Mitigation uses for SketchUp

Tim M

This is a topic that I am interested in and one that I had asked about some time ago. I believe that the posts to this topic were lost when there were some technical issues with the site.

Anyway, I would like to revive this topic and see if others are using SU in this way. I do remember one user who replied to me and his application of SU to mitigation work was very intriguing.

Thanks in advance.
Tim

dylan

If I remember correctly Tim, it was Dennis Fukai who had carried out a lot of work in this area and posted some of his own experiences.

He does not appear to have registered at the forum.

He can be contacted via his website Insitebuilders.
http://insitebuilders.com/

Tim M

You are correct Dylan it was Dennis Fukai. I liked how he used SU in mitigation. This seems to be an area that hasn’t been tapped into much. I was wondering if other users were exploring this too.

Thanks,
Tim

@unknownuser said:

If I remember correctly Tim, it was Dennis Fukai who had carried out a lot of work in this area and posted some of his own experiences.

He does not appear to have registered at the forum.

He can be contacted via his website Insitebuilders.
http://insitebuilders.com/

bcoleman001

Tim,

How exactly do you use SU in mitigation? I guess I'm not familiar with "mitigation" to understand what you would use SU for, but I'd be interested to learn.

Tim M

I personally haven’t used SU for these purposes but am curious how it can be utilized in other areas. For example, it can be used in depositions where liability for construction projects needs to be determined. Much like the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, a model can help the visualization process whether it is a construction project or say the scene of an accident. You could establish sight lines, obstructions etc.

I’m sure there would be other ways to use SU to communicate in depositions or trials. I wanted to throw this out to the community to see what possibilities they see.

Tim

@bcoleman001 said:

Tim,

How exactly do you use SU in mitigation? I guess I'm not familiar with "mitigation" to understand what you would use SU for, but I'd be interested to learn.

Insitebuilders

Sorry for not pickg up on this thread sooner, we’re in final edits on a new book and just able to come up for air. So to speak.

IMHO SkUp for “mitigation” is more clearly understd when you thk of it as sequential visualization or forensic animations. The purpose of these models is to visually simulate a sequence of actions or activities that lead to a conclusion that supports the scope and goals of a client. IOW “to prove a point.” Big bucks are usually at stake – which puts a lot of pressure on the precision of the model.

These models differ from arch or piece-based construction models and are not as comprehensive as an engineering model. Instead, the models are built to animate an action or activity.

This makes SkUp the ideal prog b/c the Outliner, Layers, and Scenes can be used to manage sets of nested components representg phases, steps, or the timing of action in a series of scenes that can play forward and backward or jump to any location in the model that may be relevant to an argument (lawsuit).

I say this because it’s difficult work (and not always a lot of fun) which may not make it very popular as a thread. If interested tho, you should "read" Scott McCloud’s book Understdg Comics or any of Tuft’s books on visualizing info. For both 2D and 3D examples of these models you might also want to chk out any of our books on our website.

Hope that helps,

/Dennis

pmiller

Further to Dennis Fukai's response --
I have done forensic graphics since 1990 (and started using SU with Version 2) -- mostly environmental litigation (eg. The Love Canal) but some intellectual property and construction failure as well.

It is important to know that what you will be producing are "demonstratives" or visual explanations, not "facts". You need to be very careful to keep things simple and illustrative and not include any detail that may be challenged sucessfully*. A famous example I know of is using the wrong color for a vehicle in an accident reconstruction, but there are lots of examples (fortunately never happened to me).

*you don't get a second chance in the courtroom and the stakes are high.

You will need to work closely with attorneys and understand the law so your material can be admitted. You will need to keep track of all your source materials and references as well, as this can be challenged as well.

Look at the first 3 books by Edward Tufte, as Dennis suggests. All this said, it's a tricky business, but can be very exciting (especially in the courtroom) and you will learn a lot.

Tim M

Dennis,

Thanks for clarifying. Sequential visualization helps me understand this concept better. I have Scott McCloud’s book that you reference as well as a couple of his other books. He gives a very thorough analysis of comics and I can see the connection wit mitigation now that you mention it. I actually heard him speak in Louisville a year or so ago. His PPT presentation was incredible. I have not heard of Edward Tufte but will check his books out. The first one that came up on Amazon was The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd edition. It received some good reviews.

And to Paul’s points, thanks for your comments too. Both responses help me see the nuances of this approach with SU.

Tim

@insitebuilders said:

Sorry for not pickg up on this thread sooner, we’re in final edits on a new book and just able to come up for air. So to speak.

IMHO SkUp for “mitigation” is more clearly understd when you thk of it as sequential visualization or forensic animations. The purpose of these models is to visually simulate a sequence of actions or activities that lead to a conclusion that supports the scope and goals of a client. IOW “to prove a point.” Big bucks are usually at stake – which puts a lot of pressure on the precision of the model.

These models differ from arch or piece-based construction models and are not as comprehensive as an engineering model. Instead, the models are built to animate an action or activity.

This makes SkUp the ideal prog b/c the Outliner, Layers, and Scenes can be used to manage sets of nested components representg phases, steps, or the timing of action in a series of scenes that can play forward and backward or jump to any location in the model that may be relevant to an argument (lawsuit).

I say this because it’s difficult work (and not always a lot of fun) which may not make it very popular as a thread. If interested tho, you should "read" Scott McCloud’s book Understdg Comics or any of Tuft’s books on visualizing info. For both 2D and 3D examples of these models you might also want to chk out any of our books on our website.

Hope that helps,

/Dennis

Insitebuilders

T

An added thought to Paul's comment is what we call a "certified model." IOW, we stamp the model file exactly like a set of dwgs for const. This means I guarantee its accuracy and assume full responsibility for its representation as a virtual construction (as a lic arch). Risky, but a lot less risky than a RW bldg and usually blows away the opposing counsel (client/commissioners/arch.. because of the sequential representation of a detail or complex assembly. BTW also very well compensated by our clients.

SkUp has the power to be as detailed as any other 3D modeler, but much faster on its feet in a presentation when carefully org'd. Our model files regularly exceed 300mb and must be able to open and operate serendipitously from a laptop/projector in an open public forum (usually a tense place to stutter...)

Import is to make sure you have good tech, solid info, and doc ea step of the virtual const w/ a solid paper trail.

/D