Is BimUp 5D As Good as it Appears?

ashscott

I was thinking about getting of a race together with some of the top Revit and Archicad guys.

When I first started working for myself using sketchup I met with a group of guys who were right into ArchiCAD - they asked me what software I could use and I said "SketchUp" they laughed in a not-so-encouraging way. I tried using other CAD packages but found them all so unintuitive compared to SU - I'm glad I've stuck with SU and can now deliver real value by putting out models at a competitive rate compared to some folks who use heavier CAD packages.

The Warriors'll probably get nailed, not sure about the ABs

aadbuild

I hear you there. I use them all and I find myself stepping back to Sketchup every time.
Maybe you could get that group to take the Pepsi challenge.
Thanks for the reply!

ashscott

My line of work is more mechanical engineering these days, and I can see application for some of PlusSpec within that but when you have had a think about that side of your tool let me know - cut lists and BOMs are useful and I have a sneaking suspicion that I can integrate some of my own dynamic components but one has to focus on specific clients and I can see your targeting the architect/builder market.

Perhaps when you have made a healthy profit from your product the next iteration can be for engineers?

otb designworks

@aadbuild said:

@otb designworks said:

MAC compatible?
Sorry Chuck not yet, we run it on mac in duel mode. It is not impossible to do it, it's just a matter of time.

My disappointment is large, but nothing like the uplifting power of the word "yet".

I hope you guys find the time to get a MAC version out!

aadbuild

Sorry Chuck. We have been tinkering though.

driven

hi

what's your biggest hurdle for the mac version?

john

aadbuild

Hi John, time and resources. It can be done yet it will be 2 weeks full time development at least. At the same time I'm improving the initial release and improving the library of components on Rubysketch. The only way I can concentrate on the mac version is to either put on another staff member or ask the community if they have models they would be willing to share on Rubysketch. Plusspec draws the building yet there is a lot more to construction than just building. We need things like boilers kitchen sinks, taps or faucets, furniture actually anything that is required. I can not afford to do everything in one go. I would be willing to swap the license cost for materials that are county or country specific. The thing is with Plusspec we associate actual products with components. So anything we get needs to be a representation of actual.
In my view this is what decreases issues at time of constructing. It also helps with accurate feasibility and cost control.
I know it may be an ambitious task yet I do not think it to be unachievable.
I consider design to be more than just aesthetics. 90+% of buildings in the world are built around practicality and affordability, good design should encompass asthetics, practicality and cost. I designed many buildings that were never built as the cost was higher than the client could afford, I'm sure im not the onlyone who has... It is difficult and time consuming for architects to specify real world products as the research can take longer than the design. Most of us design with representations of real world products and this means we allow room for error and to counteract error we make rooms larger than they actually need to be. This cost in itself equates to 5% of the building cost. Another 5% minimum is added by the estimator as he or she will make an allowance of cost for a none specific item.
If manufacturers would compensate this community for efficient model creation we could use these models to design more efficiently and accurately.
In short if you have access to real world models or you have a relationship with a manufacturer that would like to get involved. I would consider this to be helpful and it would allow me to spend more time on the Mac version. PM me or contact me through the rubysketch website. A like minded community with a goal to create a better more efficient industry for us all is what I seek.

holmes1977

Hello aadbuild

Im very keen to jump on board. Been looking for a better work flow from design in SU to construction plans in Autocad.

Im a one man band who works from home on a laptop for the first half of the week. Then I do the heavy work on the desktop at the office for the other half of the week.

Will i need to purchase 2 copies of PlusSPec to be able to work from home and at the office?

I posted this in your forum but failed to show up.

cheers
Jonathan

Krisidious

I guess my last post didn't go. here it is again.

I have a few questions.

Does PlusSpec offer full imperial support? standards for framing and what not, equipment and components?
If I buy a subscription to PlusSpec does that cover all the components library or do I have to pay per component?
What is the process or ability in terms of unique or custom building areas. Have a look at my website and you'll see what I mean. I have curved walls and roofs with the rafter tails cut off.
Will PlusSpec make use of SU 2014's auto label in Layout?
Does the BIM information transfer to Layout?

Grice

Wow, I only just saw a video of this. I have been looking for something like this since I started my business. I have been modelling all my projects with a combination of 1001Bit tools and a handful of other scripts that don't quite gel.

And I am in Australia too so I can see recognisable product manufacturers and suppliers!

But here's the catch though: No Mac version

Aadbuild - I put it to you that there is a market for a mac version. Happy to put my hand up for testing.

jiminy-billy-bob

@aadbuild said:

It can be done yet it will be 2 weeks full time development at least.
The only way I can concentrate on the mac version is to either put on another staff member

It may be worth it.
I've been gathering some user data from my plugin Layers Panel. I was quite surprised by the result, but it turns out almost 40% of my users are using Macs. (The sample is around 300 unique daily users)
We're talking about users using sketchup a lot, probably daily at work (90% of them are SUPro users), as Layers Panel is best used when using a lot of layers (like importing CAD data, or working on big models).
And yet, the mac version of LP has more bugs than the windows version. So yeah, I think the OSX market should not be neglected when building a business model around Sketchup.

(chips-architecture.com)

It would be interesting to have data from Trimble, or even the SCF Pluginstore.

PS: And this comes from a man really not liking Mac and stuff!

rspierenburg

Just another quick question. As far as materials are concerned there seems to be new products on the market daily and it seems most of clients want to out-do each other by using the newest and shiniest. Are there provisions in PlusSpec to allow you to create new materials and add BIM information to it? Now I have to apologize, I have not watched all the videos as of yet so perhaps my question is already answered there, if so just let me know.

Thanks,
Rob

Rich O Brien

About 1in10 is Mac

jiminy-billy-bob

@rich o brien said:

About 1in10 is Mac

Interesting.
Do you have the same graph showing Mac usage for pro users only?

driven

considering that it's the cream of the crop, 10% is quite high...
john

aadbuild

@rspierenburg said:

Just another quick question. As far as materials are concerned there seems to be new products on the market daily and it seems most of clients want to out-do each other by using the newest and shiniest. Are there provisions in PlusSpec to allow you to create new materials and add BIM information to it? Now I have to apologize, I have not watched all the videos as of yet so perhaps my question is already answered there, if so just let me know.

Thanks,
Rob

Hi Rob, you will like what we have coming up in this area. It will be about 8 weeks away. Ill fill you in more as we get closer.

aadbuild

@krisidious said:

I guess my last post didn't go. here it is again.

I have a few questions.

Does PlusSpec offer full imperial support? standards for framing and what not, equipment and components?

If I buy a subscription to PlusSpec does that cover all the components library or do I have to pay per component?

What is the process or ability in terms of unique or custom building areas. Have a look at my website and you'll see what I mean. I have curved walls and roofs with the rafter tails cut off.

Will PlusSpec make use of SU 2014's auto label in Layout?

Does the BIM information transfer to Layout?

1. Does PlusSpec offer full imperial support? standards for framing and what not, equipment and components?
We have timber sitting here ready to go and we are making products as I type. If you have a particular supplier you would like to see on board send me the details. I will chase them up. I have had many emails from America and Acme, American Gypsum,Dryvit EIFS, Andersen Windows have all had over 100 requests from individuals. There are a couple more companies that are getting up there as well.

2. If I buy a subscription to PlusSpec does that cover all the components library or do I have to pay per component?
yes all of the components come for free. If you have more in your library that you would like to share let me know and I will have them added n( we do have a pre requisite on the way they are drawn (low poly, minimal faces and you must be able to buy them in your country) as efficiency is our main aim SKPBIM models are very stream line). There is a direct link to RubySketch inside PlusSpec that allows you to download directly into your model. This makes Sketchup work faster as adding too many components can slow down your computer if you save them locally.

3. What is the process or ability in terms of unique or custom building areas. Have a look at my website and you'll see what I mean. I have curved walls and roofs with the rafter tails cut off.

The best thing about PlusSpec is you are working in Sketchup, you can draw what ever you want (use the "Bim tool for non custom items), it's a big time saver, unfortunately not as quick. You will not have the ability to use parametrics yet we have a solution coming that will help with quantifying.
BTW Nice designs on your site!

4. Will PlusSpec make use of SU 2014's auto label in Layout?

I am working on this, I have asked Trimble for access to Layout back end. This is not going to happen any time soon yet we are working on a work around. Sorry cant help straight up with this one. Watch this space

5. Does the BIM information transfer to Layout?

Not exactly, I guess you want a window schedule? If so copy the text out of the take off data sheet and paste in LO it for a work around. We are working on a solution now. There are pros and cons with this new functionality that Sketchup added in SU & LO 14. Watch this space.

Home Page - PlusSpec

Click Here for Construction, Estimating & Design-Build firms, Large & Small ➜ Click Here For Small to Medium Architectural & Design Firms ➜ Intuitive, Integrated, Easy PlusSpec is the most powerful, affordable and easy to learn 3D BIM/Virtual Design Construction & Estimating software for the Design & Construction Industry From Design & Sales to Estimating & Procurement, […]

PlusSpec (www.plusspec.com)

aadbuild

Thanks Rich, that takes the pressure off.
Mac users, I will get it done, time is the main factor.
Anyone know how to clone humans?

I will be going to Hawaii next month if anyone wants to come and say Gday PM me, I will be demonstrating PlusSpec, so Aloha in advance.

KrisM

"1. Does PlusSpec offer full imperial support? standards for framing and what not, equipment and components?
We have timber sitting here ready to go and we are making products as I type. If you have a particular supplier you would like to see on board send me the details. I will chase them up. I have had many emails from America and Acme, American Gypsum,Dryvit EIFS, Andersen Windows have all had over 100 requests from individuals. There are a couple more companies that are getting up there as well. "

I guess the question is still unanswered. Is imperial support imminent or sometime in the future? Is there a workaround? I have used the trial version and am impressed. My concern is that the program is very good for Australia but not so good for North America.

KrisM

Krisidious

Thanks Adam.