@majid said:

craziest drivers.....hahahaha agree... also I like your carpet market picture of Tabriz ( I guess it must be Tabriz, am I right?)
I hope everyone visits Persia, it is a really beautiful and cheap country.
also I wish to visit Turkmenistan this june!
thanks for sharing

Yes it was Tabriz.

Turkmenistan is unreal! It's another place I think everyone should visit, but for different reasons...it's the strangest country country i've ever been to.

Make sure your car is clean if you are driving in Ashgabat! And go to the Darvaza crater if you can. enjoy!

@adt2 said:

Sometimes I start from scratch. Sometimes I start with an existing plan and trace. I'm mainly curious about setup; layers, groups, components, etc. Working in SU is so different than working in CAD that I want to make sure I'm not carrying over unnecessary baggage.

for a start draw everything in layer 0.

draw out the walls and make a group. push pull them up to the necessary height. fill in the floor area and group the geometry. use groups for most things, and use components for items that are repeated (doors, windows etc.). make layers according to how you want to control their visibility, so generally i would have walls on one layer, floors on another, funiture on another etc. quite similar to the way i work in cad.

it'll take you a while to get your head round it. one of the big stumbling blocks for me right at the start was knowing that i would have to draw some lines twice (e.g. where floors met walls), which is something i would never do in cad.

Hi Majid. Beautiful photos from a beautiful country. I was lucky to get to visit Iran a couple of years ago, and it blew me away. From the spectacular scenery to unbelievably friendly people to the craziest drivers I have ever seen!

I travelled from Maku, To Tabriz (fantastic market), to Qazvin, to Tehran (I managed to cause a car crash while driving into Tehran), to Nowshuhr, to Bojnurd and into Turkmenistan.

I've been telling everyone they should go visit Iran since I got home. Would love to go back.

some of my pics....

@arcsurvey said:

This is my first attempt at a construction drawing for a simple UK lean to extension. I am quite pleased with it but it took a long time to achieve though with practice maybe I can get the time cut down. I find that I get bogged down with the outliner and it takes time to manage my groups. I need to make more use of layers maybe.

I tried to create a hatch pattern rather than using colours to identify the brick and blockwork but it crashed each time I applied it. Not sure why that was.

I cannot decide whether to just model the exteriors in SKP to give the 3D and go back to CAD for the 2D plans or whether to stick with it and try to increase productivity.

I'm finding that you do cut the time taken down a lot as you progress. You'll find quicker ways of doing things.

I'd try and stick with the sketchup for the plans as well. I find that clients really respond to the textures etc. of a sketchup drawing, rather than the cold crap look of CAD.

Good suggestions there.

I've posted another thread with my procedures. Quite similar to Nicks by the looks of it.

Overview:
I am an architectural technician, so my methods are based around architecture, and my not transfer to other fields like carpentry.

I'm going to use an example of a hypothetical house extension with a job number 118.

1. File Structure

The main idea behind setting up a good proceedure and file structure is so that a drawing that is issued can be logged with a specific drawing number and date. I will often find that clients, consultants or others will ask for a copy of specific drawing that was previously issued. Having a good file structure and logging mechanism can ensure that (a) I can find the drawing quickly and easily & (b) that the drawing I have on my server is the exact same as that which was issued. I try as much as possible to keep things simple and methodical.

1.1 My General File Structure

My projects are divided into 'admin' and 'drawings'. Obviously the admin is all letters, emails, fees, specifications etc., basically anything that is not a drawing.

The Drawings folder is then subdivided up into the different stages of a project: Sketch Design, Planning, Tender & Construction. I also have folders for Surveys & Maps, and I will also add folders for consultants where required. I organise and file my drawings according to the stages of the project. All my issued sketch design drawings are in the 'Sketch Design' folder etc.

When using CAD, I would put all my sketch design cad drawings into the 'sketch design' folder, but when working with sketchup, it's a lot more intricate than that as there can be several associated files with a single drawing issue, so it's best to keep them together if possible...

1.2 My Sketchup File Structure-”SKP1”

I set up a folder for each sketchup model, and call it skp1, skp2 etc. In each skp folder I'll have all my associated folders for that sketchup model:
CAD export files (If I'm exporting CAD drawings to consultants, or whoever needs them)
CAD import files (I usually initially sketch by hand, then draw up in CAD and then import the CAD into Sketchup)
Layout Imports (jpegs, or other files that make up the Layout sheets)
PDF Exports (PDF's of the Layout sheets)
Sketchup Details (If I want to add construction details or other sketchup models to the layout file of my main model)
Sketchup Export Jpegs (If I'm exporting to CAD, more on this later)
Sketchup Render Exports (If I've rendered any scenes)

my reasoning is that all the 'bit's associated with an issued drawing should be together. What I don't want is linked files all over the job folder, and not knowing which is the latest, which have been issued, which layout file they're associated with etc.

2.0 Drawing up the model

If I'm using a CAD drawing as a basis for my model, I'll save it in the CAD imports folder and import it into the model and orientate it appropriately. I have templates set up for layers etc. I save the drawing as '118-skp1.skp' and save it in the skp1 folder.

I set up my scenes and number each one, e.g. 00-Site Layout Plan; 01-Ground Floor Plan; 02-First Floor Plan; 03-second floor plan; 04-section A-A; 05-section B-B; 06-Front Elevation; 07-Back Elevation; 08-Side Elevation; 09-perspective 1; 10-perspective 2; 11-perspective 3 etc.

I would keep all appropriate information for in the skp1 file. If I was doing construction details (for tender or whatever), that wouldn't be covered by the main model, I would either draw them up separately and save in the 'Sketchup Details' sub folder of skp1, or copy a standard detail that I had previously and save it in the 'Sketchup Details' sub folder of skp1.

If I need to do a quick change that may or may not come to something, I set up a 'temp' folder and save a copy of the sketchup file in there.

3.0 Issuing a set of drawings

Say I want to issue a set a drawings for the house extension that I have drawn up. I'll open Layout template and save as 'job number-skp1.layout' in my Sketch Design folder., and set up my pages with my scenes imported from the skp1 file. So, using my example, I'll have 8 sheets which would be numbered in the title box: Site Layout Plan-00; Groud Floor Plan-01; Detailed Ground Floor Plan-02; First Floor Plan-03; Second Floor Plan-04; Section A-A & Section B-B on sheet 05; Elevations on sheet 06; perspectives on sheet 07.

Add whatever details (grid lines etc.) and notes that are required. In the title box each sheet would have the job number, drawing number and sheet number, e.g. 118-skp1-06 would be the elevations for skp1, job number 118.

If issuing by email, save as a PDF file, in the PDF folder (or actually what I normally do is save it in the 'Sketch Design' folder.

I would fill out an issue sheet listing each of the drawings issued (I would class each sheet as a different drawing if that makes sense).

4.0 Revisions

So, our sketch design drawings have been issued to the client, and the client has come back with a few things they want to change. Let's say they wanted a new window where there was none before.

I would open up skp1 and save it in a new folder (complete with subfolders) skp1a. If I do a revision to a drawing, I save it as 'a', or 'b' etc. That way, a copy of any drawing that has been issued is saved, and saved in a location that is easy to remember and access.

Revise the 3D model as appropriate, and change the layout file as well and save it as 'job number-skp1a.layout' in the sketch design folder. Add description of the revision in the revisions part of the title box.

Issue the drawings as before, logging each drawing issued in an issue sheet.

5.0 issuing drawings for more than one model

So we've moved on to tender drawings, and like I said above, I want to include details in my drawing issue package. Let's say the client is happy with revision 'c' of the model (we'll then have separate folders for 'skp1', 'skp1a', 'skp1b' and 'skp1c'), and wants to go to tender (I'm skipping planning application).

Make any changes required to skp1c. Draw up whatever construction details are required, as skp1-d1, skp1-d2 (sketchup file 1, detail 1 etc.) etc. Incorporate those into the existing layout file (118-skp1c.layout). So I'll have the original 8 sheets (00-07) plus a couple of sheets for details. I can add specification to a sheet, or just have a sheet of specification as well.

So all my drawings to be issued are on the one layout file, and all the linked associated files are in the one folder (in this case skp1c).

Save the layout drawing in 'Tender Drawings' skp1c.layout, make a PDF of the drawings and make the layout file 'read only'.

If I make a revision to any of the details in the subfolders, I'll make a full revision and move to the next letter. Even if it's only a tiny change, it's good practice to do this, because you can get confused (or worse, caught out by having 2 different versions of the same drawing number).

Hope this helps, and feel free to add, subtract or question any of the ways I do things.

@mike lucey said:

I doubt Nick would do that and I would not expect such. I also think that a simpler building would work for folks new to the process in LayOut.

No, of course not. He has been very generous to Google/Trimble in opening up his projects and procedures.

I think Nick has pretty much demonstrated his working process, and I've read Paul Lee's construction documents publication and I've taken bits from both, and added my own bits to form my own processes and procedures. Like I've said before, I'm not using Layout at the minute, so the processes are a little different for me.

In gearing up my sketchup use recently, I've found it a little difficult to organise my drawings and drawing titles (probably as much to do with the outdated system we use in our office as with a new software/file use). Basically in CAD I would do a single 2D drawing per CAD file which was properly filed. But with different scenes and exports, I'm having to form new ways of filing, drawing numbering & issue sheets etc. So I was thinking of doing a few posts on how I've dealt with it. Fierce boring stuff altogether, but something I think is very important, certainly in my line of work where a strong record of drawings, specifications etc. issued, needs to be kept.

So, when I get a bit of time, I'll do something out.

@mike lucey said:

Edson, thanks for kicking this thread off. I see that we have Nick here to advise also TIG to keep us on the 'straight and narrow'

I'd like to suggest that some kind of a simple house model is agreed / worked on so that we can all try out the various processes and compare notes. It might make life easier all around.

What do you all think?

I think Nick should just upload all his drawings! and we take what we need.

@bmike said:

thats a nice technique~!
i use a similar technique for shop drawings / structural work where i need to isolate the framing, and i don't want to 'see into' the structure.

damn, i thought i was coming up with an original idea, it must have been implanted in my subconscious from watching one of your videos .

@bmike said:

changing the opacity is a nice trick... although i imagine it only works in 'hybrid' or 'raster'.

I'm not using Layout, importing jpegs into CAD (hense the scale bar) and setting up my sheets that way.

@gaieus said:

And this year, beware of 13/13/13!

lousy Smarch weather!

sketchy new year everyone.

When I first saw Nicks video (original one), I gave the fog a go, but could never get it right, and dropped it. For a project I'm currently working on, I drew up a face set to white with opacity at 60% to act as a vignette. I then gave the fog a go, and got it working. So just throwing these as a comparison.

I like the results of both, but fog is a lot quicker to set up.

Not exactly a layout post, but thought this was the best place to put it. Anyone else have any tips or methods for vignetting?

Very nice Nick. 5 thumbs up out of five.

If I issue drawings from my sketchup model and I make note of them (drawing issue sheet). If I then revise the model/drawings, I save as a revision. I wouldn't necessarily save a copy at the end of each day, only if revised after drawings have been issued.

So depending on the revisions, I might have several copies of the sketchup model in appropriate revision folders. I've just been finalising my proceedures for issuing sketchup drawings, jpeg exports, measured drawings, pdf's etc. as I'm starting to use sketchup more and more.

@solo said:

301 Moved Permanently

(www.architizer.com)

he looks like vladimir putin. in soviet russia, books shelve you etc...

@johnsenior1973 said:

It's one of the finest pieces of skill, but in no way is it one of the best goals.

The absolutely terrible goalkeeping ruins it in a big way for me. That was awful goalkeeping, primary school level. Two defenders would have beaten Ibra to the ball, if Hart had stayed in his area he would have had an easy catch and been able to boot it downfield. Instead he runs out of the area to head the ball to Ibra, plays his team mates out of the game and plays himself out of the game.

The fact that it only came about from terrible goalkeeping, the fact it was late in a friendly, in a match pretty much already won, means it wasn't even important in terms of the game. The context of a goal is important for me.

it's all about the strike for me, like essiens goal v's barcelona a few years ago. or team goals, like cabiasso's for argentina. i wouldn't be too pushed on context.

it was bad goalkeeping, but i reckon he thought the long ball was going to travel further (seemed to get held up in the air a bit, maybe a head wind). by then he'd committed himself to coming out for it and had to follow through, and in the end panicked a bit. doesn't take away from the strike for me.

@ccaponigro said:

Just for fun is there anybody besides me that thinks if there are big improvements in LO and SU like data extraction, scheduleing etc. that autodesk will swoop in buy the whole thing and ether kill it or turn it into a monster like they did Architectural Desktop and Revit.

i came across this the other day. I've barely looked at it, but it looks like they're trying to get back some of the people that have left autocad for sketchup.

http://www.123dapp.com/

just signed up. heavens above site is good too

Heavens-Above

Satellite predictions and other astronomical data customised for your location.

(www.heavens-above.com)

Defo one of the best I've ever seen. The fact that the ball was so high up in the air when he kicked it, he really had to launch himself at it to even get to it.

Rooney shinned it as well, so it doesn't count.

this one ain't bad as far as overhead kicks go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oJJsVGDkcCY#!

@pbacot said:

Brian: Have you tried a dwg export or vector pdf to CAD? I think there a plugins for the dwg or dxf if you don't have pro.

thought never crossed my mind, i'll look into it, thanks Peter.

@bmike said:

have a look at my layout overview.
even if you don't go pro - there are lots of ways to setup your sketchup to streamline your workflow.

I'm sure I've watched it already, but just waiting for it load again now (rubbish internet connection) Thanks Mike

@dave r said:

That just sounds like a lot of work to me. If it works for you, great. If I had to work that way I think I'd quit and do something else.

It's not too bad, drawing out a clipping mask in layout sounds like a lot more work to me. Doesn't look like I'll be getting Pro and layout any time soon, so it'll have to do.