XD I was called CHEATER from my friend when I told him about this idea, too, haha. The technique saves a lot, A LOT of times and I'm so happy that you guys are doing that too! Thank you so much!~
I usually don't modify the models themselves (unless I made the model), I just completely change what the drawing on top of the model looks like. I really just use the models for the general composition of my panels, not so much for tracing.
In any case, if the models are free and you're drawing over them, you'll be fine. :> You don't need to go and do percentages or any of that stuff.
If you're only using them as a reference to draw from then that's fine! It's not like you're putting those models into a game and claiming you made them.
If it eats at you so much you can just do what I do and build your own rooms. It's not hard at all and you can have a constant reference at your disposal.
yeah okay I understand now!~ by the way, I know a software named Floor Plans, Its very simple and easy to use when I want to creates rooms for my characters
Thank you I understand now, Can i ask you one more question? Do you know how to export the 3d models to .png file without the background behind? I mean, just only the models' pixel. I dont know the keyword to search for tutorials only about that case.
If you look there are a bunch of tutorials and such by yuumei of Fisheyes placebo doing just this http://yuumei-art.tumblr.com/post/14846239754483 so even the big artist are using 3d programs such as google sketch up and design doll for their models.
first thing i want to know how hard is it ? does it require some reading and experimenting ?
how much do you have to know before you can use it properly
If you're talking about using 3D models to make your backgrounds/characters, it's not terribly difficult. You will have to look up certain tutorials to learn the program, like Blender for example, and then you would need to know how to use it's various tools to create the background object. Characters may be a bit more difficult because they require knowing anatomy of your character or of a person.
It saves hours of of drawing and redrawing things to make it look correct in the long run.
aha..i see your point , okay then il give it a wild try...hope my pc doesnt explode from the program 
Yes! By all means and ABSOLUTELY use sketch ups free models for reference. However, I really do suggest that you practice building your own models, as there will be a point when you're going to need something really specific and the free models won't work.
My comic uses Sketch up to create the backgrounds (though 95% of our sets are modeled, rather than free stuff out of necessity). My husband takes screen caps of the model at certain angles and matches them to the character art. He then uses Illustrator to vector and greyscale the backgrounds, and then it goes to color and texture in photoshop.
Here's a few examples of our sets: 
We also use it for props and vehicles which is suuuuper helpful! 
Ah, unfortunately I don't know! I just screenshot the scene and draw over it. A quick search brought this up, is this the kind of think you're looking for? http://www.sketchupartists.org/tutorials/sketchup-and-photoshop/sketchup-2d-image-export-with-alpha-mask/84
I admit, I've done this a few times. When a scene required a specific camera angle for the background that I can't draw very well normally, I modeled a simplified version of the scene in Blender, took a screenshot of it, and drew over it, adding details as I went.
I kinda do that for Captain Ufo5, however I susually retrace the exported image by hand because I don't like the way exported 2D images of Sketchup models look.
I have used SketchUp. Initially it's been helpful for getting me trained in doing backgrounds, and I'm using it less and less now, but I have no bones about using it again. I'll put my hand up and say my background skills suck and SketchUp has been a good learning tool. Personally I don't think a large proportion of a readership will care how you do backgrounds.
I've said it before elsewhere but I'll say it again here. It really depends on what you want to do/be/achieve.
A lot of people see themselves having careers as comic artists or concept artists or whatever. That being the case, I definitely think you should learn the fundamentals of character and background drawing the 'old fashioned' way, whatever that entails. You'll need to be proficient with gesture, anatomy, expression, perspective etc.
If, on the other hand, you just want to tell a story via the medium of webcomics, do whatever the hell you want. Whatever the hell works. Whatever will get what's on your mind on to the screen. 3D programs are just another tool, like a ruler is a tool for straight lines.
Personally, I come from a more traditional background, so I've done all the legwork. The Loomis method, 1pt, 2pt, 3pt perspective drawing, life drawing, studied gesture, painting etc. I know the ins and outs to a degree that can get me by. But when it comes to my comic, I just want to tell my story in the fastest way possible. I don't have any dreams or visions as working as an artist in any capacity. So I use these programs all the time. They're great. You can set up an entire scene pretty quickly, change camera angle, change camera, play with the lighting, and of course, get perfect perspective every time. Most importantly to me, I can eliminate the sketching phase. I go straight to inking now. It's a huge time saver.
Another thing that it saves on is re-drawing. I very rarely have to redraw something now, whereas earlier, something wouldn't look right, and I'd get frustrated and overthink it and waste so much time on that.
I personally use Blender, I have no experience with Sketchup and don't know which would be better to use. I prefer Blender just because of how many tools it give you to work with and animation ability, but as I said I don't know what sketchup comes with or what it does so it's up to you which you choose. And I believe sketchup is free, but I know Blender is.
4 months later
If I'm using models from 3d warehouse in my backgrounds and I'm intending to make profit from my comics, is that legal?
@shirleyzhang225 Yeah, you'll be fine. Plenty of artists do this without issue.
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