How much to model?
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Using SU on MACS for a while (also formZ and Powercad on Macs and Revit on the PC); not an expert by any means but kinda know my way around.
I've used SU mainly for massing and quick studies of smaller projects (single family, small commercial buildings).
Started trying LO a few weeks ago and was frustrated by its "clunkiness" compared to…. say... PowerCad (awesome, extremely powerful 2D Cad for the mac; a true blend of ACAD or the old Microstation and Illustrator). So my work flow has been exporting from SU to Powercad and doing ALL the CD work in Powercad. As I try to start using LO, my questions are:
How much modeling are you doing in SU? how much detail is in the model vs LO?In the past I've modeled just the "rough" walls/roofs mass (similar to BIM standard LOD 200) and added all the detail (textures, hatching, color, line weights, symbols, dims, text, titles, etc) in PowerCad; but as I try to do it in LO, there are just not enough tools to control how i want my CD's to look (I use a similar work flow in Revit). It seems that I would have to do A LOT more modeling in SU like modeling rafters, joists, slabs, accurate openings, gutters, thicknesses of materials, etc. That's A LOT of modeling …
Interested in hearing your comments.
BTW if you are on a Mac and have not heard to PowerCad; check it out; it's been around since the 80's (by Engineered software). Check out also Wild Tools which is a plug-in for PowerCad; many other plugs-ins available)... I wish SU and PowerCad would merge….
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I'm using SU and LO for exterior work because we can use models in design and presentation, some rendering, and just go to the exterior elevations from there. I do some interiors as well for rendering, but don't model the full plan. But I am still doing the rest in PowerCADD and sometimes insert LO output to PowerCADD just because it's faster and more flexible. However if you can get what you want done in LO you can save that step.
Some people are doing the whole thing in SU-LO. I just found out an old acquaintance who was dedicated to DataCAD is now doing the full SU=LO like Nick Sonder. Check out the Construction Drawings Thread in the LayOut forum.
And you mention drawing rafters and all. Sometimes it's worth it. Myself on standard construction I don't see the point in drawing most of it. It's all covered in structural drawings and details. But for post and beam construction modeling is a great help in all phases.
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I've been using an SU to LO process for all my CDs for a couple of years now. As to how much detail to model in 3d, I guess it depends on the size of the project and also what hardware you are running. I tend to create a massing model similar to you, but with accurate overall thickneses for each of the structural elements. I then cut the sections as required and simply detail them in 2D over the section cut line work all in SU. I generally only use textures or solid colours for any 'hatching' in SU, reducing the amount of time spent drawing in LO. I then save a SU scene for each section cut or smaller scale detail as required. In layout I just arrange viewports and draw thicker outlines as required over the visible SU linework to tidy everything up. The rest of the process is then just annotating in LO and exporting in pdf format.
High level detailing of the SU model only occurs in isolated areas where there are 'non typical' construction details required. I have a library of detailed models for standard construction details all saved as separate SU files. These can then be imported into the main model and adapted as required.
When I first began using SU, I always felt that I ought to be modelling every detail to the nth degree but soon found that there was little point due to the limitations of the dynamic link between SU and LO. It was a simple and painless process to make client's alterations to a loosely detailed model for the purposes of producing elevations but SU is not so forgiving when several revisions are asked for during the CD stage of a project.
For my usage, the level of detail that goes in my models is always weighed up on how best to utilise the dynamic link between SU and LO with the least amount of headaches.
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Andy knows what he's talking about: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79%26amp;t=51620%26amp;p=466323#p466172
Hi Andy. Long time no see. -
@pbacot said:
Andy knows what he's talking about: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79%26amp;t=51620%26amp;p=466323#p466172
Hi Andy. Long time no see.Many thanks for the kind words. I lurk around this forum from time to time - there such a wealth of knowledge here. You guys have saved my Bacon countless times.
Looking at those drawings again takes me back - pleased to see much improvement in my work since those days.
Glad to see you're still around and hope you remain as busy as you want to be. Best wishes for Chistmas and the New Year.
Andy
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Andy is right on. Always consider your deliverable and what you want to show as you model. I mainly work in SU and use LO only for notation, dimensions and rendering scenes. I also haven't been around much lately. I'll try to get back in more as time permits.
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