Hi guys, it has been a while, I have been head down bum up working with the dev team on a new version of PlusSpec. I have a lot of tutorials to make and a heap of stuff to do, however, I will make sure anything I release publically will be here at Sketchucation first. B)

I made this video the other day, it is a bit rough around the edges but I think you will get the idea.
We have added 4D to Sketchup which basically means we add time to the process of construction which outputs to a Gantt Chart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45KHsKjt_UA&feature=youtu.be

I purchased a phone that used Project tango, it was cool, unfortunately, google ditched it like a hot potato.... There goes a $1000 dollars arghhh.
I would be interested in giving it a go.

Hi Guys, I thought I should chime in here.

Engineering software and design software are two different things, yes we could add in calculations to beam sizes according to span, just like we did with the lintels over the windows in masonry construction, yet these are easy calculations, and they occur on cookie cutter homes and in custom homes. I think the advantage of having the structure associated with the construction method enables architects and designers to place walls with an understanding of consequence and this plays out more so when the client is more focused on a budget than they are aesthetics. One of the true benefits of Sketchup is that you can draw what you want wherever you want it yet it can also be seen as a disadvantage. PlusSpec highlights this in the structure view and also highlights tradition point loads for engineering consideration and also for the designers' consideration. Our/my goal with PlusSpec is to make our industry more efficient. I can't explain how frustrated I was when I first used Revit, sure it was parametric like PlusSpec but that was it, it still does not associate structure with its geometry, which makes projects very difficult to associate cost with, which therefore makes it almost impossible for designers to design to a budget.

In an ideal world, the 3D model is the central source of truth: Design, structure, maintenance, and cost. Having an engineer do their calculations and then making design change suggestions in the "engineers BIM/VDC" for approval, by the designer and or builder would equate to more efficient construction. This is where parametric geometry excels.

Guys i have built well more than 500 homes in my 28 years, and I designed and built at least 100 of those projects. I can't explain the difference in final output versus cost in any other way than dollar or percentage figures. I was getting a higher standard of product to my clients at a lower cost than my competitors and making 5-15% more net profit. I want everyone to enjoy these benefits as waste whether it be in time, material over and under orders or in dollars and cents can always be reduced and PlusSpec does that, sure it is not 100% yet, but it is a step further forward.

Thanks fellers, yep PlusSpec lite pre-release is now out. I am pretty happy with it but hey it's not me I that lite needs to keep happy here. It is you!
If you need to know more check out the webpage above in Drews link, there is a heap of info.

Tip there will be some changes after 6th of November so you really need to get it before then.

Hi guys, PlusSpec lite was confidential, I am not sure how JQL knew about it, however, it is true and it is very comprehensive. We will share more with you as soon as possible.

Great maybe you could stop commenting then.

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.

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.

Garry, Maybe we both get a different understanding of the message and when I reread I agree yet I believe it to be 2 tiered and therefore my answer corresponds.
@dpaul said:

It is about the simple fact that at the end of any given year, if I decide not to continue paying the yearly subscription fee I HAVE NOTHING. I will have lost all of my work.
This is actually wrong (see previous reply), sure I could have used my words better yet Monday morning sees me answer emails as efficiently as possible, no doubt we all make this mistake, guilty as charged.

I understand that the subscription price of PlusSpec is too high for many Sketchup users just as Sketchup Pro is for many users and that is the great thing about Sketchup make, users can create whatever they want, provided they are willing to spend the time to do so. I assume like you that most professionals use Sketchup Pro as it has clear advantages, these are the users that will get the benefit from PlusSpec, however it should be clear 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.

PlusSpec and Sketchup are two clearly different things. PlusSpec was specifically created for AEC and to unite the AEC industry, it does not draw space ships or cars or some of the great models I have seen online or the warehouse . PlusSpec can be used in many ways and is fit for purpose: Design only, Design and Build, structural interrogation RFI and refinement, estimate only or all of the above in conjunction, it is efficient, fast and powerful. This is why the licenses cost that much, we could remove functionality to make it more affordable and genre specific yet I believe that the model is an asset that can last the entire life of the project, All the way from design, through sales, estimating, construction, handover, demolition or remodelling. It is easy to complain about the price when you do not know what PlusSPec does for our clients and our industry. If anyone decides not to resubscribe that is entirely up to them. The model will always remain an asset and an asset that was created more efficiently than it can be done in any BIM VDC software that I know of.

As mentioned previously we have set the price as it is an in the short term, we are discussing other options yet none are ready for release, I will keep you all posted once we do. Our existing users are using it and re subscribing, many of our users are Archicad and Revit users and many of these use PlusSpec in conjunction with their associates and authorities (All PlusSpec derived content is automatically associated with the corresponding IFC classification).
I am not sure where you get
@garry k said:

push down everyone's throat this notion of full price subscriptions
There is no pushing, it is an option, I reply honestly according to what I believe the questions to be, I do not always get it right.
There is no pushing, If you do not need to go fast why buy a Ferrari? Just because Ferrari advertise in magazines does not mean that Ferrari are pushing their cars down your throat either. The purchase of PlusSpec is your prerogative and one I respect, after all it is a free world. Sorry if you are offended by the use of the word wrong, as mentioned maybe I should have phrased it differently. Anyhow no harm done.
Have a great week, I am off to continue developing better software for our industry.

dpaul that is where you are wrong or maybe where we did not explain properly.
PlusSpec works inside of Sketchup, you can use your model as long as you like and you can also edit in Sketchup the way you would edit any Sketchup component, group, material or scene.

PlusSpec increases the speed in which you draw, edit and estimate, yet it does not stop you from using Sketchup to edit or add geometry.

This is the reason we built PlusSpec inside of Sketchup as it gives everyone the capacity to collaborate on a model without having to own expensive software. PlusSpec users get the power of Archicad and Revit yet the freeform freedom of Sketchup and layout. Your builder, engineer, drafty and client can open your model in Sketchup and still understand what it is you have drawn and how they should go about building it, living in it.