Sketchup value...

pixelmonkey380

i've been playing with sketchup for around 18 months. i've done almost all i can do with the free version but dont yet see how the use of the tool is profitable.
link to the models i posted on 3dwarehouse

yes, it is addicting, but application to a work environment i'm not seeing.

can someone explain to me the uses for this as a job or profit?
thanks
chris

Ecuadorian

Well, I guess most people who use it for work are related to Architecture, where you use it for design & visualization.

Marian

In the design bussiness, at least automotive design, sketchup is not seen very well, the standard in designing is the autodesk products and solidworks and of course there is a strong emphasis on hand sketching.

I think SU can be profitable, but you have to find a right niche for it and have to learn how to make very complex shapes with the appropriate plugins.

Other than that, you can't expect to make money just by knowing how to model, even if you are a pro with 3ds max or others.

Besides, money is not everything, FUN is .

Click Draw

I agree, it all depends on what your profession is. Any type of job that you can benefit by using visual examples and renderings makes this a huge pro! If you are an account, then it is useless. Some people I know use it because they enjoy what you can do with it. If you are looking to justify purchasing a pro version, only you know if it's worth it in the end. What do you do for a living?
Jeff

pixelmonkey380

@click draw said:

What do you do for a living?

fed administration for audits and investigations

pays the bills
chris

Click Draw

Well, for your position, I can't see any use for it. So unless you love to just putter around with it, it would be hard to justify purchasing it....job wise.
Jeff

honoluludesktop

Another way to look at it is as a tool, no different from a pencil. As a tool, it has no relationship to design talent, or the credentials to work in your industry.

dyppmo

I'm just starting to make money using sketchup.

I help to plan events in and around Boston.
Some of the things I've been paid to do were...
Model traffic flow around street closures, show pedestrian flow, describe an area to be a beer garden for liquor license applications(licensed area, exits, security), tent layouts, table layouts, stages, calculate usable area to set guest capacity for fire permits, I can brand a booth with a potential client's logos for the sales team... the list goes on.

I helped with Sail Boston, WFNX/Phoenix Best Music Poll, Harvard Football, Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Fest and many, many smaller functions.

A few hotels have hired me to model their function rooms in different layouts to be included in the sales package.

I have an unfinished web site if you want to check it out.

Event3D.blogspot.com

It's just thrown together to have something to link to for clients.