Dave is correct, your scene in layout becomes modified once you right click into the model. That action detaches the reference from you saved scene.
Make sure you:
@cady said:
Sonder / bmike,
I am very new to sketchup so I not really sure how to even ask the question. I come from a background in solidwork and work in manufacturing doing parametric modeling.
If I use the method that you described and something in the models changes how to you remember what details need to me adjusted since they are separate from the base model?
It sounds like you have geometry in 2 different places. While it may not be exact duplicate geometry it seems as a change in one place could affect the details that are in a separate file. It obviously works very well as is apparent from you post here I am just not really figuring it out.
Exactly what ArCAD_UK said.
Changes and the time it takes all depends on your use of groups and components. I typically group all geometries seperately. As an example, my entire roof is in a group on layer "roof. Inside that group, every individual roof geometry in its own group or is a component if it is repeated. Every structural element is an indiviudal component. This way you can make changes easily without compromising adjacent geometry. For me it is much faster and more cohesive than changes in ACAD.
I deal with some pretty complex rooflines and have gone through the process several times, and at least that process works well for me.
Have you tested each? Even the low quality, at least on the pc is a very high quality compared to most PDF writers. In fact, I never go higher than medium to keep the file size down.
@pbacot said:
@unknownuser said:
One thing for sure, I find the continuity and level of detail I can provide in SU & LO far superior to ACAD. I just got my fourth full CD set approved by the local building department. All 4 sets were approved on the first submittal with no comments. I've found that my scrapbooks work like an internal checklist, so it becomes difficult to miss all the specific notation required here near Tahoe.
Excellent way to work! Congratulations. That is always gratifying, but at the scale and detail of your projects, this is close to miraculous.
Thanks! The building department has been very curious how I am preparing these. I'm just starting 4 more for the winter. This one breaks ground today:
My work flow is very similar to bmike.
My base model creates all site plans, floor plans, exterior and interior elevations, sections, roof plan and reflected ceiling plans. I do use it for some detailing, where I am viewing something non-extruded, such as a stair newel post.
All my details are vignettes based on the model. Over the years, I probably have 350+ details. Some have become standards, while others are edited for the specific job.
I think trying to model everything in a single model is admirable, but not really necessary to convey the message.
I am working on a whole set of wall, floor and roof types, that will be linked to my sections, but that is still in the works.
One thing for sure, I find the continuity and level of detail I can provide in SU & LO far superior to ACAD. I just got my fourth full CD set approved by the local building department. All 4 sets were approved on the first submittal with no comments. I've found that my scrapbooks work like an internal checklist, so it becomes difficult to miss all the specific notation required here near Tahoe.
Seems like your doubling the work. I stopped using ACAD over a year ago, so I won't be too much help. You can export either model space or paper space, it is one of the selections in the export option. If you messed with the extension lines of the dimensions, yes you may have disconnected it from the snap point. This would be reflected in ACAD. It is exporting individual pages because you have paper space selected.
Further processed in ACAD always means to me, simplified to simple line drawings......kind of like going back in time. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
@utiler said:
Gee Nick, there must be something you can do about that!!! How do you transfer files to sub- consultants electronically?
I lower the PDF file size through acrobat if need be. Typically I just use Dropbox so the best quality goes through. The 400+mb files are out to bid to 4 contractors and no one has complained. All contractors only received the download link. The print quality at that size is outstanding.
I'm really impressed with this software. Pretty remarkable in both speed and quality!
Great video Mike! We have very similar workflow. Anything that has to do with the design is in SU. All notation, dimensions and drafting elements like grids or symbols are in Layout. The only difference is I pull the section cut linework such as the post, into Layout to vector render it over the raster render.
And yes the PDF files get pretty large. I have one set of CD's that is 425Mb!
@seasdes said:
I have tried using Layout for construction docs. All went well until I tried to draw sectional views through a house. The problem I found was that Layout was too slow when trying to offset lines and draw lines using polar coordinates (ie distance and angle method of drawing lines).
What do other Layout users do in this situation?
In Sketchup, when you cut the section, create a group from slice. This creates matching line work for the section cut. You can then, either:
Either works well and really fast. Layout vector renders isolated line work almost instantly. It slows down when you try to vector render an entire model.
@chrisglasier said:
@unknownuser said:
I'm doing quite well at it right now - not a single roll of drawings in my office.
But are there still huge piles of drawings in your projects' site offices?
My personal site office is me and my ipad, so no.. The contractors generally keep a couple sets on site, but even they are walking around with ipads these days - not all of them, but more and more are primarily working off pdf's then hard copies.
Agreed - beautiful work as always!
@bob james said:
@jgb said:
@unknownuser said:
Agreed. I am in the process of going almost completely paperless.
The "paperless office" has about as much chance of success as the paperless toilet!
We have four Toto toilets with Washlets (think Bidet). No paper. So you just never know
I don't know, that might be one paper I'll keep. The thought of what that toilet may look like after a hard weekend scares me a little.
@jgb said:
@unknownuser said:
Agreed. I am in the process of going almost completely paperless.
The "paperless office" has about as much chance of success as the paperless toilet!
This is why most offices cannot do it. They think like this. You just have to change your attitude and approach. You're probably still writing checks
I'm doing quite well at it right now - not a single roll of drawings in my office.
@pbacot said:
@unknownuser said:
Agreed. I am in the process of going almost completely paperless. A couple of our local building departments are starting up the process of digital reviews.
Just hope by that they don't mean dwg or dwf. Will be nice. On some jobs we've just uploaded to print service and what people ordered (DL pdf or prints) was up to them. But no movement around here to go digital at the building dept. I am surprised it's more advanced up there on the "hill".
No, it will be PDF format. There are too many variations between acad users to make review of cad files work. It still needs to be a static output form that can be produced by different programs like old school paper.
Agreed. I am in the process of going almost completely paperless. A couple of our local building departments are starting up the process of digital reviews. That said, I just bought a new HP T790 plotter 
@pbacot said:
@unknownuser said:
Some architects would put on the drawings: "Do not scale these plans. Written dimensions govern..." etc. This would be a case of saying "Please scale these plans exactly to the site, with laser accuracy." (This should provide more work for modelers, hopefully paid for by the client.)
Edit: A direct field to SU connection IS exciting though.
I've found it more difficult to model not to scale. I've removed that note from all my plans and actually now tell contractors the opposite - "go ahead and scale them"
I think this could result in even more collaboration as having a field model during foundation set and framing would really help speed up the understanding of the build.
I see this as purely wonderful. The interface between the architect and the land surveyor just got much easier for me. This will be a wonderul tool as well early in design to test home positioning to view in the field (pretty big aspect of home design along with solar orientation where I am).
@utiler said:
@arcad-uk said:
I'm with Mike. The existing arrangement can quickly mess up any layer management. I now only have three layers 1. Paper, 2. Viewports, 3. Notes. I used to have a similar layer setup to Mike but until we can pre-assign layers (& properties) to entities I found I was wasting too much time moving entities onto their "correct" layer. I still have fun making sure my viewports & notes remain separate.
I'm with Mike and ArCAD-UK...... consider this:
You create a multitude of scrapbook elements to use in documentation. Currently you need to be on the you want elements to reside on in order to drag them into the drawing which is the biggest pain in the &^%$#$! Layout gives you!! What's the point of putting any data in Scrapbook on ANY layer at all if this is the case. You shouldn't have to continually layer hop before adding data to a drawing. It is monotonous and way too time consuming....
OK this is an excellent point regarding scrapbooks especially. I see now that what I like about it should be the option not the standard.
