@bmike said:

you can also set up some templates. i have a few single page templates with dimensions, text, notes, etc. setup off to the side. i use these to get started.

yes, the sampling thing is a bit of a pain, and unintuitive, especially if you make up 'groups' of objects - like detail bubbles, leader lines, and text. the detail bubble may have a transparent fill, the text box the same, etc... but if you sample these things together as a group they can get wonky...

Cheers. I'm only using the trial version at the minute to see if i can make the jump to sketchup for planning/construction drawings etc. so i haven't spent the time setting up templates & scrapbooks. i guess efficiency (& resolutions to annoyances) will come with that.

@gaieus said:

@porch_unplugged said:

format dimension style

You can do that (unless I misunderstand what you wish)

how? at the minute, i have to draw a new dimension, select it, go to the dimension dialogue box, shape box & text box to change to what i want.

@gaieus said:

@porch_unplugged said:

be able to turn on or off sketchup layers

You need to create your scenes in SketchUp (with those layers on/off) and can load these scenes in LO (with the respective layers on/off).

yeah, i'm just looking for something a little easier. like if i forget to turn off a layer in sketchup for a scene, so that i don't have to go back into the sketchup model, change the scene, save and reload again in LO. just a time saver. or maybe i should just engage brain

cheers for responding so fast.

format dimension style
be able to turn on or off sketchup layers
speed it up!

Hi all. Doing my first complete sketchup project at the minute, so thought I'd chip in with my 2 cents on the discussion.

For me, the presentation drawing needs to be linked to the main model, otherwise it's a fairly pointless exercise. You might as well draw in CAD. Similar to Nick above, I'm using the model for plans, sections, elevations etc. all the large scale stuff. I'm then doing a library of details in sketchup (like I have in CAD that I've been working with for years), which I then add to the tender/construction documents package.

I've decided to make a jump (not the jump just yet) to sketchup because I know it gives the client a better understanding of the proposal, and to try and save time over a traditional 2D submission. The clients were impressed with the info the 3d model gave them (much more than the 2d CAD plans I had shown them); but the model has taken longer than 2d drawings (taking in to account the learning curve with LO).

However, I am only at planning application stage, but I already have about 80% of the tender info already contained in the model. So, over the full duration of a project it should work out quicker, with the client being happier and the contractor having a better understanding of the project. so we'll see how it goes.

The only thing I am not 100% on is the time needed to make changes once the model is fairly well advanced. eg. if the client wants to move a wall, the wall needs moving, as does the flooring, ceiling finish, structural elements etc. I think CAD handles something like that a lot quicker, so I'd appreciate any suggestions on that front.