10 years with Sketchup
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Today I realized that almost exactly ten years ago I discovered Sketchup. Until then I had been using VectorWorks for my architectural projects but had no pleasure using it. Finding Sketchup changed the way I worked and brought back the pleasure I used to have drafting with pencils on tracing paper.
One year later I was a kind of witness to the rebellion against Google Groups and the ensuing move to Sketchucation. I was one of the 40 or so who moved there in May 2007.
As my expertise grew and Sketchup developed I was able to stop using any CAD application and today I do all my projects with the combo Sketchup + Layout. Not only that. The most important thing was to change the way I worked in design. In the past one designed in 2D (plans, sections and elevations) and only after defining the essentials of a project one went into 3D (physical or digital models). With Sketchup I was able to turn this around, as I became used to designing in 3D and extracting the 2D draings from the model when everything is defined. This not only helped me to design better stuff but also cut at least by half the time I dedicate to documenting my projects.
So, long live Sketchup.
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Happy anniversary, Edson! What a great testimonial.
It's been a little over 13 years for me and when I think back to the pre-Google days, I realize how SketchUp has changed and how much better it has become.
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It's a road I started travelling too, and though it started not so long ago it seems I've always used Sketchup. I wish I had use it in University and in all my professional life, because since I've been using it my work has grown considerably in terms of quality and pleasure.
A great deal has to do with Sketchup itself, but most of it derived from what I've learnt here at Sketchucation.
Thank your for your testimonial, and let's see where you're at 10 year from now. I wish you all the best!
Parabéns!
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Well done, Edson! And nice to hear how it has changed others work life also.....
I think it was around 2003 that I found SU and within a year had dropped my CAD option. In 2006 I started looking at a program called Spirit Architecture because it was the only program at the time that imported and exported native SU files. After 5 years of trying to implement it into my daily routine and with the growth of the plugin community, I dropped that also.
So like you Edson, 100% of my work is SU /LO generated. I couldn't think of life trying to do what I do without it.
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I'm only in my 5th year, a real babe in the woods.
I wonder how much SU will have developed when I hit the 10 year mark. -
Started with v3 after reading a Times review.
Dave taught me everything I know...
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Started with the regreated PushPullBar!
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Interestingly enough, I discovered Sketchup(v5) 10 years ago too. It also changed my life, as at that time I had nothing to do with 3D or visualizations or anything else, except for my love for cars(this made me to chime in).
I became an addict and slowly(in about two years) I saw the opportunity to make profit with it. Since then it brings my bread!Long live Sketchup !
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Thanks guys! It is great hearing from you on this subjet.
I am sure you will understand my disappointment when I hear students at the architecture school where I teach planning to move on to Revit, ArchiCad, VectorWorks and the like (what they seem to think are the Big Leagues of software). They do not understand one can do anything with SU + LO, even BIM, and still have fun, something I never saw related to those mammoths.
The move to Trimble proved to be for the best, so I am sure Sketchup will continue evolving without losing its ease of use.
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@edson said:
They do not understand one can do anything with SU + LO, even BIM, and still have fun, something I never saw related to those mammoths.
My take on that is that architects/students sometimes think that architecturarl practice is about software, while they could think that software shouldn't get in the way of architecture.
Sketchup rarelly gets in the way and though I think Layout does get in the way sometimes, there's no faster combo than Brain+Sketchup+Layout.
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@rich o brien said:
Dave taught me everything I know...
Me too! Thanks. I started as much a newb as is possible, and now I'm building models for others
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nice reflection Edson, thanks for sharing!
I resisted Sketchup at first - It was around 2006 when I first heard about it from a structural engineering consultant I was working with. I recall they were saying what a great visualizing tool it is, but I was repelled by the cartoony quality of the output. To this day, I still don't like the native SU output. However, for making 3D models and designing in 3D (since around 2008 when I switched from modeling in ACAD) I've never looked back!
long live Sketchup!
Andy
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@cotty said:
@mrossk said:
@rich o brien said:
Dave taught me everything I know...
Me too! Thanks. I started as much a newb as is possible, and now I'm building models for others
Me too, no wonder with his 4 years ahead
You guys! It's getting so deep in here I had to put on my tall rubber barn boots.
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Congratulations. I couldn't have said it better!
On the schools and software - keep in mind there is huge marketing by Autodesk and others at schools to plant the seed.
I still remember when I made the switch to all layout. I've been using SU since 2002 combining it with ACAD (which I used since version 2.3) I had loaded Windows 7 on a machine and tried to load my 2004 version of ADT to no avail. I called Autodesk and they told me I needed to purchase the latest version for some crazy amount, I can't remember, but it was in the $5000 range. I said no thanks and their response was "what else are you going to use" I responded to that arrogance with "Sketchup, of course" and promptly hung up. I never looked back.
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Thanks Edson - a great idea to post your SU-story
About 12 or 13 years ago I met any people on a CAD fair here in Frankfurt, who managed to draw cool 3d geometry shapes faster than they could explain what they intend to draw. And all this looked so cool, somehow unusual comic like which promised a wonderful new ease. At these days I needed a day or so to draw a few white lines, thin as cobwebs in front of a black viewport, in 2d...From this date, my story is almost the same as yours...
kind regards
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I discovered Sketchup back in 2005 (@Last V5) but quickly put it down because I was learning Maya at the time and was not satisfied with the texturing capabilities of SU. In those days I was not really deep into 3D modeling professionally but doing more traditional visual art (still do it today too).
6 years later in 2011 I got a commission to draw what a church would look like after a renovation at different angles. After a short debate on what medium I would work in, I dusted off my V5 Sketchup and found myself in these forums newbie section where I was pushed to try Version 8. It's been a new world for me ever since. I would credit everything I do in 3D today to my advancement in Sketchup....besides, the push/pull tool seduced me.
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I would bet that everyone here in this topic has tried to rotate a jpg with the middle mouse button?
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Well said Edson
I discovered SketchUp during the 2000 Christmas holidays and thought it was the best thing since sliced bread ...... and it was and still is
And here is a pic of me with the two guys we can thank for SketchUp, Joe Esch and Brad Schell at the Googleplex 3D Basecamp. I have no idea what I was snarling at or Brad was shying away from in the pic. Joe seemed to be accepting what ever it was.
Mike
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"My take on that is that architects/students sometimes think"
I think this portion sums it up nicelyIf you are looking for a job, and most students should, be you are going to want to know revit or archicad. There are just more jobs available out there for people with those skills.
I am a sketchup guy through and through, but in my experience there are far more companies looking for people with strong Revit skills and "its good to know" sketchup" skills.
Too bad for students that actually want to design, not just draft. The freedom sketchup brings to the design process is unmatched by any of the big dogs.
Congratulations on 10 years, I have always enjoyed your posts.
p
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