3D Artwork

As I a designer I deal almost exclusively in two-dimensional material — with the exception of an interesting die-line every once in a while. Recently I have been asked more and more to do "3D" renderings of design concepts. I do most of these digital mock-ups in photoshop, but I have discovered a new tool that is quite helpful. Google Sketch Up is a 3D modeling program that is relatively easy to use. Like a slimed down version of AutoCAD, I can use Sketch Up to build basic 3D models that can be exported as flat artwork. I just use the 3d software for a basic block model, and then paint and edit everything in photoshop. I consider myself a a Graphic designer, and not a 3d artist, but it is always nice to have some tricks up the sleeve.