thanks Chris, I am not sure if developing custom software is going out on a limb (unless Trimble removes access to the back end of Sketchup). I designed it for me to increase the amount of work that myself and other builders can get done in a day. We are all doing this in one way or another. I hope that the rest of the world will get to reap the benefits of my work in the future. I guess we will find out sooner or later.

My 2 bobs worth is: you can only achieve a certain amount with ruby and using all languages is imperative considering the access we have to Sketchups rear end.

Sorry about that I was not thinking.
There are many improvements that would be fanatastic if were added. Has there been any thing mentioned that we will still be able to access the back end of Sketchup? Or do we have to become some sort of partner with Trimble and only a select few will have access? No point in asking for more access when there is a possibility we will have less. It would be greatto get a comment from the powers to be

HI all I have been working on a ruby now for over 4 years, I created it so that I can draw faster and smarter. It is almost finished and I think it will change the way home owners Architects and builder design and create domestic homes whilst creating a bill of quantities, orders and quotation requests (BIM). Now I have a ruby that is very comprehensive that has cost me a lot of money to build for my self. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on the best way to release it or what I should do to protect my intellectual property? I beleive it will revolutionalise the way we draw homes in Sketchup.

To be honest I have never used 3d max so I dont know what it does I guess I will do a bit of reading. Personally I know Sketchup like the back of my hand. I dont intend on learning another package unless it blows me out of the water and is as easy as Sketchup.
For my business unless I employ a designere with building experience and local council knowledge I end up doing most of the work myself. I do the rough concept design say takes about and hour. I then get it check measured, drawn and modeled accurately for customer approval and most importantly quantity take off. We,ve used Layout for 2 years until my last Sketchup trainee (12 months full time now a great sketchuper) went back to Uni to complete masters in Architecture ( apparently she is showing the people at Uni how to use Sketchup to its capacity). I now have an Auto CAD drafty to help but I need a professional 3d modeler to keep up with demand who wants to work 5 days a week....

@thomthom said:

In my experience it's a pain to get material and components from Revit models.

I can easily get local revit guys but before i forked out $5k on software I wanted to make sure I can import and export back to sketchup so that I dont have to learn another software package. The componet issue is a big one as well.

@tpstigers said:

On the plus side, Andrew and the new guy could swap expertise, and so both end up with new skill.
thanks Bob I had thought of that, can never have too many skills

@unknownuser said:

contact Richard

Thanks Brodie I will contact Richard today.

@anssi said:

Are you only doing visualization? I have never heard of anyone doing construction documents with 3DS Max.
I could get away with visualisations as long as I can export DWG to CAD. the drafty I have is very quick but it would be better if I could do 2d work from 3d software. ( I am teaching him SU but its amazing how 98% pick it up realy quickly and 2% just dont? maybe I need to spend more time

I guess I only have 2 options to ...
1 find another sketchuper who can use Layout

2 find a software package that integrates well with Sketchup that is regularly used down under.

I guess there is 1 more option. Does any one know anything about human cloning...

Thanks for your help guys. If anyone knows more let me know. You guys are a big help

To give you an idea of the finished product and why I need more people you can check out the finished products here http://www.sydneydesignerbuilder.com.au/home all of these houses were designed in Sketchup , quanity take offs done and details done in Sketchup. I have plenty more but have not had the time to add them.
BTW Sketchup helped me win a design contest late last year $10k first prize

This how I explain concept to engineer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAABLx0H9j4

Hey thanks Guys, I will get the dreaded 3d max sales person out to give me a run down. Australia needs some more Sketchupers, I tell every one I know how good it is but just cant seam to convince.... I think they think because its free it is not powerful?
I have taught 2 people sketchup in my office and they love it and then they leave and start their own business.

I do have plenty of people across the world that do Sketchup but a lot of our new work is renovation and extension work and the coordination via the net is difficult. I find myself spending more time emailing than I do working. I need to get some one to work with me in my office and also do site measures....

HI all, I have recievd a large increase of work and I need to employ a drafts man to help. I have had a couple of enquiries from many young designers. It is difficult to find a local Sketchup user where I live so I was wondering which program REVIT or 3D max is easier to.....

A transfer my materials and textures?

B transfer components

if so any advice?

I have over 1000 textures and models and I m not looking forward to doing it individually.

Try adding the material to both sides of the glass / Face.

Hi
@orlando said:

it seems that I can't get the material, transparency and lighting very well

you can edit the transparency of translucent materials by selecting paint bucket>then applying the texture to a face (click desired translucent )> select edit the opacity.
I use sketchup8 and to tell you the truth the quality of the materials are pretty good it takes a little time to learn the finer points but when you do....
The following link is an example of Sketchup only render http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hX1ErHGVuc1RJgjPezBHyw?feat=directlink

Ithink that NS has a lot of merit and I would like to have it as part of my work. email me when you get a chance thanks Chris

I cant believe I missed the base camp notification. We don't get all the info down under. If anyone hears of one last position please let me know. Ill miss the GOGO bar !

I like the way the walls are going to be fully braced great for strength. We don't get earth quakes in Australia or tornadoes so we are only required to do 60% of the walls in bracing. Glad to see your house coming along David.

now I think about it the laser would have to output a file to use in CAd so I wonder if I could just put the out put files into the ruby console. hmmmm now that could be a great ruby. anyone else done anything like this?

The coolest time saver for me would be if a very basic version of Su was on android or I pad. I do extension renovation work. I use a laser measurer to measure up houses. It has blue tooth and works with auto cad the problem is the lap top is a pain to carry around the site. If I could have it draw in Su it would save me at least 2 hours per job...

If you have survey of the job"loft by spline." will save those painful hours.

can you attach a screen shot ? I may be able to help

Hi David, If you need any building actual advice flick me over an email. I design and build. mainly build. BTW thw house model looks great

I dont know if it is the same thing, but I made some dynamic windows. I needed 3 different versions e.g casement sliding and awning. the windows did not need animation just sizing and costs attached. I made the first DC and basically copied and changed attributes to suit. This works fine when I need all sliding on the job but when I need a combination of several I find that the code reverts back to the original DC file i copied originally. I ended up redoing all 3 versions of windows from scratch, as no matter what I did I could never gethem to work (in the same model anyway)

very cool thanks for sharing. Vray does a great job. I use Hypershot and it does do a great job (not to the standard of your work) but i must say it is very easy and very quick to learn.
By the way every thing is drawn in Sketchup

Now your just showing off Gaieus.

have a great new year all
or as some would say in Australia.
Have a bloody ripper, crack a few tinnies over a barby while your at it mate.