@unknownuser said:

Part of sketchup work "all looking the same" is the push-pull-y nature of the product.. you're going to get push-pully looking architecture because its just so easy to work that way!

Mirjman I couldn't disagree more. With all due respect that is a very negative comment. Push-pull achieves the same results as extrude in any program so you are only right about one thing - buildings are usually vertical. You can't really compare students work to what actually get's built in the real world and Gaudi is an extreme opposite. Sketchup hasn't dumbed down architecture. If we we were all working for Frank Gehry then, yes I'd say the limitations of SU might be an issue, but Gehry uses Catia which is normally used for designing aircrafts. I'm pretty sure there won't be a licensed version for under $500!

Anyway I saw this yesterday at an exhibition, part of a proposal for a new marina development in Hull, I recognised the SU people, I wanted to ask the architect if he is predominantly visualising with SU but thought he might not want to admit that in front of the judging panel.

Jackson! Good to hear some good Scottish swearing on this subject!

Hi Cyber, Kris. I have had this problem too, once I lost a client because of it - his loss, as I work faster and cheaper with SU. So now I don't mention the software I use, I have found this is the only way to avoid the stigma. If I hired a contractor I wouldn't ask him what brand of screwdriver he uses. At the end of the day it is in the skill of the person holding the screwdriver (or in this case driving the software). The cost and prestige of the brand is in my view irrelevant.

There are some really bad strictly AutoCAD / 3D Studio modellers and visualisers out there, I've worked with some. Their work is dull and unimaginitive because it is limited by their pinnacle on the steep software learning curve. I've only ever managed to convert two purists like this to SU. But I know other purists that ring me up from time to time because they cannot manage a project in ACAD or 3DS, so I model it for them in SU and export in whatever format they want. I did a model before breakfast one day for an architect friend of mine, she was amazed, she thought it would take a week. She is still strictly AutoCAD though. Go figure.

My workflow involves a few different programs, most aren't industry standard as now I work for myself and can't afford it, but in the past I predominantly used Architectural Desktop, AutoCAD and 3DS. The cheaper alternatives are just as good for my level of work. I use ProgeCAD for drafting. I do wish I could master a rendering app but my clients don't expect it, I don't think they'd pay more for it.

I only know one person who uses really high end stuff like Maya and Soft Image XSI, he is an animator with long project times.

I've just downloaded soap, I knew about it but have never tried it. It looks great.
Thanks Mike.

http://www.fabricarchitecture.com/products_fabric_architecture.htm

If you really want to build or specify a tensile canopy, the link is to a UK company that I've used, they will send out 3d dwgs but only if you are serious about purchasing.

Csaba, you beat me to it. I took the liberty of using your canopy as you did a better job than me.

canopy.skp

I'd just like to second others Coen, the forum is fantastic, as I work by myself most of the time, you guys are my substitute work colleagues, however, I am taking far too many coffee breaks and chatting here! Like Anssi I think I read every post too.

Good comments Ross, it seems that in the really quite short history of SU some of the most enlightening developments have been made by people who realised that they could apply SU to their own particular obscure area of design. Remember the model of a circumcision machine on Sketchup.com? Bizarre use but it tackled shortcomings in SU3 and achieved workarounds.

However AutoCAD has made the CAD and modelling world a very elitist world. AutoCAD biggest failure is it's unreasonable cost and industry elitism that excludes people who just want to experiment. Sketchup will develop into a much more rounded product that in my opinion already leaves AutoCAD in the dark ages because 1)It is available for free, 2) The users. We all help each other, no need for outrageously expensive training, 3) There is no elitism, if you don't know you ask, you find out. Sketchup does not make excuses for what it can't do (which isn't much) unlike Autodesk that try to sell you something else.

@unknownuser said:

I have not used v-ray yet, however by the images i've seen it seems awesome, I am a Podium user and have no reason to change that as I get the results I seek. Having said that does not mean I will not change, as the industry changes so must my ability to keep up, putting pressure on the designers of my sotware app, if it falls behind or ignores the users wishes...well thats the end of that app.

Interesting thread.

I have never really been confident with any rendering program. I have tried Kerkythea, Vue, 3DS max and various others. I have never got the results I wanted, but speed of render is really my main criteria. I actually really like the look of Podium, played with the demo and am considering buying it in the next few days. But I'm interested to hear about its percieved limitations.

Solo, I love your website, is the majority of your work rendered with Podium?

I will also check out Vray. I was going to install Povray but it doesn't seem to run on Vista. Povray was particularly interesting to me because it directly interfaces with Cycas, a cad program I use.

Csaba, Wodan,

Thanks, that is a great tutorial and component.

Also I'd like to add a tip (this is probably obvious but may help a newbie), I like to attach a 2D plan view component to 3D windows and doors that I put in a different layer so that I can keep my 2D plans up to date while I move doors, windows etc. This makes the generation of construction drawings much quicker with as little post CAD work as possible. .

Hi Mike

Hmmm, could be useful for speedyness.

About time! I'm lazy, I rely on others efforts....

Good work.very useful

I don't think it is an SU problem, more likely your computer system. I use usb memory sticks with SU all the time, no problems.

Thanks Eeva and Edson, yes I'll sort that out.
I removed the layouts I posted here because they were really fuzzy - very difficult to shrink them down and keep any clarity.

Jon Wood

Hi I've tried resizing so that you could see the posts, no luck so look on my site.

Jon Wood

Thanks, check it again now.

Jon Wood

Hi Online, only two very basic layouts; a barn and a pub. Unfortunately I've had to make these really low res so I could post them, The visuals are on my website http://tiraggio.moonfruit.com on the visualisation page.

I tend to use paperspace in cad more, but I do like Layout. No notes on these drawing as I did my final paperspaces in CAD. The barn has just gone up for auction with planning permission for this scheme if anbody is interested!

Jon Wood

Didier. Just downloaded cloud.rb. I had not come across this script until now. I haven't worked with point clouds before but this could be brilliant for my work.

Thanks