Will SU solve my problem? (importing from AutoCAD)

ginahoy

I'm getting ready to design my next home and a friend convinced me that SU would be easier to learn than AutoCAD (not to mention cost). I've looked at other home design software but the reviews are pretty awful. I haven't downloaded SU yet.

In my day job, I receive floor plans and elevations from home builders, usually in DWG format, which I then must print so I can do take-offs. It's very important that the printed plans are at a standard scale. Unfortunately, it usually requires some preparatory work before sending a file to my 24" plotter. I don't own AutoCAD but one of my employees does. He can create new layouts in PAPER space specific to my plotter. If the plans are too large for ARCH D, he simply changes the layout to 3/16" scale or adjusts the viewport to cover the critical portion of the page. However, he will soon be leaving my employ.

I recently downloaded 'DWG TrueView 2009' thinking it might solve my problem. However, I discovered you can't create or change an existing layout unless the DWG file was saved with layout set to model space. I've long since given up on trying to specify to builders what their architect should send us.

So here's my question: Will SU allow me to import DWG files and then create a scale layout from the model that can then be plotted? If so, will I need to purchase PRO version? Note: All of the drawings I receive are flat.

Gaieus

Hi ginahoy (and welcome to the forums),

Both the Free and Pro versions of SU can import dwg/dxf files. See the SU Guide article here:
http://download.sketchup.com/OnlineDoc/gsu6_win/Content/K-Input_and_Output/Import_and_Export/IO-DWGDXFImport.htm

Also both free and pro versions can "print to scale", see the SU Guide her:
http://download.sketchup.com/OnlineDoc/gsu6_win/Content/K-Input_and_Output/Printing/IO-Print.htm

Note: DISREGARDthe "

= Functionality only available in Google SketchUp Pro 6" footnote on this page - it was only relevant to v.5 - now it is also available in the free version of SU6.

The only thing you cannot do with SketchUp is to print lineweights. It only has a single, uniform line type.

tomsdesk

ginahoy...forget paperspace and scaling of the autocad layout: SU will import the modelspace info, and if it is drawn to scale, it will import to scale. (Dimensions, text, etc. that happens to be in modelspace will not import correctly, however...but you only need the lines to start your model.)

Now my suggestion if you are starting out new with SU is to forget using an autocad drawing: just start with your knowledge reading construction documents and do it from scratch. By the time you get the plans into SU you will have mastered some of the learning curve required to complete your design in 3D...much to your advantage.

Best of luck and keep us posted, Tom.

ginahoy

Tom, I think I provided too much information. Naturally, I'll be drawing my home from scratch. Importing AutoCAD files has nothing to do with my home design project.

However, in my work I must be able to print floor plans from DWG files produced by others. And I've learned over time that there are as many ways to set up a DWG file as their are home designers and architects. Sometimes the file has layout pages I can use, and sometimes not.

However, if SU doesn't import text objects, that would be a deal killer. When working with a printed set of plans, I must be able to see the room names, dimensions, and text notations such as ceiling heights, window call-outs, etc.

I guess I'll have to purchase AutoCAD when my employee leaves. Perhaps I can find an older version at a good price. That's a shame, because I have no interest in learning AutoCAD beyond setting up ARCH D layout pages for my plotter.

david

Gaieus

Hi David,

Maybe no need for AutoCAD - there are alternatives, have a look at this thread:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=7235

On the other hand, SU also has text and dimensions tool - it just won't import AutoCAD's texts. Surely setting these up again is rather time killer and if you really don't need 3D just 2D drawing and handing drawings in, maybe some of the posts in the above topic may be useful for you.

Anssi

@ginahoy said:

I guess I'll have to purchase AutoCAD when my employee leaves. Perhaps I can find an older version at a good price. That's a shame, because I have no interest in learning AutoCAD beyond setting up ARCH D layout pages for my plotter.
david

I would guess that you would do quite OK with the AutoCad LT product, as yor work doesn't involve 3D modeling in AutoCad, or using special third-party applications. I think it's about 1/3 of the price of the full version.

Anssi