-
dpaul, sorry I only read the last comment and did not scroll up. You do make a good point and I agree in some respects. We continue to develop PlusSpec in a way that suits the industry, it is costly to build software like this (I do not employ casuals or consultants on the prviously mentioned item that David brought up_. Some of the largest construction companies in the world us PlusSpec and yes I could have decided to charge $5000 up front for perpetual licenses yet in 2 years what good would they be. We are in the age of technology and it is changing quickly and getting more powerful. When I look back at what we had when we first released I cringe at the lack of functionality yet at this time it amazed me.
We regularly do updates, I mean monthly and sometimes weekly, our goal is to stay at the cutting edge of technology. To do so there is a cost associated with it and that is why we license the way we do. As mentioned previously we are looking at other options and licensing models yet nothing has been decided. Sorry I can not be of more help, in the short term anyway. -
@aadbuild said:
There is no pushing, If you do not need to go fast why buy a Ferrari?
The thing is, we are not allowed to BUY the Ferrari. Only rent it...
-
I am not quite sure you answered my question: what happens to my PS/SU files once my subscription is cancelled?
Of course I can use SU, but what about all the work I would have done in PS within SU? It appears to me that I cannot continue to work with that side of the model (the PS side) at all. I assume it just reverts to being SU groups or components.
So therefore, what is the point? I have lost what I wanted to keep: the ability to parametricize my model with your software----which I would like to purchase as a permanent licence. Obviously I can't.
SU and PS combined come up to almost $2K. Are you seriously telling us that: "many PlusSPec subscribers are actually mums and dads who want to design their home so they can understand the structure and cost behind the empty faces provided by a 2d drawing or an un detailed surface only 3D model. These people rarely re subscribe yet to my amazement many still do, some actually change career paths as PlusSpec opens up new opportunities......?"
Waaaaa.....?
I, along with Garry and Pixero and other posters are professional users of CAD programs, SU in particular, and we spend a SIGNIFICANT amount of time learning these programs and their plugins. Yet, somehow, an important component of your market is 'mums and dads" casually picking up both SU and PS over a weekend barbie to effortlessly design their new home or addition?
No. Something is not quite right here........
By the way, there is no need to patronize us on what PS is intended to do over layered on to SU. I just see it as an excuse to charge more to the unwary (but surely there cannot be too many of them, are there.....?)
"Some of the largest construction companies in the world use PlusSpec and yes I could have decided to charge $5000 up front (plus $700 for SU) for perpetual licenses yet in 2 years what good would they be?"
This is simply ill-informed arrogance (the largest construction co's in the world..?They can't do the math on the best BIM program to purchase?). Archicad is $5K. Chief Architect is closer to $4K. In both cases they have been around for 30 years (+). They are mature and accomplished and come out with an upgrade every year. Again, why can't you do that?
Everything is moving at great speed technologically, I agree. But here is what is happening in the SU world: for the first time some very seriously accomplished coding is coming to SU for the AEC market.
We have CABMAKER from Garry K (perhaps the best in AEC), plus VALI'S series of amazing plugins for terrain, roads, etc., SCATTER, roofing trusses and framing by MeDeek, and so on.
Now I just found out that GK is about to come out with a window tool (to complement his door tool). I have been waiting for this for a very long time. All very good.
The last item I am waiting for someone to write is a powerful wall tool. Once that one hits SU, I am back to work exclusively within SU. A moment will come soon enough when a beautiful clutch of extraordinary plugins will do it all for us WITHOUT the much touted values of outdated BIM thinking.
Please do not get me wrong: we want you to succeed. However, you need to listen to the professional users who would like to purchase a licence while deciding if they want to upgrade or not. Unless you are honest with us ordinary pro's, to my mind, everyone else you refer to are just a fantasy.
Think about your business model again, please.
-
I know I have omitted many great plugins in my previous post, but I have to mention PROFILE BUILDER 2. It is the best in the AEC industry at what it does (better than Archicad and Chief Architect).
-
The things I'm afraid at Plusspec are:
-
Creative freedom VS standardized BIM processes - for instance does it deal with structures independently? do I have to model them on my own? Will walls adapt to fit a custom structure?;
-
Ability to create components in a library - do I have to use those window profiles? Can I come up with my own? Will they adapt as well as Plusspec ones?;
-
Curved walls, roofs and curved and even more complex surfaces- Are they possible? Parametric?
-
Mass studies - Can I buildup a volume in sketchup and tell PS that certain face is a wall while the other is a roof? Or must I work on wall based system, floor by floor, wich is totally the opposite of what I do?;
-
How windows adapt to any geometry - Can I have windows bending corners, can I have curved or surface windows?;
-
How does it generate details? Like skalp? 3D details?
-
How it adapts to existing buildings - I'm working on buildings wich walls have variable thickness, how do you work with those?
-
If the standard PS methodology isn't fit for that sort of variation, how does Sketchup pure modelling integrate in the PS workflow? Will it be able to parametrize? Will it be able to get inside estimates?
-
Then there's the steep Price per seat per year and all the associated arguments flowing here.
-
-
I hear you all loud and clear, thanks for commenting. I do appreciate it.
This video will answer your questions on structure https://youtu.be/4TNSsLaBXQk
This Video will help answer what you can and can not do once a subscription runs out. Everything in the building itself and also fencing and components were created with PlusSPec tools, ancillaries . https://youtu.be/1TRHlDhSlCw
The terrain is created from a 3d DWG and intersect tools. It is BIM'd with PlusSpec for quantity calculation of cut and fill.Medium & Large design or construction firms are well accommodated for now and in the future of PlusSpec yet these deals are confidential. If you run a Medium to large design or construction company then you will need to contact us directly.
This link will take you to the PlusSpec beginners tutorials. Click a tutorial you like and scroll to the top of the page to play. http://plusspec.com/tutorials-beginner/
PlusSpec has linked youtube video tutorials associated with almost every tool they open from inside PlusSpec dialogues, this makes PlusSpec very easy to learn https://youtu.be/KQ5ZYfBCzYg
I hope these videos helps answer your questions, I am a terrible typer.No doubt I have missed a few questions, I have a lot on ATM. I have no doubt you will have more questions, I employ people full time to reply to the PlusSpec forum. https://plusspec.com/forum/I will check Sketchucation when I can. Most subscribers use our excellent one on one training and help services.
Oh, one question I read earlier was: Does Plusspec create section planes? the answer is I am using a beta version that creates custom section planes according to wall and floor type and it is dead easy to use and fast. I or one of our staff will be making pre release videos once I am happy with the functionality. This is just one of the many benefits of subscription based software, getting updates instantly allows more work to be done, another is you get to have a say in how we continue developing.
-
Thanks for all the input aadbuild,
Plusspec seams great for the workflow you use:
- Draw walls;
- Draw slabs;
- Draw Roofs;
- Insert openings.
I'll personally keep following PS, but as I keep doing I realize it's not for me.
I have a completelly different workflow wich doesn't seem to fit there. I rarely build roofs like those. All my windows seem different from your standards. All my walls are different from those and even the way I think my buildings is different from that perimetral wall design you seem to start with in every video. The way I think details is different from this Even the materials you use are from manufacturers that I've never heard from here in europe.
It seems Plusspec has a very nice workflow for a particular type of construction/structure , wich seems to me it's typical from Australia/US and mostly residential. I see a lot of people showing work like that in this forum. I could eventually deal with that kind of construction in some fringe scenarios here, but I'm usually into completely different kinds of structures:
- Concrete;
- Structural Masonry and wood (heritage buildings mostly).
I cannot see how I'd fit Plusspec here at the office and as the price is steep I'm not willing to try for now.
Keep up the good work though and I hope you broaden the workflow someday.
-
Great maybe you could stop commenting then.
-
-
The videos and software are very impressive!
-
I wanna see this new section tool.
-
Hello All,
You will be pleased to hear that we are about to shake things up. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you anymore than this for now. However, I can say that a few big changes are on the way.
At PlusSpec, we take the time to listen to what our customers and prospective customers want. We value your feedback, and we would like to thank the PlusSpec and SketchUp communities for your ongoing support, ideas, and suggestions. Please keep them coming.
One of the main reasons we push subscription based licensing over a perpetual licensing option is that we are constantly releasing updates (and that is an understatement) - and we don't want our users to miss out on these new features, or have to constantly upgrade (as this will end up being significantly more expensive than the subscription based licence).
Regarding the questions and comments around the workflow: PlusSpec is not like other BIM software. It uses the best of free-form modelling (SketchUp) and the best of BIM & parametric modelling (PlusSpec). Once you understand that, you will realise that you have complete freedom. You can design and model how you like. PlusSpec has been made to be flexible around you and your workflow - no matter where you live in the world.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on: drew@rubysketch.com
Regards,
Drew Povey
PlusSpec Product Manager -
Some sought after renderer engines are priced SAAS - at fair value of
$20/month = $240 / yr
-
I have been sitting on the fence for the longest time, when it comes to upgrading my software and workflow. I'm using sketchup to design and export to Autocad Ltd for drafting. My biggest problem is the drafting side of my work. Transferring information from sketchup to Autocad and then making changes is slow. I really like the look of Plus Spec but will not use it with layout. As I feel it doesn't work as a pure drafting tool, rather a good presentation tool. Which would leave me getting a subscription for Autocad Lt or Archicad Start Edition (The 2 most used software options in New Zealand market) and a subscription to Plus Spec.
Below are local prices for subscriptions. As you can see Plus Spec has a higher subscription than Autodesks Revit Lt Suite. It may be a better solution as some have suggested. But if I go for Plus Spec, then Im still gonna need a drafting program. It seems reading all the forum post there are a few of us in the same boat
Autocad Lt + Revit lt Subscription $627 USD per year
Archicad Start Edition Subscription $1598 USD per year
PlusSpec $729 USD Subscription per yearQuestion
Plus Spec seems a great package IF you use layout. But as I see it, would lose half of its benefits when exporting to other drafting software. Is anyone using Plus Spec in an Architectural office along with Autocad / Revit and can suggest a good work flow? -
at holmes1977: which version of SketchUp Pro are you using?
-
-
so why not give Layout 2016 a try? It has come a loooong way since it's initial introduction. Although, I admit, it probably needs more TLC.
-
On complex stuff LO 2016 still struggles a lot.
DWG and DXF exports from LO are still frustrating.
And drafting inside LO still has to come a long way.
Having said that, I do all my stuff in LO because even so, it's much better working with LO+SU than anything else I've experienced.
Let's see how LO evolves... it's still the weak link in the chain, but it's not the missing link.
-
Im an early adopter of Revit, and know it inside and out for residential and light commercial. Ive also been using SU since it was introduced. THE ONLY thing that has ever stopped me, and probably thousands of others from dropping Revit like a dirty shirt is its ability to produce CD's. For whatever reason, SU has neglected this most important aspect of its development, until recently, compaired to the major bims. CDs are THE finished product. THEY ARE THE PRODUCT. Unless I decide to go into the estimating business, without efficient Cd production, a free program isnt worth a darn to me, let alone a grand a year (lets be dead on honest about that too...sub models do not deliver fresh releases to we consumers, software compampanies do...what subscription based models do is deliver large quantities of dollars to developers) So i was very disapointed to read PS relys solely on LO. Integrate tools so we can document any section cut, level at my chosen elevation, or view, and then perhaps we'll have something to talk about.
Seriously,
Bill Cooper
(ps, if you are serious about going after the Revit uset base, and want help from the inside, give me a shout out)
-
As I am about to seriously embark into programming my upcoming Wall Plugin I am curious to how PlusSpec has fared, given its licensing model and pricing. How many of the SU users on this thread have tried it and are now active users? Has PlusSpec garnered a significant following? Out of all the architectural plugins currently out there which ones are the most true to the SketchUp methodology.
I've talked to many users of Revit and Chief Architect and their biggest complaint seemed to be the clunkiness of these software offerings compared with SketchUp. Can a BIM software be as comprehensive as Revit or CA and still maintain all of the things we like about SketchUp.
Advertisement