(Architectural Plugin) PlusSpec
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@utiler:
Since all the mess is cleaned up, I wanted to say thanks for posting. This extension? looks like a real contender, even though the movie said it was set at 5x speed. -
Yes Tim, I've been waiting for a few months to have a crack at it as I've been talking to Andrew here in OZ about it for some time. First impressions is that it is the most professionally built holistic toolset I have seen!
Can't wait to try it out!!!
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to couple the model building ability with the spec writing will be impressive. crossing fingers for imperial.
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You'll be catered for, Kris.
But be patient...
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I wish someone would build something like this that was more metal building friendly!
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@utiler:
Andrew Dwight has commented in the American Institute of Architects forums for special interest groups. There is a discussion ongoing about the cost of some well known CAD and BIM software and some of the changes in the way it is now marketed. I was surprised to see his post on one hand because he is in Australia, I guess? But obviously his RubySketch Site caters all over the world.
Andrew merely hinted at a possibility in that posting without naming any product.
Not long now before it's viral
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@Kurt:
You probably already have ProfileBuilder, right? So, if I may ask, are you looking for a tool that automates like a kit? Or am I missing something. -
Hi guys thanks Andrew for posting. I did actually post the video to test in house but forgot to push private on YouTube and planned on posting it today but Utilier has been so keen to show everybody he posted it for us.
The actual link to the site for Beta testing is here.
http://www.rubysketch.com/software
The YouTube link above is correct for a short time as I noticed a spelling mistake ( I am just a builder
)The video is here when I change the other http://www.rubysketch.com/plusspec/
I would like about 30 testers of all different back grounds.
The Beta version is stable and very powerful. It is not the be all and end all to Sketchup but it does add functionality that always pushed a lot of people away from Sketchup (personally I think we have a plug-in that will bring more builders, ArchiCAD users, newbies and Revit users over to Sketchup and that is good for all of us). When using the software I suggest using it with a template that I created. I am yet to post online as we are still working on completing the PlusSpec site.
The video was sped up by 5 times when drawing the slab as we typed in the measures manually so we got symmetry. If you like drawing on a grid you can easily do it at this speed.
The biggest benefit of the software is everything you draw is calculated and dropped into a bill of quantities. It is visual and fast.
The first time you open the dialogue box you will notice a 2 second lag. This will only happen the first time you open the tool.One thing really important to remember is the wall tool draws from the structural wall. EG a cavity brick veneer wall will be drawn from the frame. I will take advice from the BETA testers on how they like to work but to me being a builder it just seems logical as this I how I build houses.
The plug-in creates 10 different types of wall structure and will estimate all of the material as it draws and it will reduce quantities as you add windows. If you choose you can do structural specification but you will need to run them via an engineer before you build. Everything depends on the load above. (we are working on it but it will not be in the next 2 or 4 releases).
The BETA version has been designed for single and two storey construction with concrete floors. The lower roof plug in is in ALPHA so unfortunately you will not get in this release but you will get it.We built this plug-in out of necessity for my business. It will work in imperial and metric but very little testing has been done. I need to add the Stud material and American sizes for products. In Australia a piece of 24 is actually 9045 (4*2) so I can see why it would create confusion. Stage 1 of BETA will be frustrating for imperial users so only register if you have time.
The days of taking 40 hours to do a cost estimate will soon be over and I will share some great ways to get paid for a quotation with the BETA testers on a private forum.
Good luck with it guys and I hope to have the licenses ready by the end of today but I have to test it all works so be as patient as you can. You will definitely have it by the end of the week.
There will be 2 or 3 versions of BETA and the initial stage will be 30 guys picked by me. I encourage you all to register on both RubySketch and PlusSpec as the newsletter will come from RubySketch to minimise our cost.
I was contemplating doing the BETA through a private link which could happen here at Sketchucation or at Google plus. I will wait and see what Mike and Rich think.
Please forgive me for my lack of knowledge with BETA testing. I am a virgin. One thing I am confident of is you will love the program and I cannot wait for your feedback.
Regards Andrew
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already applied...
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@mitcorb said:
@Kurt:
You probably already have ProfileBuilder, right? So, if I may ask, are you looking for a tool that automates like a kit? Or am I missing something.Yes automation would be great. Something on the lines of Tig's house builder tool. Maybe draw a wall and it gives you girt size,spacing and length options. Same on the roof with pitch, purlin size, purlin spacing and length options. Maybe something that uses your own components.Draw wall, use 8" girt, off set girt 4" from start of wall at 8" and 10'-0" elevation at 24'-0" long. Hell I don't know, I can see it all in my head but it may not even be practical and easier to do it by hand like I've been doing.
Image is just a small building to give idea of the components used.
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Sorry for the delay guys, we are having troubles with windows 8 and licensing. If i was a smart man I would have tested that before I posted.
At least it gives me time to get the tutorials fine tuned. -
Someone uses Windows 8?
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It is pretty nasty.... Uggggggghhh.
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@humpmetwice said:
@mitcorb said:
@Kurt:
You probably already have ProfileBuilder, right? So, if I may ask, are you looking for a tool that automates like a kit? Or am I missing something.Yes automation would be great. Something on the lines of Tig's house builder tool. Maybe draw a wall and it gives you girt size,spacing and length options. Same on the roof with pitch, purlin size, purlin spacing and length options. Maybe something that uses your own components.Draw wall, use 8" girt, off set girt 4" from start of wall at 8" and 10'-0" elevation at 24'-0" long. Hell I don't know, I can see it all in my head but it may not even be practical and easier to do it by hand like I've been doing.
Image is just a small building to give idea of the components used.
I hear you loud and clear and to be honest it is not a difficult plug in to make. Give us time we will get to it. Making a plug in to do it is simple but making it so your kids can use it is harder. My seven year old can use what we have built to but it took me 4 years to do it.
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@krisidious said:
Someone uses Windows 8?
I do - on my laptop. I don't see what people are making such a fuss about. Sure, the start menu has been replaced with a start screen, but the OS functions just as previous versions. I don't really notice much of the start screen because I have always just tapped the Windows key and typed the first few letters of the application I want to use. Work the same in Win8.
And if you really want the start menu back there are programs for that.I really like the changes to Explorer for instance, much better file copy/move dialogs etc. Native support for taskbar across multiple monitors.
As always, it's new and people don't like changes. Then time passes and nobody cares.
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I also have SU 8 (on my pretty old desktop - though the HD and the video card are fairly new after a crash) and have no issues with it at all. SU runs perfectly and had no problems with licensing either - although maybe network licenses may work differently.
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"Windows" 8 Gaieus...
ThomThom... I'm not making a fuss just alluding to others fussing. I don't upgrade operating systems for years. I skipped Windows Vista completely using Windows 2000 and then only XP for like 2 years before jumping to Win7-64U.
Win 8 seems built for Pads, Phones and Laptops. Not desktops. I'll wait until I have to upgrade because of software requirement or some feature that i want. But I have not seen that feature yet.
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"Native support for taskbar across multiple monitors."
That might be nice...
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I must say that the intial shock of lossing my task bar was annoying but yes youget used to it pretty quickly.
Turning off the security crap just like we probably all did in 7 and vista can also be painful but reasonably easy.We have not tried it on Mac so if you are one of the 200 that registered to date and you use a Mac please let us know when you get the BETA email.
Using Sketchup with PlusSpec on windows 8 tab is a very easy way to take models to site.I am looking forward to showing what we have done with it guys as it is super cool. Especially for designers and builders. Being able to design whilst estimating and editing in real time is something not even Revit or Archicad can do. Oh and if you use layout you will be happy.
Anyway enough of my BS gota go back and get some work done.
Hope to have the licenses out soon.
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