Architectural Modelling - structuring your model

bgtorque

Hi All

I'm looking at designing my own home, it'll probably be timber frame or SIP's construction, but may be brick and block. After seeing many of the wonderful construction drawings in the Layout forums I was wondering how one goes about modelling the house. How do they use layers, components, groups etc. Are rooms separate groups or components or is it done by grouping walls and ceilings, floors etc. If I wanted to run plumbing pipework and show insulation material, electrical runs,etc? I'm open to any views on this from anybody that has had experience that they are happy to pass on?

Also, if anybody has, or can recommend models on the 3D Warehouse that have all of this structure and detail in place for me to look at I would be grateful. I'm from the UK, so this may make the construction technique and codes slightly different from elsewhere, but nothing too significant I shouldn't imagine.

Thanks in anticipation.

porch_unplugged

Hi,

check out these threads

construction & working drawings
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=15911

Tips for drawing a floorplan
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=49952

or watch Nick Sonders videos
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=49295

are you a designer/architect, or just someone who wants to have a go at it?

I don't really go into much detail in my main model. I'd consider the detail to be similar to 1:100 or 1:50 scale in 2D autocad. I then have construction details, door & window schedules, mechanical & electrical layouts etc separate (or sometimes on the main model, but more detailed). If you try and detail every single thing in the one model it'll get very slow.

i generally have layers similar to what i use in autocad, plus additional ones to control visibility. e.g. walls, roof, external doors and windows, internal doors and windows, floors, ceilings, rainwater goods, furniture, kitchen units, sanitary ware. draw in layer 0, make a group or component and then change to the appropriate layer. so, for example, draw all your walls, group and then put on 'walls' layer. group or component everything, don't have loose geometry.

send me a pm if you want to discuss further. I'm in Ireland, so very similar construction methods to you.

bgtorque

Firstly, thanks very much for the information Brian, it's certainly very useful. Those Nick Sonder video's are really very good and he's produced them very well. He should consider doing a series, he could even charge a little bit for them, i'm sure there would be plenty of people who would be interested.

In answer to your question, i'm a an Aerospace/Mechanical Engineer by trade, but looking to design and build my own home on a plot I have. My intention is to do a lot of the design work to get to know my plot and understand the comprimises that I might have to make a long the way, based on practicality, cost, etc. Ultimately i'd like to pass something on to an architect as a package and have them take my design and assess it, make any alterations for regulations or code, plus change anything that might not be suitable.

I will send you a PM as you've kindly offered, as this is something i'd like to look into. I've currewntly got the free version of Sketchup, but am keen to upgrade to the full version to give me 2D capability, but would like to evolve a basic concept design first. This kind of takes me to my original question as to if any house model exists, like a Sonders model that is available to see and play around with the model setup?

porch_unplugged

@bgtorque said:

Firstly, thanks very much for the information Brian, it's certainly very useful. Those Nick Sonder video's are really very good and he's produced them very well. He should consider doing a series, he could even charge a little bit for them, i'm sure there would be plenty of people who would be interested.

In answer to your question, i'm a an Aerospace/Mechanical Engineer by trade, but looking to design and build my own home on a plot I have. My intention is to do a lot of the design work to get to know my plot and understand the comprimises that I might have to make a long the way, based on practicality, cost, etc. Ultimately i'd like to pass something on to an architect as a package and have them take my design and assess it, make any alterations for regulations or code, plus change anything that might not be suitable.

I will send you a PM as you've kindly offered, as this is something i'd like to look into. I've currewntly got the free version of Sketchup, but am keen to upgrade to the full version to give me 2D capability, but would like to evolve a basic concept design first. This kind of takes me to my original question as to if any house model exists, like a Sonders model that is available to see and play around with the model setup?

I don't really do much on the 3d warehouse to be honest, but I'm sure others will point you in a good direction. You could start with some famous architectural houses, and start from there.

I can send you a project I'm currently working on, and you can take a look at it and see if you get anything out of it. Nick's videos are good, and they were a great motivator for me to make the change from cad to sketchup.

bgtorque

Thanks very much for letting have a look at how you work, i'll gladly take you up on your offer. I appreciate the help

sonder

Thanks for the compliments folks! This is actually a great subject, as I spend most of my time in the SU model, prepping it for LO. This makes your layer structure very important. Some real quick basics I use in my workflow:

Group by floor level (even if there are mid levels)
Assign overall layer control to each level (first floor, second floor, roof, etc)
Within each group, model using components and groups as much as possible.
Immediately establish your scenes for LO

Number 1 and 2 let you toggle overall views with a single layer, regardless of the layers assigned to individual groups and components contained in the main groups.

Number 3, for obvious reasons, simpifies the never ending processes of changes.

Number 4, allows you to see necessary editing in the model for your final scenes right from the start.

These are just a couple of basic rules I follow on each model to help speed up the flow.

ArCAD-UK

Hi Ben, the UK Building Regulations never get any simpler and unless you are fully familiar with the latest construction requirements I would save a lot of your time and keep things as simple as possible so that your architect can pick up the basics and then make it comply. Nick's basic method will work well for you, but I would avoid getting bogged down in construction detail if someone else is going to handle the building regulations application and compliance. As a rough guide work on the basis of the external envelope being 300 thick for walls, roof & ground floor. Your size and orientation of windows will also have an impact on the final solution.

bgtorque

Gees, you guys are helpful! I really do appreciate all of your comments and advice. Credit where credit is due Mr. Sonder, they are really useful videos and some beautiful models and drawings. I'd be printing and framing some of those bad boys to put up on show!
I've used SU to produce some simple schemes in my day job (Mechanical Engineer) which I then export out as an iges for our draughtsmen to import into our CAD system. it works ok, except import exporting from different versions (I have to import as an STL and export as an iges). My point being is that I have used it to a basic level and am starting to understand how/when to apply groups and components and to setup scenes. I guess i'm trying to think ahead and get my structure in place first before I draw anything, so your comments and advice are helping to clear things up in this respect.