Trimble is having SketchUp pay its way!
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News has just come to light about SketchUp file integration into Trimble's BIM-to-Field Capabitities. The press release dated July 30th 2012 here, http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/30/4673406/trimble-extends-its-bim-to-field.html appears to be 'by Trimble', so I imagine accurately outlines intentions.
This to me is the first solid indication of where SketchUp is now going. Its much along the lines I was expecting, enhancement of Trimble systems / products. This is no bad thing as I feel SketchUp could well be getting back to its original roots / direction and a huge improvement on the 'Google' advert orientated direction over the past 6 years BUT I still have some niggles and I also imagine other may have.
The article is quite informative, if somewhat single minded.
The article reads (in blue),
%(#0000BF)[SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 30, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) introduced today the first integration of SketchUp
file import capabilities into the Trimble Field Link layout software. By supporting model data from Tekla, Autodesk, and now SketchUp, Trimble extends its capabilities in bringing constructible Building Information Modeling (BIM) solutions from the office to the field. Recently acquired by Trimble from Google, SketchUp Pro is used by architects; general, steel and concrete contractors; and mechanical, engineering and plumbing (MEP) contractors to easily create 3D models for visualization of residential and commercial building construction projects.]I hope that what Trimble says here is not their total overview of who actually uses SketchUp Pro. The building sector users listed above are but a small selection of the the overall SketchUp Pro user base. This is worrying to say the least! I'd suggest that Mr Pat Bohle, general manager of Trimble's Building Construction Division pay a visit to SketchUcation and see for himself the diverse group that use SketchUp Pro and have driven its development via requests and delivery of various independent plugins over the past 6+ years which in turn has broadened SketchUp Free and Pros's appeal to many millions of multi-discipline users Worldwide.
%(#0000BF)[The Trimble Field Link layout software is part of Trimble's construction layout solutions that allow general and MEP contractors to locate and then stake field points from 2D and 3D design models. With the addition of SketchUp import support, Trimble Field Link now allows contractors to take their 3D SketchUp Pro models from the office into the field for quick site verification and viability testing of the proposed prototype.
The Trimble Field Link layout software is part of Trimble's construction layout solutions that allow general and MEP contractors to locate and then stake field points from 2D and 3D design models. With the addition of SketchUp import support, Trimble Field Link now allows contractors to take their 3D SketchUp Pro models from the office into the field for quick site verification and viability testing of the proposed prototype.
"By adding SketchUp model import support into our Trimble Field Link construction layout solutions, we further connect the design process to the actual construction phases," said Pat Bohle, general manager of Trimble's Building Construction Division. "Having the ability to take SketchUp prototypes into the field for quality assurance/quality control measures as well as to easily test the feasibility of these mock-ups in project conditions, allows contractors to reduce risk and contain project costs.]
The "Trimble Tablet"
As an building professional I welcome this work-flow. I had read that Trimble's approach to BIM was going to be, what I like to call, 'Two-Way Street Building Design'! By this I mean that the building information work-flow would not be totally designer lead / delivered to the site as a fait accompli to the constructors for them to 'get on with it', so to speak. This is much the way things are done today in many of the smaller projects at least.
The Trimble Field Link for Structures details may be found here. The demo video gives a good overview of how things work.
It crossed my mind as I was watching the demo video that Augmented Reality might at some future time be brought into the picture (excuse the pun
) Companies like AR-media demonstrate what can be achieved!All in all, its good news, but as I said its definately a building construction orientated direction that Trimble appears to be taking SketchUp on!
What are your thoughts?
Mike
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It does seem pretty well expected, Mike. I do concur with you regarding the two way capabilities; I see SU being utilised a lot more throughout the building / construction industry in the coming years which can only strengthen the quality of data coming back to me!!
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Not sure about the two way street bit unless I am mis-interpretting the workflow. I have always worked on a premeasured site survey and designed the building to fit. If the survey is accurate the building should fit and I shouldn't need a secondary varification, the builder can just "get on with it!".
I like the AR idea but my client's don't have pockets that deep.
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.... if you watched the demo video you probably would agree the the 'Trimble Field Link for Structures' system is being used for setting-out work. I imagine this process will be expanded over time.
Of course I realise that these days the site surveys are highly accurate but they normally take boundaries at face value during survey that sometimes should not to be relied on as when construction starts, 3rd parties can often intervene and set the true (legal) boundary situation straight. I have come across such situations. Having a system like the TFL in play would be a valuable tool for quick and efficient remedial action.
As regards the "fait accompli" comment, this was my read / take on the current situation. I really think the current work-flow, Surveyor - Designer - Quantity Surveyor - Builder, results in the builder being delivered construction documents that are not open to much 'flexibility' due to the complexity of current day stringent Building Regulations.
An small error / oversight in the early stages of the project can be exacerbated by the time a set of Con Docs get down the chain to the builder and if the builder is on a tight work schedule, as often he is, these errors may again get overlooked totally at worst or cause communication delays at best. Having systems in place that help to immediately identify and remedy these errors can be no bad thing.
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Just watched the demo video, it's a marker in their deployment of SU but not a game changer. I think we have a long way to go before we see SU BIM released.
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I can see this tablet being very useful in any number of ways....but curious as to cost $.
As a residential builder I could (one man) field layout/ck:
Better board placement & elevations.....& dbl ck prior to conc. pour.
Do same for walks/drives/landscape plantings etc........really just place/verify any points of importance from SU/CAD.Can't seem to find a $ on the net.......probably means $10k+ US.
Charlie
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@unknownuser said:
As an building professional I welcome this work-flow
I don't necessarily. This may apply a little in Civil work, but I think responsibilities would be confused leading to more arguments or legal battles.
Also why is this guy talking about "fait accompli"? Since when (I mean besides FLW)? The construction documents describe the intent of the design. The contractor is the one who ultimately figures out how to make it work. So you make the documents (models) even more exacting and somehow that helps?
My experience in smaller projects is that it is really more collaborative and flexible.
Some architects would put on the drawings: "Do not scale these plans. Written dimensions govern..." etc. This would be a case of saying "Please scale these plans exactly to the site, with laser accuracy." (This should provide more work for modelers, hopefully paid for by the client.)
Edit: A direct field to SU connection IS exciting though.
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I see this as purely wonderful. The interface between the architect and the land surveyor just got much easier for me. This will be a wonderul tool as well early in design to test home positioning to view in the field (pretty big aspect of home design along with solar orientation where I am).
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@pbacot said:
@unknownuser said:
Some architects would put on the drawings: "Do not scale these plans. Written dimensions govern..." etc. This would be a case of saying "Please scale these plans exactly to the site, with laser accuracy." (This should provide more work for modelers, hopefully paid for by the client.)
Edit: A direct field to SU connection IS exciting though.
I've found it more difficult to model not to scale. I've removed that note from all my plans and actually now tell contractors the opposite - "go ahead and scale them"
I think this could result in even more collaboration as having a field model during foundation set and framing would really help speed up the understanding of the build.
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@unknownuser said:
Can't seem to find a $ on the net.......probably means $10k+ US.
Almost. On SDG's site it's available for 3695 $
It looks like it can survive everything.
But it comes without fish...
[flash=300,225:359x3fu0]http://www.youtube.com/v/nQ9ll__0yVg[/flash:359x3fu0] -
Wow! All they really need now is a slick plugin that makes it easier to model the structure onto the surveyed land... maybe there is someone working on something like that...
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@unknownuser said:
Wow! All they really need now is a slick plugin that makes it easier to model the structure onto the surveyed land... maybe there is someone working on something like that...
And who better to do that, Aaron...?
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@unknownuser said:
I've found it more difficult to model not to scale. I've removed that note from all my plans and actually now tell contractors the opposite - "go ahead and scale them"
I think this could result in even more collaboration as having a field model during foundation set and framing would really help speed up the understanding of the build.
..... and when we think about it, surely paper plans (blueprints) will shortly be a thing of the past on building / fabrication sites now that pads / slates are becoming so common.
I think the current system of 2D plan production for site building / work is on its last legs. Cloud computing coupled with Pads / Slates is the way thing will go I imagine and I have a feeling that SketchUp could 'play' as a full-forward in this game as it would be friendly to all in the process.
On this subject! Its strongly rumored that the iPad will soon have a little brother with a 7.85-inch screen. I would like to see a big brother iPad with a screen size roughly equivalent to A4. This size with retina display should be capable of displaying the most complicated of Con Doc on a site. And I am sure many builders would adopt this tech rather that trying to open A1 sheets on wet and windy sites!
This kind of tech could also virtually eliminate the requirement for the designers / tech supervisors to pay site visits. Imagine this set up, a big bother iPad with built in cameras in the hands of the builder as he goes around the project talking / discussion the ins and outs with the designers back in the office with all kinds of data at their fingertips (really with their feet up drinking coffee) which would allow for nearly instant informative and accurate decision making that could only result in better projects being built.
When you think about it, all the tech is current in place for such a system! Maybe this is the way Trimble SketchUp should be going with their rumored BIM!
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@unknownuser said:
Wow! All they really need now is a slick plugin that makes it easier to model the structure onto the surveyed land... maybe there is someone working on something like that...
slick plugin = landscape architect and/or civil engineer
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@mike lucey said:
On this subject! Its strongly rumored that the iPad will soon have a little brother with a 7.85-inch screen. I would like to see a big brother iPad with a screen size roughly equivalent to A4. This size with retina display should be capable of displaying the most complicated of Con Doc on a site. And I am sure many builders would adopt this tech rather that trying to open A1 sheets on wet and windy sites!
This kind of tech could also virtually eliminate the requirement for the designers / tech supervisors to pay site visits. Imagine this set up, a big bother iPad with built in cameras in the hands of the builder as he goes around the project talking / discussion the ins and outs with the designers back in the office with all kinds of data at their fingertips (really with their feet up drinking coffee) which would allow for nearly instant informative and accurate decision making that could only result in better projects being built.
A few years back I spoke to a design professional who said that the greatest advancement in the design/build industry he had seen in the past few decades was the fax machine. Not software or survey/construction hardware, but the fax. In this vein, I think that PDF, the first and most widely accepted digital drawing format, would get my vote for the "best" way to collaborate or share information.
I think this is a shame. I really think that technology is at a point where we can do exactly what Mike is saying. There is not reason that an architect cannot visit a site with a digital copy of his/her drawings. Or that a builder should not be able to mark up a plan set in the field digitally and send it back to the designer.
We are in the future...
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Agreed. I am in the process of going almost completely paperless. A couple of our local building departments are starting up the process of digital reviews. That said, I just bought a new HP T790 plotter
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@unknownuser said:
Agreed. I am in the process of going almost completely paperless. A couple of our local building departments are starting up the process of digital reviews.
Just hope by that they don't mean dwg or dwf. Will be nice. On some jobs we've just uploaded to print service and what people ordered (DL pdf or prints) was up to them. But no movement around here to go digital at the building dept. I am surprised it's more advanced up there on the "hill".
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I'm not in any way knocking Trimble's buyout of SU. But for anyone to say that the ability to use SKP's in Trimble's devices as a "direction" of their intent, is not logical.
You do not need to own the SU engine to use a drawing data file, which we call a SKP.
You only need to understand how SU structures its data, and any good Ruby magician knows that well.It then becomes obvious that Trimble has some other strategic plan to either somehow use the engine in its products (royalty free) or upgrade SU to better suit the community's needs, as well as their own, again without paying royalties and navigating Google's political/bureaucratic landscape.
Hopefully, upgrading SU in the spirit it has been for a long time, and NOT relegating all of the good new stuff to only the Pro version is the better way. Maybe putting some older Pro only features into new free versions would be an act of good faith on Trimble's part.
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Hi Joel,
You may well be right, however its the first instance we are publicly aware of where Trimble are leveraging SketchUp and surely that could to some degree looked on as a direction
Mike
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@pbacot said:
@unknownuser said:
Agreed. I am in the process of going almost completely paperless. A couple of our local building departments are starting up the process of digital reviews.
Just hope by that they don't mean dwg or dwf. Will be nice. On some jobs we've just uploaded to print service and what people ordered (DL pdf or prints) was up to them. But no movement around here to go digital at the building dept. I am surprised it's more advanced up there on the "hill".
No, it will be PDF format. There are too many variations between acad users to make review of cad files work. It still needs to be a static output form that can be produced by different programs like old school paper.
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