Construction Documents In Sketchup How To Change

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Imagining how this could work gives me a headache.Sketchup models are so slow for anything that isn't very simple. And the workflow is basically start over when anything substantial changes. Usually they're not created with much precision - and doing so for anything non-orthogonal is pretty hard.I guess if you're doing kitchen renovations or a tool shed it would be fine. In my experience it's use is limited to study models and quick modeling to provide perspective views. It wouldn't be so good for anything which requires a team to document, nor anything that is likely to change as the design is developed.

The modeler needs to be careful too - wouldn't trust it to most of my coworkers. Non Seq - I'm a fan of Revit as well. Any program has its ups and downs.To your question - why someone would want to produce CDs out of it? - well, it really depends. Producing CD's from SKP has a lot of compelling appeal.

For many offices, they build an SKP model, and then essentially start over with CAD docs, so the basic idea of just continuing forward uninterrupted does hold some logic. Also, the program is about 500 bucks - a tiny fraction of the Autodesk Suite. And, there is a simplcity factor - something that makes even more sense after you've clicked through 72 Revit dialog boxes to adjust seven controls over a particular wood grain.Again, I can't imagine the new bazillion SF airport terminal documented in SKP - but I'm sure I could knock out a school addition.Sketchup Layout has improved, and viewports update, decent doc tools, etc etc., it's really pretty cool - not sure what midlander is talking about when saying 'nor anything that is likely to change as the design is developed'. Changes aren't a big problem.NonSeq - you're using 'all of Sketchup' - I'd be interested to see what you do in sketchup, although this forum isn't much for show and tell.

Our office tried a kind of pilot for SketchUp + Layout on a small custom hung-ceiling element (we were the architects of record for the whole thing, this was just a small part). It seemed to be alright for something that small in scale, but I believe the general consensus was that it took too long and would not be viable on anything much bigger than that. The guy who executed that portion was our top SU guy in the office; other than him I think maybe 2 other people in the office could have even come close to executing it. It included extensive Ruby plugins. Personally I would not even consider SU for construction docs.

Since that time (maybe 2 years ago) I've moved myself steadily away from SU and toward Rhino; the precision is significantly better and the software handles larger models much better. No breakdowns either. I'll be curious once I graduate to start seeing if I can setup page layouts relatively easy with it. Saint, I consider my use of SU full because I've pimped a version of 7-pro with enough 3rd party goodies to the point where I can model meshes and splines with ease for example. Not that I would given the choice but sometimes that's not up to me. I've not liked the layout option of the newer versions but I can see the appeal since it's lack of financial investment will make many oversee it's draw-backs.Personally, SU is problematic with the level of detail I am accustom to and would never consider it, even if the job fits within the software's already restricted capacity. Architexture, depends on the school's projects and the quality of the program.Most students come out knowing enough CAD, Revit and/or Rhino to convince an employer they can draft at an entry-level.

Everyone claims they are 10 out of 10 in X software, non-of-them are, maybe level 2 or 3 on average when leaving school, but at least they have a foundation to build on.Sketchup literally takes 20min to master so if someone comes in with only SU skills looking to work in an office, they will not get very far. Aim higher if you want to be competitive. Most students come out knowing enough CAD, Revit and/or Rhino to convince an employer they can draft at an entry-level.

Construction Documents In Sketchup How To Change Pdf

Everyone claims they are 10 out of 10 in X software, non-of-them are, maybe level 2 or 3 on average when leaving school, but at least they have a foundation to build on.This is why I roll my eyes whenever I see people giving themselves ratings based on their skill level.If you're going to give some quantifiable thing, use years experience with the program. It's also a little suspect if you don't have professional experience, because you do different things. I have used AutoCAD for quite a few years in school, but I didn't do much with sheets or coordination, so I'm really good at some things, and awful at others.I also think this always comes back to being able to use a program vs. Being able to create the content. I don't even mean good design. You can be a pro at how to use 3ds max, know the program inside and out, but that doesn't mean you can make attractive renderings. I know a bunch of people that this applies to.

I would not use SU either based on what ive seen in the office. But I hadnt heard about Ruby plugins.

Who knows, maybe it works. We model in Rhino cuz Im comfortable with it and the accuracy isnt a problem. Drafting is still in ACAD.

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I dont see that ever changing, unless we switch to REVIT or other BIM soft.@toosaturated, I understand that desire, but the trades the contractor use take their estimates from the sets they get. If a chunk is missing from interior elevations because you have it covered somewhere else seems a good way to create unnecessary problems.

Construction Documents In Sketchup How To Change Computer

Redundancy is essential to construction. I am in Japan though. Perhaps it is not necessary elsewhere to work that way? Just from my experience, most people don't use SketchUp well in firms. The model is organized sloppy and then people blame the software for bad end results. You get out of it what you put it in. The software is all about customization and efficient workflow through Ruby scripts, something no other 3d software is doing at all.

Sketchup

Each firm has the ability to maximize time efficiency and customization if they develop their own workflow.I started in a new firm that was still using AutoCAD for every single model, elevation, plan, door schedule, etc. They haven't switched to Revit because of price, learning curve or other reasons. SketchUp would clearly be a good solution and when keyboard shortcuts are applied and Ruby scripts are added and custom templates are made on Layout, moderate sized buildings can be finished in days, not weeks or months. That's a big time saver and I don't believe any other construction document solution can be customized to achieve the efficiency of SketchUp and Layout because everyone treats the software like a kids toy.Just seems a bit annoying to think our profession could be making so much more money and less time spent in CD phase and less profits going back to Autodesk.

I like where this thread is going. I have been a Sketchup user for a long time now and use both sketchup and layout for my profession. While I understand how layout works regarding scaling off a sketchup view port, I can realize a lot utility from being able to draft traditionally in layout as well.There are lots of times where I need to communicate a simple project with subs, vendors, co-workers.

All of whom require CD’s, be it preliminary or final. Lots of times I dont require the model to communicate the scope and having to model it just to turn around and convert it to a floor plan or elevation just becomes extra steps in the process. I would be able to draft it and annotate it in the same amount of time I would model it, thus increasing my productivity.

Construction Documents In Sketchup How To Change

It would not replace the modeling, just allow me to chose my work flow depending on the project I am working on.Where I would not approach a complicated project this way, I would fully be in favor of adding this functionality to layout. All the functionality to do this already exists in the program, it simply requires adding the ability to draw at set scale sizes. I have to agree with Dave here sorry guys.

There are distinct benefits in having the 3D model, everyone was born seeing the world in 3D. We were all taught to relate a 2D drawing back to 3D and once we know how it becomes second nature. I think the point is that many customers do not understand the 2D side. I can not count how many times I have heard a customer say 'If I only knew it was going to be that size, or look like that I would have changed it before construction.It seams to me the hard thing is drawing in 3D and then creating screens and styles yet we have Plugins to do this.With layout and Sketchup you have the best of both worlds. Andrew,I can not agree more with the value of the 3D model and how that allows me to communicate projects with customers, and the fact that they don’t understand CD’s. However, I then have the inverse problem that other trade professionals don’t understand 3D models (Let alone the ability to share the large files, or their ability to open them even if I got them the file) A model of a residential space does not tell my electrician where the outlets are going to be, the amp requirements for a stove, how many recessed lights, where the breaker box is located, that an extra line is required for floor heat.

This example only relates to one trade. Often I have 8- 15 trades, all requiring different information that the model will not communicate.My position requires two very different types of communication.

On one side I need to present a picture to my client, that being the 3D model. They do not care about the size of the waste line for the toilet. However, where my plumber is concerned they care a lot about the required size of a waste line for a toilet, as well as the supply line and the vent stack.As I have two requirements for communication one visual for the client and two specific for the trades, we have a system of two programs to help us with these different lines of communication; Sketchup and Layout. It seems like different users have different needs for the software we use, and as a good developer, it seems ideal to me that they offer the ability to the user to use the software as they find fit. Drawing in CAD or SketchUp, etc is all done on a 1:1 scale. The place one actually gets a scale is in the printing.

With SketchUp set to parallel projection and top view, the drawing can be printed to scale (2D). Set the scale in the Print menu. One cannot print a 3D drawing to scale as there truly is no scale in a 3D drawing as it is in perspective and lines diverge/converge.In the Print window (go to FilePrint) make sure you uncheck “Fit to Page” in the Print Size section. Not doing so will defeat any scale settings.The settings for 3/4' scale would be:In Print Out.75'In SketchUp 1’.