• Login
sketchucation logo sketchucation
  • Login
πŸ€‘ SketchPlus 1.3 | 44 Tools for $15 until June 20th Buy Now

Questions raised by Nick Sonder's videos

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved LayOut Discussions
layout
30 Posts 9 Posters 4.9k Views 9 Watching
Loading More Posts
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • P Offline
    porch_unplugged
    last edited by 3 Jan 2013, 11:46

    @bmike said:

    thats a nice technique~!
    i use a similar technique for shop drawings / structural work where i need to isolate the framing, and i don't want to 'see into' the structure.

    damn, i thought i was coming up with an original idea, it must have been implanted in my subconscious from watching one of your videos 😎 .

    @bmike said:

    changing the opacity is a nice trick... although i imagine it only works in 'hybrid' or 'raster'.

    I'm not using Layout, importing jpegs into CAD (hense the scale bar) and setting up my sheets that way.

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • P Offline
      porch_unplugged
      last edited by 3 Jan 2013, 11:49

      @mike lucey said:

      Edson, thanks for kicking this thread off. I see that we have Nick here to advise also TIG to keep us on the 'straight and narrow' πŸ˜‰

      I'd like to suggest that some kind of a simple house model is agreed / worked on so that we can all try out the various processes and compare notes. It might make life easier all around.

      What do you all think?

      I think Nick should just upload all his drawings! and we take what we need. πŸ˜›

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • M Offline
        Mike Lucey
        last edited by 3 Jan 2013, 20:33

        I doubt Nick would do that and I would not expect such. I also think that a simpler building would work for folks new to the process in LayOut.

        Support us so we can support you! Upgrade to Premium Membership!

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • P Offline
          porch_unplugged
          last edited by 3 Jan 2013, 22:01

          @mike lucey said:

          I doubt Nick would do that and I would not expect such. I also think that a simpler building would work for folks new to the process in LayOut.

          No, of course not. He has been very generous to Google/Trimble in opening up his projects and procedures.

          I think Nick has pretty much demonstrated his working process, and I've read Paul Lee's construction documents publication and I've taken bits from both, and added my own bits to form my own processes and procedures. Like I've said before, I'm not using Layout at the minute, so the processes are a little different for me.

          In gearing up my sketchup use recently, I've found it a little difficult to organise my drawings and drawing titles (probably as much to do with the outdated system we use in our office as with a new software/file use). Basically in CAD I would do a single 2D drawing per CAD file which was properly filed. But with different scenes and exports, I'm having to form new ways of filing, drawing numbering & issue sheets etc. So I was thinking of doing a few posts on how I've dealt with it. Fierce boring stuff altogether, but something I think is very important, certainly in my line of work where a strong record of drawings, specifications etc. issued, needs to be kept.

          So, when I get a bit of time, I'll do something out.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • M Offline
            Mike Lucey
            last edited by 4 Jan 2013, 11:16

            Brian, you have put your finger on a problem area when it comes to LayOut. Even Nick might admit that the way drawings have to be filed is a little haphazard at best.

            I look forward to you reading about your process and won't find it boring in the slightest. I also imagine the folks at Trimble SketchUp will be taking note. If LayOut is being put forward as a serious Con Doc production tool this area, filing, will have to be standardized I feel.

            Support us so we can support you! Upgrade to Premium Membership!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • S Offline
              sonder
              last edited by 5 Jan 2013, 00:24

              With regards to files, I organize mine the same way I did with acad. I have a main SU folder that has the base SU files and a folder named LAYOUT. I keep all drawing types as separate files in Layou, such as, site plans, floor plans, sections, etc. works very easy in keeping things organized.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • B Offline
                bmike
                last edited by 5 Jan 2013, 16:34

                @mike lucey said:

                Brian, you have put your finger on a problem area when it comes to LayOut. Even Nick might admit that the way drawings have to be filed is a little haphazard at best.

                I look forward to you reading about your process and won't find it boring in the slightest. I also imagine the folks at Trimble SketchUp will be taking note. If LayOut is being put forward as a serious Con Doc production tool this area, filing, will have to be standardized I feel.

                i've come up with this method:

                sketchup file is named 'clientname-clientname(optional).skp
                so 'tfg-bridge.skp'

                as i develop the model, i do a 'save a copy... and add the date, or occassionally some descriptive text.
                i'll often also have models that strip down to details, so things would be 'clientname-clientname-joinery.skp'
                so 'tfg-bridge.skp' and tag-bridge-joinery.skp' and tfg-bridge-steel.skp'.

                i follow the same 'save a copy as...' date formatting as above.

                this way, i try to keep the file without dates as my working file, and the other files used as backups or places to get back to specific changes, etc.

                keeping the most recent file name basic and the same means i can find it easily, and my layout drawing is always referencing the same file(s).

                i do the same with my layout files, but generally just have 1 working file, and save as versions with dates.
                i occassionally break up larger projects into 2-3 layout files, to save rendering time.

                mike beganyi design + consulting llc

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • S Offline
                  sonder
                  last edited by 5 Jan 2013, 18:21

                  Mike, I also keep dated "versions". The way I keep track is "Project Name"_1. When a change occurs it goes to "Project Name"_2. This way the most recent version is easily accessed and referenced easily. Most projects usually go to version 4 or 5, although I had one that went to 22! That was a little painful, but this method made it work easily.

                  On the deliverables which are typically .jpeg and .pdf files, I have separate folders for those. In the JPEG folder and PDF folders are sub folders that are named by date such as "130107" (2013, January 7th). Using this format is really nice as explorer keeps them in order and back up is a breeze.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • pbacotP Offline
                    pbacot
                    last edited by 5 Jan 2013, 18:31

                    Of interest, though, is how the SU and LO files relate, are broken down for a typical project, and named, keeping the linkage simple. Nick wrote about that a little before. One problem is keeping names short enough because sometimes a search field or listing will not show the full names.

                    I keep a "Temporary Folder" too. This is for test runs and misc. workflow files and keeps my project folders clear. It hasn't been cleared out for a long time, but I only put something in there that is a copy or expendable.

                    MacOSX MojaveSketchUp Pro v19 Twilight v2 Thea v3 PowerCADD

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • P Offline
                      porch_unplugged
                      last edited by 7 Jan 2013, 16:53

                      Good suggestions there.

                      I've posted another thread with my procedures. Quite similar to Nicks by the looks of it.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • P Offline
                        porch_unplugged
                        last edited by 15 Feb 2013, 09:28

                        Nick, if you're out there... I was just watching your videos again, and something stuck in my mind. You seem to be spending a lot of time doing out your linework for export to Layout, any reason why you don't use 'Section cut face'? thought it would have been ideal for your work process.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • TIGT Offline
                          TIG Moderator
                          last edited by 15 Feb 2013, 11:08

                          @porch_unplugged said:

                          Nick, if you're out there... I was just watching your videos again, and something stuck in my mind. You seem to be spending a lot of time doing out your linework for export to Layout, any reason why you don't use 'Section cut face'? thought it would have been ideal for your work process.
                          I discussed my SectionCutFace with Nick at Basecamp... What he does manually from a grouped section-cut set of edges has a few advantages: he is used to doing it his way [and had only recently 'found' plugins and has yet to 'experiment'], and he can also treat the cut window-frames etc differently from walls, as the dimensioning is to the 'hole'...

                          TIG

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • S Offline
                            sonder
                            last edited by 16 Feb 2013, 16:34

                            Tig is correct. I am a pretty much a stock SU user. I don't use many plugins at all that are related to modeling. One of my hopes this year is to experiment a little more. It doesnn't take me all that long to generate the line work for a plan with my current process. At most 10 minutes per floor with a larger home, but that does add up. I certainly would love to have the linework generated perfectly with a simple click.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • P Offline
                              porch_unplugged
                              last edited by 18 Feb 2013, 17:01

                              Section Cut face is a great tool (many thanks TIG πŸ‘ ). It doesn't always get it 100% right, but it usually takes just a few clicks to fix and then you're done.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • M Offline
                                mwm5053
                                last edited by 18 Feb 2013, 18:01

                                @mike lucey said:

                                Edson, thanks for kicking this thread off. I see that we have Nick here to advise also TIG to keep us on the 'straight and narrow' πŸ˜‰

                                I'd like to suggest that some kind of a simple house model is agreed / worked on so that we can all try out the various processes and compare notes. It might make life easier all around.

                                What do you all think?

                                Well seems no one wanted to take Mayor Mike up on his suggestion so I'll lay myself out here. The model was done using Housebuilder plugin, section cut face and Vali Architect instant roof plugin (free). In using the HB plugin it puts the layered skin on Layer0_skin so I put all the wall studs on a separate layer called stud walls to control visibility. I haven't textured this model or put moldings in it yet. I use a different model of the same house with textures and vegetation for rendering purpose.


                                House 1b.skp

                                2011 iMac
                                SU 2015 Pro, 2017 Make
                                V2 Twilight
                                macOS Sierra 10.12.5

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • S Offline
                                  sketchy
                                  last edited by 13 Mar 2013, 15:42

                                  The Sonders videos were quite an inspiration to me. I have been modeling in SketchUp and printing plans in AutoCad. I have tried LO a few times and found it too slow and unstable however I am looking forward to trying out his workflow. He seems to have created a workaround for these problems with LO. I'm happy because I sort of despise AutoCad.

                                  Anyway my question about his workflow is how he uses SU and scenes. He mentions that he doesn't like to have too many scenes per model so he will use one file as the master file and then reference this master model in other SU files but only change the scenes. Any editing of the model is done exclusively in the master file and the others are just a way to alter presentation and views of the master. Note that I am not talking about doing this in LO but in SU.

                                  This is something I didn't realize that SU could do and I'm sure it's a simple procedure but couldn't find info for how to do it. Could someone walk me through it?
                                  thanks so much.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • S Offline
                                    sonder
                                    last edited by 13 Mar 2013, 17:11

                                    Hi Sketchy:

                                    You simply open a new SU file. Under File/Import, you select the file established as your base file. It then inserts the file as a component into the new file. After you edit the base file, right click or select the inserted component and select "reload". It will then update the file based upon the last save.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • S Offline
                                      sketchy
                                      last edited by 13 Mar 2013, 18:26

                                      Thanks for the quick reply, I thought it would be something along those lines. So I imagine you lock it as a component and then just change styles, scenes, and sections to display as you like.

                                      Thanks again for your contributions and willingness to share your well thought out workflow.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • M Offline
                                        mwm5053
                                        last edited by 14 Mar 2013, 14:34

                                        @ Sonder I've been following this but you lost me when you said "File/Import " ,only options I see are Image file, texture or match photo

                                        2011 iMac
                                        SU 2015 Pro, 2017 Make
                                        V2 Twilight
                                        macOS Sierra 10.12.5

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • S Offline
                                          sketchy
                                          last edited by 14 Mar 2013, 17:53

                                          @mwm, if you select "File > Import... > Files of type" then change to .skp you will then be able to import a sketchup model as Sonder described.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • 1
                                          • 2
                                          • 1 / 2
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          Buy SketchPlus
                                          Buy SUbD
                                          Buy WrapR
                                          Buy eBook
                                          Buy Modelur
                                          Buy Vertex Tools
                                          Buy SketchCuisine
                                          Buy FormFonts

                                          Advertisement