@bmike said:

so how are you getting accurate dimensions in autocad by dimensioning jpgs?

like dave said, to each his own, but i get accurate dimensions...

maybe it's just me then.

At the minute(and i've only really started the thought process really) I'm importing the jpegs with a scale bar and just scaling up to 1:1 in cad. like i said, i can't snap to the end points for dimensions, so for the minute i'm scaling off the sketchup model, and offsetting construction lines in cad to snap to. not ideal i know, and i think i'll probably have to revert to using dimensions in sketchup so they export with the jpegs. this is my first project doing it this way (sketchup to cad), so i'm making it up as i go along. still only in sketch design, so ultra accurate dimensions aren't required yet.

@dave r said:

I see.

About 90% of the work I do in LayOut involves dimensions, lots of dimensions, and I don't have any trouble getting accurate dimensions. Maybe it's just me.

I started getting this ~ symbol in some dimensions as well as there being problems getting vertical dimensions from 2D elevations, where it was picking up different points in the 3rd dimension. i'm just so used to autocad dimensioning (setting up styles etc.) that it's second nature to me. only thing that annoys me is i can't snap to a point with the jpegs.

but sure if layout works for you, keep going.

@dave r said:

Ah, yes. I see.

Why aren't you using LayOut?

i've been using sketchup (free) casually for years, but really ramping up my use this year. I saw Nick Sonders video, and decided to give Layout and pro a chance. Did a full project in it to get a feel for it, but found a few things a bit annoying, slowness mostly, getting proper dimensions on 2D views, and a few other things. So i just left the trial run out, and haven't purchased the pro version (money is a bit tight for me at the minute ).

so since i was doing a lot in sketchup i needed someway to properly title drawings, so just decided to import jpegs into cad and use viewports like a normal cad drawing.

here you go Dave.

i kept my section cut face dark as i reckoned it looked good, especially with a light text for the drawing description placed in the dark area of the plinth (did this in autocad, not using Layout anymore, just exporting jpegs from sketchup and importing into cad, and scaling up as appropriate).

the bottom of the plinth can be moved down so you don't see the second heavy line, but i'm just clipping it with a viewport in cad.

I've just done a masks for a model with a steep enough gradient. I took the ground surface and built down below ground to create a plinth. I set up my views (2D elevations for now) using section planes, then added a section cut face to the section planes to hide all the unwanted geometry. the section cut face colour can then be changed to match the background leaving only the thick section cut line as the ground line. It was very quick to set up the 'plinth' and it gives the freedom to add and change any view with minimal extra work.

hope this makes sense.

@unknownuser said:

If you are more used to AutoCAd than SU, don't assume that layers are the same in both apps. They behave very diffrenetly in SU. In SU use 'Scenes' and 'Outliner' (under Window-Outliner)to control visibility. Consider putting all CAD info onto one layer (after cleaning up the CAD drawing first) before importing into SU. Try keep SU layers to a minimum at first.

if I'm importing a cad file into sketchup, I normally import it into a 'new' file (if I've been working on a model), delete all the layers and make a new one such as 'cad plan' or 'cad elevations' or whatever. then copy and paste into the main model file. no messing about with cad layers then.

I also use prefixes for my sketchup layers, e.g. s-furniture, or s-cars. this is helpful if I import something from the 3D warehouse that has some layers in it. I can then quickly identify which layers are not my own, delete and assign the imported model to the appropriate layer.

@unknownuser said:

Eight days on the forum without a comment, at first, I found that odd, but as I thought of a comment to post I realized the immense depth of your query.

There are no "this is the answer" that can't be challenged, scorned and poked at.

Architectural Communication, like a simple verbal statement, is a personal evaluation of your perspective.

I have been a practicing Architect for the past 55 years and have struggled all that time to find the "perfect" document format to convey my projects.

My documents, are my means of expressing "my" project expectations to a variety of individuals that have varied level of interest, understanding and interpretative ability.

A simple single line on a blank piece of paper could be a revaluation to some and a unanswered question to others.

So the question arises - what are you trying to say? who are you trying to say it to? and how important is the message? how important is it that it conveys your idea as you saw it, or an idea as they will see it.

Over time mankind has attempted to establish "standards" for graphic presentations.

They state that the title block goes in the lower right corner, or along the right edge, unless you put it all the way across the bottom instead of the top, but never diagonally, unless that is what you want.

I guess the point is, there is no point, other then your point, as to how it should be.

What is the way? your way or their way - any way, is the way of the day, so they say.

mind = blown

interesting thread. I've come across some shockingly illegible drawings from consultants down through the years. I get the feeling that they think fancy looking drawings are for the architects, while they get on with the 'real work'.

I think you just develop your own style as you progress. I use different programmes for different tasks, and sometimes combine them as well. And like the post above, I've started peeling back my lineweights, and putting a lot of stuff on different levels of grey (in autocad). Just try and be clear & crisp with your drawings, have lineweights and drawing detail levels associated with different plot scales.

thanks for sharing

ArchDaily had a piece on it yesterday, haven't heard anything since.

http://www.archdaily.com/279285/will-developers-demolish-the-david-wright-house-today/

@arcad-uk said:

I still think BIM is the most poorly defined acronym ever to be released on the construction industry but as it seems to be the buzzword of the decade and no doubt Trimble SU will be going there it would make sense to have a BIM sub-forum at least while it defines itself.

I would also be looking to read and learn from it.

Definitely agree. people are just slapping the term 'BIM' on anything in the hope that people will buy their product.

A BIM sub-forum would be a good idea. I personally would love if sketchup could be used to model info, generate quantities etc.

just downloaded your tree lines from the first post, cheers Oli

thanks for the reply Dave. yeah, small wedges were what I was thinking, tried it with a 6000mm radius and a wedge 2 degrees wide, and I just ended up with what looks like a psychedelic circular rug

hhhmmm, bit of a bummer that. I'm not great at photoshop, but i'll have to give it a shot.

Hi,

is there any way to get a linear looking material, e.g. the standard wood flooring material, and arrange it so it curves around a central point?

I have a round building, and I want to do the floor like this.

Cheers

a number of options

1. you could just give the skp file to the client and tell them they can do whatever they want with it, but that you have the main file.
2. make a copy of the skp file for the client, delete 'sensitive' layers and then send it to them.

if you're worried about a public release of your drawing, tell your client you have copy write on the drawing, and it's not for redistribution.

sending out a 'read only' drawing won't really do anything for you imo.

I came across this when i was working in layout a couple of weeks ago. I just ended up putting dimensions in the sketchup model and layering it properly. it would be handy to have it fixed though.

well there ya go, I was on to something

@joseph ejc said:

Surely there's an easier way to create revision clouds than by actually drawing multiple arcs... What am I missing?

maybe draw one, save into a scrapbook and re-use, scaling up or down as required.

@bmike said:

another recent project:

very nice. did you do your foundation details as 2D's in layout?

@desertraven said:

I still want a constraint override button or keyboard shortcut and Object Snap Options! (also fix that center snap I'm tired of hovering)

came in here to post exactly this.

wow, really helpful collection. saved me a lot of time setting up my own, cheers.