Using Sketch Up Pro & Layout in anger

[jump32]

Hello,I wonder if anyone can help please. We're JUMP Architects , based in Sheffield and use Sketchup Pro as a key part of our workflow on all projects (upto c.£1m). We already originate both Planning documents, scopes of work and spec documents from Layout, however we're constantly looking at the possibility of producing detail/construction drawings from the sketcup model via layout.
Is there any other architects in the UK who are currently using Sketchup & layout to originate all their information? If so please let me know, it would be really useful to try and understand how you are acheiving this.

Many thanks,

James Pemberton

[ArCAD-UK]

If you are thinking BIM or model sectioning with all information displayed in LO ready to be labelled, be prepared to be disappointed. Having used 3D modelling for many years and recently dropped ArchiCAD for SU I would suggest that no CAD system is capable of doing this without significant resource investment that will kill any financial return. As an example how much drawing work would be incurred just to change a lintel from PC concrete to steel & brick for each variant of window and would you show the clips, trays, stop ends, weeps, mortar beds; where do you stop? On top of that what are the implications on the size of the drawing and the amount of info the CPU has to process; your average workstation would struggle badly. The harsh truth which the CAD vendors will never admit is whilst it can be done it is impractical to model every detail and no CAD system is sufficiently intelligent to cope with that level of detail. The secret is to know when to break the link with the 3D model and how to use the SU model as a 2D base to locate a detail. You may remember the working drawing methodology of Location > Assembly > Component; it's as valid today as it ever was.

At some point there will be an inevitable requirement to work on a detached 2D or even localized 3D model to show construction detail. At this end of things I now draft directly in LO to produce my 1:10 details. This is where the layout Scrapbook is your best friend. But if a 3D cutaway is required then I build a separate model which can look much like many of the common examples in manufacturer's literature.

Hope that helps,

Trevor