Introducing myself / workflow reccomendations appreciated

Lobster

Hi People,

I have been scanning the forums for a while now to help me learn.
I use sketchup for a variety of things but primarily for making models of things i am going to build.

The attached model is basically my construction documentation of a simple metalwork frame (various sizes of rectangular steel tube) built for a theatre company touring show in the UK

I have found that Sketch Up does more than i expected it to do; especially in tems of precision.
By designing the frame in 3d I can more easily visualise the welded connections and the positions of predrilled bolt holes. This makes the build much more efficient as i have already gone through the trouble shooting in a virtual build.
I can send the file via 3d PDF keeping hold of my .skp so people know exactly what it is i am building them.
I can produce a functional render of it by placing it in a theatre basic studio (not required for this model), i have done all the hard work so why not.
I can order an expensive projection screen for the set from the drawing with absolute confidence that it will fit.
Whilst building i can reference the model taking point to point measurements from anywhere on the model to check i am still in square and there will be no nasty surprises.
I can easily make sure all the frames fit the transport - saves time, cash and angle grinding disks!

The limitations are in terms of 2d data production / construction drawings for someone else to read and build from as i would rather generate in 3d first. My current thinking is purchasing the 'flatten' plug in but i am not overly sure that this will do what i want it to. Is it any better than the overhead view with no perspective? Double cad is out due to OSX and Vectorworks due to the price.
I have not found yet an easy way to annotate the angles in the drawing like dimensions either but this is probably just me.
Sketchup does not know what is required of it when applying textures! Does a program like UVX give me more options than this?

In terms of producing a render i am planning to use a basic studio that i can place all my models in. Either in SketchUp or merged in the Render studio and tweak from there

I have done a few tests in Thea Render with volumetric scattering to gain a type of theatrical haze to show the lighting with some pleasing results but is the studio model best to be the realistic one i have now or one of the bowl shaped ones i have seen for product renders?

Anyway you probably get the general idea. Eventually i hope that this will be an efficient process whilst using Gimp to help with texture generation probably in the Thea material editor. Using and adapting already made components will hopefully reduce build times for models as the focus is on productivity, i have already used the bridge deck cut up in two other models. If anyone has any recommendations of software, modelling tips for this kind of thing or any other comments relating to this kind of process i would be grateful. Most of the rendering software focuses on architectural photo realistic stuff which is not nessecarily what i am after for this useage. It seems to me that Thea can offer something else if tweaked for saturated stylised theatrical lighting.

Am i on the right track or should i be going down a different path?

Love the forum, it is the most useful one i have come across. Had a look at the 'Extrude by Loft' plug in by the 'we are not worthy' TIG, pressed enter and nearly fell off my chair. That is awesome. As i am sure are the are others that i will come across in time.

Regards

Sam

construction model

Gaieus

Hi Sam and welcome!

What I can say is that you are definitely on the right track. In your field of pracising with SU I would definitely also try to approach things like you are doing.

As for rendering; I am not a guru myself (and whatever I do is closer to architectural visualization) but I believe that Thea will be a useful tool for what you are trying to accomplish.

So let's put too much words aside and see what you have to show to us (hopefully in the Gallery)!

Lobster

Thanks for the response Gaieus,

Yes, sorry about the essay, turned a bit stream of conciousness!! will keep on trying and shove something in the gallery when i am happy with it; on a different model hopefully.

Regards Sam