Introduction/questions

crosshair

Hello all

I am pretty new to sketch up, I downloaded it a few years ago and spent just a little time using it. My job has now shifted into an area that I believe that sketch up could be a useful tool. I am a project manager for a construction company that specializes in concrete foundations and slabs. The owner of the company likes the fact that I am very computer literate but does not like spending large amounts of money on anything (let alone software). So my plan is to do more with less. I would like to use sketchup as a tool to edit construction drawings (for personal use), quantify areas,dimensions and measurements, and purpose design ideas/changes to clients/designers. Here are my questions:

using sketchup can I import pdf files. I would like to be able to import electronic blueprints issued by designers.
if so, can I edit the imported files? adding and removing items?
can I import a drawing and adjust it to scale and then add measurements?
what are sketchups capabilities when it comes to estimating square footage and linear ft of surface areas and lines?
If not sketch up, what do you recommend for me?

Thanks

Eric

TIG

You can't import PDFs on a PC. MAC can [I think]. BUT you can import most image formats, and CAD format files like DWG/DXF and so on. Let's assume you have a PDF then you can use some free or inexpensive application to 'print' it as an importable image format file - e.g. http://www.pdf-to-jpg.com/ [inexpensive shareware] or http://www.treasureup.com/page2.aspx [but needs Acrobat installed too]. Alternatively many companies could supply you with other formats like DXF...
If you have a format that imports as vector-graphics - e.g. DXF or DWG - then you get an import dialog set its units etc under Options and then the imported result comes in as Sketchup edges etc that are editable as if they were made within Sketchup itself. If you only have an image 'bitmap' format it can be imported as an 'image'. This image can be scaled - group it and then edit the group, use the tapemeasure tool to pick on two points a known distance apart - e.g. some construction grid lines - then type in the value e.g. 20 if you are working in 'feet' [Model Info > Units] and the dimension should be 20'. You are then prompted to scale the group say 'yes'. The image is now the right size for your needs. You can now draw over the top of it using Sketchup's line and rectangle tools etc... You can also over-draw onto an imported DXF etc or erase unwanted parts.
You now have a SKP model with things drawn 'full-size' [you only need to worry about 'scale' on output - you work 'full-size' in your desired units] - made either from an imported file in vector format or that you have drawn over on an imported and suitably scaled image. There are dimensioning tools in Sketchup to dimension edges etc
Entity Info reports the are of selected faces [sq-current_units] or total length of selected edges [current_units]. You can also report areas by 'material' in the browser, so coloring different areas would give different results. The are several scripts to report out information like this in CSV format etc - there is an example 'cost' script shipped with Sketchup that may give you ideas... You can 'pushpul'l faces into 3D forms and there is then my volume calculating script available to report the volume of a selected group in any units desired
If you are simply using 2D drawings and can get the files as DWG/DXF there are several free CAD tools [e.g. DoubleCAD] available that would probably also do what you want...

honoluludesktop

Your questions are more complicated that you realize. Before they can be answered, you have to understand the differences between vector, and bit mapped image files; you should know what is built into SU import/export capabilities, and which 3d party translators can be used. Basically, almost everything you ask can be done, but in some cases, only with effort and limitations. Unless a bitmap file contains vector information, it can not be easily used in that way (vector), without compromise. Even if it contains vector information, SU may not be able to read it without a 3d party translator.

The best way to learn is to start using SU, and attempt to import and export different file, asking questions here when you run into trouble. When that happens, you can upload your model, and the file in question to get specific help.

Everyone here who works professionally, uses several applications to accomplish their job. There is no single application that can do everything well. For example, I work with SU, a 3dCad vector program, tiff, and pdf printer drivers, Cad2Dxf, Dxf2Cad, and several Vector2Image, Image2Vector, and Image2Image translators. The applications listed do not exhaust the possibilities, and there are many kinds of translations I do not attempt.

pbacot

Eric,

You might try a more CAD like program for what you want to do, such as DoubleCAD. I haven't used that one personally, but I hear it is good (and free). For what you are suggesting I would import the pdf into my CAD program, but it isn't cheap and it's on the Mac. Try also: eDrawings by SolidWorks. It all depends on what formats the program you use will accept. You may need to translate to another image format to bring the image in and scale it up, to be able to draw over it and measure. Note that bitmap images do not have discrete elements to measure. You need to trace or use your measuring tool over the image--without aid of snapping points or references. Always see if your associates can provide dwg or dxf files, which are vector files that SU and other programs can open, and DO have discrete elements that can be directly measured and manipulated in many programs.

Another way to say what TIG and Hono have, I guess.

Peter