Working w/ huge files: editing components in separate files?
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I regularly work with huge 3D models of large areas, and even my supercomputer becomes rather slow after a while, even for minor task, despite optimization. Recently I discovered that I could make parts of the terrain a separate component, right click-> save the component as a different file, edit it very quickly then reload it in the original file, automatically in the right location. Is this common practice? Any tips or pitfalls i should be aware of? Is this the way to make 3D models of areas that are larger than what SketchUp handles easily?
Also, if so: do you prefer to create custom ad-hoc component which are exploded after edits are complete and reloaded, or create smaller parcels which are remain separate components throughout?
Could it also be a good way to work with design options? Layers of course work well too, but they do contribute to making the file larger, slower to save/load (and edit?), and can be tricky to keep track of.
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this is the way I like to work... tho the problem I have is, loading the part back to exactly where it should go, rather than moving it and placing it down.. (am I missing a key press or similar? I just want to have it exactly where it was...)
on large models this method of modeling is a lifesaver...
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In my experience the components automatically fall right into place if I right-click the original component, pick reload and select the new file - no need to move in place. (Assuming I used the same method to export it)
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I originally start the file by modelling in the overall larger file then "Save" the component in the contextual model to another file. It is helpful with a building on a site. You can work on the buiding details in a clean, small file. Comes right back in where it should be, if you respect the origin of the axes.
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Yes to all. This is good workflow. You also has Edit in place plugin for help. http://www.suplugins.com/edit.php
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I use this workflow all the time:
- Have a central model that is used in Layout for general plans;
- Export Specific models like kitchens, bathrooms, elevators, etc. into a folder;
- Export all windows, doors and cabinets components into another folder
- Import those models to new files and work on them for further detail and presentation on those files. I use these smaller files in Layout too.
- After working on the files in 4. I export them back to the folders in 2. and 3.
- I reload models in the original file in 1.
This allows for collaborative workflow between team members but requires organization as there is no plugin that effectivelly manages the workflow.
How detailed are the parts, depends on the project. If it's a Master plan we separate buildings from terrain and work on each as a unit.
If it's a big building we separated floors or wings and work on each as a unit.
If it's a small building we detach small interior and isolatable spaces to work as units as shown above and we also export details like windows or other special cases.
We create files for each and develop each separatelly but always have increasing LOD.
We export things in a way that Masterplans don't have all the details you get in the building design, only outershell. Otherwise the models become unbearable.
These plugins could help you:
SketchUp Plugins | PluginStore | SketchUcation
SketchUp Plugin and Extension Store by SketchUcation provides free downloads of hundreds of SketchUp extensions and plugins
(sketchucation.com)
SketchUp Extension Warehouse
Your library of custom third-party extensions created to optimize your SketchUp workflow.
(extensions.sketchup.com)
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I also can confirm that using of components as an external reference to represent some parts of a model stored in another file is a popular way to deal with big complex models. Seems to work fine and fairly easy to understand a logic of how it all works (i.e. fairly easy to explain to other team members if needed).
Obviously such approach helps a lot in case if an "assembly model" has some identical parts (for example identical building blocks on some site). After editing of a reference in a separate file update takes effect on all its instances inside a "host" model of course. -
I have one master model w/ ~150,000 faces that I broke up into 8 or 9 sub-assemblies. To ensure a correct placement in the final product I would pick a location in the master model and draw a triangle from there to where I would create an origin point in each future sub-assembly. That gave me an exact number of meters for an XY offset. Of course that triangle would be sent off to the sub-assembly too just in case I needed to importing everything back into a master model for inspection.
When I was sure I was done I'd make a copy, remove my offset triangle, and export from there.
When I just needed to clear out space and work on everything separately (but always intended to produce just a single model), I'd do the reload component trick mentioned above.
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