@beginner said:

I assume you have 2GB RAM not 2MB RAM.

Yes, sorry, that's 2GB. I can't test because I don't yet have the SU file I need to view. I'd prefer not to ask the client for the file until after I check the system requirements.

This may not be the best place to ask this, but I just downloaded SketchUp Viewer. On the bottom of the license page (http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/download/gsuviewer.html), the system requirements link appears to be broken. My system is a bit old, so if someone could point me to the Viewer sys requirements page, I'd be grateful. In case such a page no longer exists, here's a description of my system:

WinXP (sp2)
Athalon 64X2 Dual 4200+
2MB RAM
GeForce 7600 GS / 512MB

I'd like to resurrect (but hopefully not hijack) this thread to ask a novice question.

I'm looking for software to design my new home. I need to create construction drawings, like the ones posted above by Mike on March 10. What is it about SU that makes it less than ideal for 2D work?

David

Tom, I think I provided too much information. Naturally, I'll be drawing my home from scratch. Importing AutoCAD files has nothing to do with my home design project.

However, in my work I must be able to print floor plans from DWG files produced by others. And I've learned over time that there are as many ways to set up a DWG file as their are home designers and architects. Sometimes the file has layout pages I can use, and sometimes not.

However, if SU doesn't import text objects, that would be a deal killer. When working with a printed set of plans, I must be able to see the room names, dimensions, and text notations such as ceiling heights, window call-outs, etc.

I guess I'll have to purchase AutoCAD when my employee leaves. Perhaps I can find an older version at a good price. That's a shame, because I have no interest in learning AutoCAD beyond setting up ARCH D layout pages for my plotter.

david

I'm getting ready to design my next home and a friend convinced me that SU would be easier to learn than AutoCAD (not to mention cost). I've looked at other home design software but the reviews are pretty awful. I haven't downloaded SU yet.

In my day job, I receive floor plans and elevations from home builders, usually in DWG format, which I then must print so I can do take-offs. It's very important that the printed plans are at a standard scale. Unfortunately, it usually requires some preparatory work before sending a file to my 24" plotter. I don't own AutoCAD but one of my employees does. He can create new layouts in PAPER space specific to my plotter. If the plans are too large for ARCH D, he simply changes the layout to 3/16" scale or adjusts the viewport to cover the critical portion of the page. However, he will soon be leaving my employ.

I recently downloaded 'DWG TrueView 2009' thinking it might solve my problem. However, I discovered you can't create or change an existing layout unless the DWG file was saved with layout set to model space. I've long since given up on trying to specify to builders what their architect should send us.

So here's my question: Will SU allow me to import DWG files and then create a scale layout from the model that can then be plotted? If so, will I need to purchase PRO version? Note: All of the drawings I receive are flat.