The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture E-Book

Michael Brightman

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 499

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

A guide for leveraging SketchUp for any project size, type, or style. New construction or renovation. The revised and updated second edition of The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture offers guidelines for taking SketchUp to the next level in order to incorporate it into every phase of the architectural design process. The text walks through each step of the SketchUp process from the early stages of schematic design and model organization for both renovation and new construction projects to final documentation and shows how to maximize the LayOut toolset for drafting and presentations. Written by a noted expert in the field, the text is filled with tips and techniques to access the power of SketchUp and its related suite of tools. The book presents a flexible workflow method that helps to make common design tasks easier and gives users the information needed to incorporate varying degrees of SketchUp into their design process. Filled with best practices for organizing projects and drafting schematics, this resource also includes suggestions for working with LayOut, an underused but valuable component of SketchUp Pro. In addition, tutorial videos compliment the text and clearly demonstrate more advanced methods. This important text: * Presents intermediate and advanced techniques for architects who want to use SketchUp in all stages of the design process * Includes in-depth explanations on using the LayOut tool set that contains example plans, details, sections, presentations, and other information * Updates the first edition to reflect the changes to SketchUp 2018 and the core functionalities, menus, tools, inferences, arc tools, reporting, and much more * Written by a SketchUp authorized trainer who has an active online platform and extensive connections within the SketchUp community * Contains accompanying tutorial videos that demonstrate some of the more advanced SketchUp tips and tricks Written for professional architects, as well as professionals in interior design and landscape architecture, The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture offers a revised and updated resource for using SketchUp in all aspects of the architectural design process.

Leseprobe

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Part I: Starting the Flow

Chapter 1: Introduction

The Updated Workflow

Who Should Read This Book?

What's in This Book?

What are the Prerequisites?

SketchUp Make or SketchUp Pro?

Online Content

Mental Preparation

Portfolio

Chapter Points

Chapter 2: Building Information Modeling

What is BIM?

SketchUp and LayOut as BIM

Filling in the BIM Blanks

BIM Burnout

The SketchUp Outlook

Chapter Points

Chapter 3: Hardware

Mac versus PC

Specs

Comparison Shopping

Systems

Chapter Points

Chapter 4: File and Folder Management

Folders and Files

Cloud Storage

Archiving

Chapter Points

Part II: SketchUp

Chapter 5: SketchUp Basics

Five Core Concepts

Leveraging SketchUp

Modeling Strategy

Precise Modeling

Creating Geometry

Organizing Geometry with Containers

Section Planes

Layers, Styles, and Scenes

Chapter Points

Chapter 6: The Professional's SketchUp Template

Base Template

Model Info

Standard Layers

Styles

Utility Scenes

Chapter Points

Chapter 7: The Professional's SketchUp Environment

Toolbars

Trays and Dialogs

System Preferences

Chapter Points

Chapter 8: SketchUp Collections

Material Collection

Component Collections

Styles Collection

Chapter Points

Chapter 9: Extensions

Find Extensions

Installing Extensions

Using Extensions

Recommended Extensions

Chapter Points

Part III: LayOut

Chapter 10: Introduction to LayOut

What is LayOut?

Why LayOut?

Chapter Points

Chapter 11: The LayOut Interface

Getting Started

Main Toolbar

Document Setup

Preferences Window

Inspectors

Chapter Points

Chapter 12: The Professional's LayOut Environment

New Presentation

System Preferences

Custom Toolbars

Trays

Basic LayOut Template

Chapter Points

Chapter 13: LayOut Tools

Navigating LayOut

Drawing Tools

Annotation Tools

Tables

Modification Tools

Chapter Points

Chapter 14: Inserting Content

Working with SketchUp Models

Working with Images

Working with Text

Working with Tables

Managing References

Working with CAD

Chapter Points

Part IV: Model Organization

Chapter 15: Model Organization Overview

Core Concepts of Model Organization

Nesting Groups and Layers

Simplify the System

Expand the System

Chapter Points

Chapter 16: New Construction

New Construction Process

The BLVD Coffee Shop Project

Chapter Points

Chapter 17: Renovation

Renovation Process

The Milwaukee Street Renovation Project

Chapter Points

Part V: Visualization

Chapter 18: Introduction to Visualization/Preparation

Presentations

Real Objects

Populating a Scene

Preparing a Model

Chapter Points

Chapter 19: Rendering

SketchUp Stills

SketchUp Animations

Photorealistic Rendering

Chapter Points

Chapter 20: Altered Reality

Virtual Reality

Augmented Reality

Chapter Points

Part VI: Construction Documents

Chapter 21: Crucial Concepts for Construction Documents

Always Off

Level of Detail

Representing Objects

Section Planes

Rendering Settings Theory

Line Weight Theory

Stacking Viewports

Hatching

Chapter Points

Chapter 22: Title Blocks

Templates

Chapter Points

Chapter 23: Drawings

Drawings

Chapter Points

Chapter 24: Annotations

Annotations

Scrapbooks

Using Collections

Chapter Points

Chapter 25: Exporting

Exporting to PDF

Exporting to CAD

Conclusion

Chapter Points

Index

End User License Agreement

List of Tables

List of Illustrations

Figure 1.1

Figure 1.2

Figure 1.3

Figure 1.4

Figure 1.5

Figure 1.6

Figure 1.7

Figure 1.8

Figure 1.9

Figure 1.10

Figure 1.11

Figure 1.12

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2

Figure 2.3

Figure 2.4

Figure 2.5

Figure 2.6

Figure 2.7

Figure 2.8

Figure 2.9

Figure 3.1

Figure 3.2

Figure 3.3

Figure 3.4

Figure 3.5

Figure 3.6

Figure 3.7

Figure 3.8

Figure 3.9

Figure 3.10

Figure 3.11

Figure 3.12

Figure 3.13

Figure 3.14

Figure 3.15

Figure 3.16

Figure 3.17

Figure 3.18

Figure 4.1

Figure 4.2

Figure 4.3

Figure 4.4

Figure 4.5

Figure 4.6

Figure 4.7

Figure 4.8

Figure 4.9

Figure 4.10

Figure 4.11

Figure 4.12

Figure 4.13

Figure 4.14

Figure 4.15

Figure 4.16

Figure 4.17

Figure 4.18

Figure 4.19

Figure 4.20

Figure 4.21

Figure 5.1

Figure 5.2

Figure 5.3

Figure 5.4

Figure 5.5

Figure 5.6

Figure 5.7

Figure 5.8

Figure 5.9

Figure 5.10

Figure 5.11

Figure 5.12

Figure 5.13

Figure 5.14

Figure 5.15

Figure 5.16

Figure 5.17

Figure 5.18

Figure 5.19

Figure 5.20

Figure 5.21

Figure 5.22

Figure 5.23

Figure 5.24

Figure 5.25

Figure 5.26

Figure 5.27

Figure 5.28

Figure 5.29

Figure 5.30

Figure 5.31

Figure 5.32

Figure 5.33

Figure 5.34

Figure 5.35

Figure 5.36

Figure 5.37

Figure 5.38

Figure 5.39

Figure 5.40

Figure 5.41

Figure 5.42

Figure 5.43

Figure 5.44

Figure 5.45

Figure 5.46

Figure 5.47

Figure 5.48

Figure 5.49

Figure 5.50

Figure 5.51

Figure 5.52

Figure 5.53

Figure 5.54

Figure 5.55

Figure 5.56

Figure 5.57

Figure 5.58

Figure 5.59

Figure 5.60

Figure 5.61

Figure 5.62

Figure 5.63

Figure 5.64

Figure 5.65

Figure 5.66

Figure 5.67

Figure 5.68

Figure 5.69

Figure 5.70

Figure 5.71

Figure 5.72

Figure 5.73

Figure 5.74

Figure 5.75

Figure 5.76

Figure 5.77

Figure 5.78

Figure 5.79

Figure 6.1

Figure 6.2

Figure 6.3

Figure 6.4

Figure 6.5

Figure 6.6

Figure 6.7

Figure 6.8

Figure 6.9

Figure 6.10

Figure 6.110

Figure 6.12

Figure 6.13

Figure 6.14

Figure 6.15

Figure 6.16

Figure 6.17

Figure 6.18

Figure 6.19

Figure 6.20

Figure 6.21

Figure 6.22

Figure 6.23

Figure 6.24

Figure 6.25

Figure 6.26

Figure 6.27

Figure 6.28

Figure 7.1

Figure 7.2

Figure 7.3

Figure 7.4

Figure 7.5

Figure 7.6

Figure 7.7

Figure 7.8

Figure 7.9

Figure 7.10

Figure 7.11

Figure 7.12

Figure 8.1

Figure 8.2

Figure 8.3

Figure 8.4

Figure 8.5

Figure 8.6

Figure 8.7

Figure 8.8

Figure 8.9

Figure 8.10

Figure 8.11

Figure 8.12

Figure 8.13

Figure 8.14

Figure 8.15

Figure 8.16

Figure 8.17

Figure 8.18

Figure 8.19

Figure 9.1

Figure 9.2

Figure 9.3

Figure 9.4

Figure 9.5

Figure 9.6

Figure 9.7

Figure 9.8

Figure 9.9

Figure 10.1

Figure 10.2

Figure 10.3

Figure 10.4

Figure 10.5

Figure 10.6

Figure 10.7

Figure 10.8

Figure 10.9

Figure 11.1

Figure 11.2

Figure 11.3

Figure 11.4

Figure 11.5

Figure 11.6

Figure 11.7

Figure 11.8

Figure 11.9

Figure 11.10

Figure 11.11

Figure 11.12

Figure 11.13

Figure 11.14

Figure 11.15

Figure 11.16

Figure 11.17

Figure 11.18

Figure 11.19

Figure 11.20

Figure 11.21

Figure 11.22

Figure 11.23

Figure 11.24

Figure 11.25

Figure 11.26

Figure 11.27

Figure 11.28

Figure 11.29

Figure 12.1

Figure 12.2

Figure 12.3

Figure 12.4

Figure 12.5

Figure 12.6

Figure 12.7

Figure 12.8

Figure 12.9

Figure 12.10

Figure 12.11

Figure 12.12

Figure 12.13

Figure 12.14

Figure 13.1

Figure 13.2

Figure 13.3

Figure 13.4

Figure 13.5

Figure 13.6

Figure 13.7

Figure 13.8

Figure 13.9

Figure 13.10

Figure 13.11

Figure 13.12

Figure 13.13

Figure 13.14

Figure 13.15

Figure 13.16

Figure 13.17

Figure 13.18

Figure 13.19

Figure 13.20

Figure 13.21

Figure 13.22

Figure 13.23

Figure 13.24

Figure 13.25

Figure 13.26

Figure 13.27

Figure 13.28

Figure 13.29

Figure 13.30

Figure 13.31

Figure 13.32

Figure 14.1

Figure 14.2

Figure 14.3

Figure 14.4

Figure 14.5

Figure 14.6

Figure 14.7

Figure 14.8

Figure 14.9

Figure 14.10

Figure 14.11

Figure 14.12

Figure 15.1

Figure 15.2

Figure 15.3

Figure 15.4

Figure 15.5

Figure 15.6

Figure 15.7

Figure 15.8

Figure 15.9

Figure 15.10

Figure 15.11

Figure 15.12

Figure 15.13

Figure 15.14

Figure 15.15

Figure 15.16

Figure 15.17

Figure 15.18

Figure 15.19

Figure 15.20

Figure 15.21

Figure 15.22

Figure 15.23

Figure 15.24

Figure 15.25

Figure 15.26

Figure 15.27

Figure 15.28

Figure 15.29

Figure 15.30

Figure 15.31

Figure 15.32

Figure 15.33

Figure 15.34

Figure 16.1

Figure 16.2

Figure 16.3

Figure 16.4

Figure 16.5

Figure 16.6

Figure 16.7

Figure 16.8

Figure 16.9

Figure 16.10

Figure 16.11

Figure 16.12

Figure 16.13

Figure 16.14

Figure 16.15

Figure 16.16

Figure 16.17

Figure 16.18

Figure 16.19

Figure 16.20

Figure 16.21

Figure 16.22

Figure 16.23

Figure 16.24

Figure 16.25

Figure 16.26

Figure 16.27

Figure 16.28

Figure 16.29

Figure 16.30

Figure 16.31

Figure 16.32

Figure 16.33

Figure 17.1

Figure 17.2

Figure 17.3

Figure 17.5

Figure 17.6

Figure 17.7

Figure 17.8

Figure 17.9

Figure 17.10

Figure 17.11

Figure 17.12

Figure 17.13

Figure 17.14

Figure 17.15

Figure 17.16

Figure 17.17

Figure 17.18

Figure 17.19

Figure 17.20

Figure 17.21

Figure 17.22

Figure 17.23

Figure 17.24

Figure 17.25

Figure 17.26

Figure 17.27

Figure 17.28

Figure 17.29

Figure 17.30

Figure 17.31

Figure 17.32

Figure 17.33

Figure 17.34

Figure 17.35

Figure 17.36

Figure 17.37

Figure 17.38

Figure 17.39

Figure 17.40

Figure 17.41

Figure 17.42

Figure 17.43

Figure 18.1

Figure 18.2

Figure 18.3

Figure 18.4

Figure 18.5

Figure 18.6

Figure 18.7

Figure 18.8

Figure 18.9

Figure 18.10

Figure 18.11

Figure 18.12

Figure 18.13

Figure 19.1

Figure 19.2

Figure 19.3

Figure 19.4

Figure 19.5

Figure 19.6

Figure 19.7

Figure 19.8

Figure 19.9

Figure 19.10

Figure 19.11

Figure 19.12

Figure 19.13

Figure 19.14

Figure 19.15

Figure 19.16

Figure 20.1

Figure 20.2

Figure 20.3

Figure 20.4

Figure 20.5

Figure 20.7

Figure 20.8

Figure 21.1

Figure 21.2

Figure 21.3

Figure 21.4

Figure 21.5

Figure 21.6

Figure 21.7

Figure 21.8

Figure 21.9

Figure 21.10

Figure 21.11

Figure 21.12

Figure 21.13

Figure 21.14

Figure 21.15

Figure 21.16

Figure 21.17

Figure 21.18

Figure 21.19

Figure 22.1

Figure 22.2

Figure 22.3

Figure 22.4

Figure 22.5

Figure 22.6

Figure 22.7

Figure 22.8

Figure 22.9

Figure 22.10

Figure 22.11

Figure 22.12

Figure 22.13

Figure 22.14

Figure 22.15

Figure 22.16

Figure 22.17

Figure 22.18

Figure 22.19

Figure 22.20

Figure 22.21

Figure 22.22

Figure 22.23

Figure 22.24

Figure 22.25

Figure 22.26

Figure 22.27

Figure 22.28

Figure 22.29

Figure 22.30

Figure 22.31

Figure 23.1

Figure 23.2

Figure 23.3

Figure 23.4

Figure 23.5

Figure 23.6

Figure 23.7

Figure 23.8

Figure 23.9

Figure 23.10

Figure 23.11

Figure 23.12

Figure 23.13

Figure 23.14

Figure 23.15

Figure 23.16

Figure 23.17

Figure 23.18

Figure 23.19

Figure 23.20

Figure 23.21

Figure 23.22

Figure 23.23

Figure 23.24

Figure 23.25

Figure 23.26

Figure 23.27

Figure 23.28

Figure 23.29

Figure 23.30

Figure 23.31

Figure 23.32

Figure 23.33

Figure 23.34

Figure 23.35

Figure 23.36

Figure 23.37

Figure 23.38

Figure 23.39

Figure 23.40

Figure 23.41

Figure 23.42

Figure 23.43

Figure 24.1

Figure 24.2

Figure 24.3

Figure 24.4

Figure 24.5

Figure 24.6

Figure 24.7

Figure 24.8

Figure 24.9

Figure 24.10

Figure 24.11

Figure 24.12

Figure 24.13

Figure 24.14

Figure 24.15

Figure 24.16

Figure 24.17

Figure 24.18

Figure 24.19

Figure 24.20

Figure 24.21

Figure 24.22

Figure 24.23

Figure 24.24

Figure 24.25

Figure 24.26

Figure 24.27

Figure 24.28

Figure 24.29

Figure 20.30

Figure 25.1

Figure 25.2

Figure 25.3

Figure 25.4

Figure 25.5

Figure 25.6

Guide

Cover

Table of Contents

Part 1

Chapter 1

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TheSketchUp Workflowfor Architecture

Modeling Buildings, Visualizing Design, and Creating Construction Documents with SketchUp Pro and LayOut

Second Edition

Michael Brightman

Cover image and design: Luke Vercia

Copyright © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone], or on the web at www.copyright.com. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, [phone], fax [phone], or online at www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with the respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom.

For general information about our other products and services, please contact our Customer Care Department within the United States at [phone], outside the United States at [phone] or fax [phone].

Wiley publishes in a variety of print and electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some material included with standard print versions of this book may not be included in e-books or in print-on-demand. If this book refers to media such as a CD or DVD that is not included in the version you purchased, you may download this material at http://booksupport.wiley.com. For more information about Wiley products, visit www.wiley.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Names: Brightman, Michael, 1980- author.

Title: The SketchUp workflow for architecture : modeling buildings, visualizing design, and creating construction documents with SketchUp Pro and LayOut / by Michael Brightman.

Description: Second edition. | Hoboken, New Jersey : Wiley, 2018. | Includes index. |

Identifiers: LCCN 2018011134 (print) | LCCN 2018011521 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119383635 (paperback) | ISBN 9781119383659 (epdf) | ISBN 9781119383642 (epub) | ISBN 9781119410171 (oBook)

Subjects: LCSH: Architectural drawing—Computer-aided design. | Architectural Design—Data processing. | SketchUp. | BISAC: ARCHITECTURE / Design, Drafting, Drawing & Presentation.

Classification: LCC NA2728 (ebook) | LCC NA2728 .B75 2018 (print) | DDC 720.28/40285668—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018011134

For my mom, Becky Yovich, in appreciation of her infinite love, support, and encouragement.

For my loyal dog, Kodiak, whose daily companionship and late night camaraderie are sincerely missed.

And for my wonderful and loving wife, Marisa, who keeps a smile on my face.

Part IStarting the Flow

Get ready to elevate your SketchUp skills and design workflow to the highest radical extremes of efficiency. The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture contains tips, tricks, and strategies for modeling in SketchUp as well as methods to leverage SketchUp and LayOut during every step of the design process. Let's start with a few tips on how to get the most out of this book, how building information modeling (BIM) plays a part in the SketchUp workflow, how to select a computer for three-dimensional (3D) modeling and design, and how to effectively manage a PROJECT folder.

The big idea is that this book shows the big picture, fills in some details, and directs you to fill in other details on your own. Tech changes fast, so it's better to understand the big picture. Be armed with the tools to figure it out on your own. Always know you can find the latest on the Brightman Designs blog and “The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture” page at brightmandesigns.com/TSWFA.

Chapter 1Introduction

This book is the missing set of standards for SketchUp and LayOut. The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture provides a flexible, clear set of rules for organizing any type of building project in SketchUp: renovation, new construction, residential, commercial, high-rise, low-rise, industrial. It is up to the user to process these techniques and strategies and then apply them to projects. In this chapter, you will pick up a few tips on how to best absorb the information and get the most out of this book.

This book covers advanced concepts performed with advanced operations. These are not workarounds; rather, they are clever ways to use SketchUp to expedite the design process. With The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture and some practice, you will be able to:

☑ Speak knowledgeably about BIM

☑ Select the right computer for 3D modeling and design

☑ Speak confidently about computer components, hardware, and specs

☑ Organize and manage PROJECT folders in an efficient manner

☑ Effectively use the modeling tools and organization containers in SketchUp

☑ Create and customize a time-saving SketchUp template

☑ Tailor the SketchUp modeling environment to fit your professional needs

☑ Create and organize collections for materials, components, styles, and templates

☑ Find, install, and utilize valuable extensions

☑ Fully understand the value of LayOut and its dynamic links to SketchUp and other insertable content

☑ Tailor the LayOut drafting environment to fit your professional needs

☑ Find or create building context models around a specific site

☑ Efficiently document existing buildings and create accurate as-built drawings using SketchUp Pro and LayOut

☑ Transition a design model into an accurate 3D model

☑ Create inspiring LayOut presentations that accurately represent your designs

☑ Accurately model and organize various types of buildings in SketchUp Pro

☑ Prepare a model for photorealistic renderings and virtual reality presentations

☑ Extract information from SketchUp and LayOut in useful formats for use in other computer-aided design (CAD) programs, for yourself and consultants

☑ Create and organize collections for scrapbooks and title blocks

☑ Compile and draft construction documents using SketchUp Pro and LayOut

The Updated Workflow

The term “workflow” loosely describes the collection of tools designers use and the order in which they use those tools to produce a final design. Designers use many different tools and software to produce their final products, which are typically new, built environments; some of many initial products are construction documents.

Many different workflows can be used to design and create construction documents; however, the best workflows minimize the use of several different programs because something always gets lost during translation between programs.

The workflow explained in this book uses SketchUp and LayOut as the primary tool for every phase of the design process. You can use other programs to supplement SketchUp, but SketchUp Pro and LayOut are at the core of this process. For example, you could use an image editor to postprocess exports and modify textures, but you will simply be using the image editor to complement SketchUp. As another example, you could use a spreadsheet program for schedules, but keep all your drafting in SketchUp and LayOut.

There are also peripheral programs such as Lumion for photorealistic rendering and extensions such as ConDoc that will drastically increase efficiency when using this system.

TIPConDoc was created after the first edition was published. This extension simplifies and automates the entire SketchUp Workflow for Architecture and is highly recommended for professionals.

This workflow is not a regimented design process; you can adapt all or part of it and use the organizational and design tips. The process of moving from sketches to construction documents is expedited by the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture (Figure 1.1).

Figure 1.1The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture.

The evolution of a client's vision to an actual building involves many small steps and phases. There is no right or wrong way to produce a design, but there are critics out there who will judge your designs. The most important audiences, however, are your clients. The more time you spend on the design, the better. The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture is focused on design and will ultimately provide more time for you to explore real designs in three dimensions.

Who Should Read This Book?

Anyone interested in mastering SketchUp will benefit greatly from this book—architects, landscape architects, designers, interior designers, contractors. Large firms, one-man shows, and every office size in between can benefit. If you are using SketchUp to design a built space, you should practice the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture. Most sizable firms already have a design workflow with 3D BIM software and standards in place. BIM is excellent for huge projects with extensive scheduling and square footage, but does it really help on the smaller projects? For large firms, the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture will fit in where a bloated, overfeatured software suite is not necessary. Also, large firms will benefit from the standards, which will get the entire team on the same page. The techniques in this book give you the freedom to simplify your model by including only the building information you need to get the project done on time.

On the other end of the spectrum is the one-man show looking to cut overhead costs. When compared to other popular design and documentation programs available on the market, this workflow is very inexpensive. By adding a few plugins to SketchUp Pro, you'll have full capability to efficiently design, draft, render, analyze, and document any project.

This book speaks directly to professionals, someone who works for fees and has the ability to invest time and money to increase workflow efficiency. A professional sees a benefit in charging fixed fees and finding tools that reduce hours, realizing higher hourly rates. This book will make you faster, more organized and efficient, resulting in faster turnarounds and increased profits.

Anyone who reads this book will take away excellent organization and problem-solving strategies for SketchUp. The techniques presented will help any designer create more engaging and accurate 3D models that are easily shared across several platforms.

What's in This Book?

The advanced concepts and operations covered in this book are organized into five separate and distinct parts.

Part I: Starting the Flow

Part I takes care of some administrative tasks and disclaimers common in an instructional software book. In Part I, you will learn the benefits of using SketchUp Pro and LayOut, and you will be introduced to the power of this system. Also, you will be exposed to a new way of thinking about BIM. The intimidating task of selecting a computer is demystified. Part I wraps up by explaining folder and file organization techniques that will help keep your projects running smoothly.

Part II: SketchUp

In Part II, you will learn the basic, intermediate, and advanced SketchUp skills necessary to complete the exercises in this book. You will also tune your SketchUp environment for professional use. You will learn to create utility styles and scenes, custom layers, and ultimately your own custom default template. Even if you are an experienced SketchUp user, you will benefit from the refresher and most likely will develop a new understanding of the old features.

Figure 1.2The SketchUp logo.

Part III: LayOut

Part III is an “everything you need to know” guide for LayOut. At times, this section may read more like a manual than a tutorial because it explains every menu, dialog, and setting you will come across in SketchUp's two-dimensional (2D) counterpart. Study this part closely even if you have used LayOut previously. The skills you learn in Part III will make you a fast and effective draftsman.

Figure 1.3The LayOut logo.

Part IV: Model Organization

Part IV is everything you need to know about putting your model together, an overview map of nesting groups and layering. This part includes a detailed description of each layer and the contents that belong in the group it is assigned. In this part, you will also see a full illustration of a renovation and new construction timeline. When you start a new project, you will likely visit this chapter when you kick off. This is a reference chapter that will keep you on track for many years to come.

Part V: Visualization

Part V is a crash course in visualization, which is used to communicate design in different media. Each presentation type, stills, animations, virtual tours, and virtual reality all have respective strengths and weaknesses and appropriate times to be used. You will learn about preparing a model for rendering in SketchUp and LayOut and open your workflow to endless professional visual capabilities with external rendering programs and internal extensions. Although you won't get a lot of step-by-step instructions, you will learn where to look for more information and how to prepare your models for any visualization program.

Part VI: Construction Documents

Part VI brings everything together for the final dance. Meticulous model organization pays off big when you are building construction documents. You will now dissect your model to stack viewports into descriptive construction diagrams including multiple types of plans, sections, elevations, and details. Included in this part are more than a dozen recipes for mixing styles, layers, and line weights into beautiful construction documents. This part also covers creating title blocks, compiling scrapbook collections, and adding annotations to clarify your drawings. Part VI closes with exporting for print, sharing work with consultants, and migrating to other CAD programs.

What are the Prerequisites?

This is an extremely advanced book. It assumes that you are already familiar with many of the tools and basic functions in SketchUp, including groups, components, edges, surfaces, dividing surfaces, styles, layers, and scenes. You also need to know and understand basic computer terms and concepts such as right-click, left-click, windows, files, folders, drop-down menus, zipped, unzip, extract, etc.

To make the most of this book, you should have some experience with SketchUp, but even if you don't, you can still benefit. You don't have to have any experience with LayOut. Parts II and III cover the essential skills you'll need to complete the advanced exercises in Parts IV, V, and VI.

The following resources will help you make the most of this book:

☑ SketchUp for Professionals is an excellent class to help you get over the initial SketchUp learning curve; it is offered for free at

brightmandesigns.com/learn

. The topics covered in SketchUp for Professionals include creating geometry, modifying geometry, ConDoc tools, LayOut, inference locking, and ultimately building and rendering a master suite. It includes several building exercises that pull everything together and extended content that is commercially available.

☑ SketchUp for Professionals Advanced is a commercially available class that covers the next level of intermediate concepts; it is available at

brightmandesigns.com/learn

. The topics covered include groups, components, layers, scenes, styles, LayOut, geo-modeling, and effective model organization. Complex modeling operations to create geometry show you how to build the models that you will use in this book from the very beginning.

☑ LayOut for Professionals is a commercially available class that covers LayOut, step by step, from the beginning. It is offered at

brightmandesigns.com/learn

.

☑ File Management for Professionals is a commercially available class that covers the basics of managing and organizing your projects, resources, and computer. Avoid losing work and save time with these strategies. This course is offered at

brightmandesigns.com/learn

.

These classes are a tremendous help before absorbing everything in this book and provide a solid foundation, but they are not required to utilize the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture. Everything you need to organize your models is included in this book.

Figure 1.4The SketchUp for Professionals logo.

SketchUp Make or SketchUp Pro?

SketchUp Make and my.SketchUp are for hobbyists—they are intended for the weekend warrior designing a deck or a doghouse. These free versions have been stripped of many capabilities that are needed to create professional presentations; they lack exporters for 3D models and can't create high-resolution images or animations, features that professionals need.

SketchUp Pro contains everything professionals need to create engaging and precise presentations that accurately represent their designs. Using the Pro version, you can present and explain 3D designs in LayOut (2D page-creation software included with SketchUp Pro), use several export options to share work (including .dwg format), and create high-definition (HD) animations and high-resolution renderings. Figure 1.5 compares the features of SketchUp and SketchUp Pro.

Figure 1.5Features of SketchUp and SketchUp Pro

TIP Read the end-user licensed agreement—you have agreed to not use the free version for commercial projects. If you are making money in any way using SketchUp for work, you should pay for a pro license.

Online Content

Many of the exercises in this book require digital files to illustrate certain points in the tutorials. You can download all of the class files for the entire book at brightmandesigns.com/TSWFA. Once you have downloaded the files, extract the folder and all contents to your desktop or an appropriate project folder (or to the TEMP folder, see Chapter 4, File and Folder Management).

Additional video tutorial explanations, models, case studies, title blocks, scrapbooks, and project models are available at brightmandesigns.com/TSWFA. This site complements this book and expands on advanced topics. Any updates to the workflow, news, and extra content will always be easily accessible from this page.

Mental Preparation

SketchUp is fast, fun, and intuitive—but only after a lot of practice! SketchUp is not easy. SketchUp marketing has focused on the simple use of the program, despite its professional capabilities. It is extremely approachable in that you can open the program, click on the Line tool, and start drawing. Shortly after you create your first surface, the Push/Pull tool will enable you to quickly generate massive amounts of 3D geometry. However, once you start modeling with these simple tools, you'll quickly have more questions than answers. This lack of knowledge coupled with the desire to perform advanced operations can cause frustration.

Mentally prepare yourself to learn this software and the workflow presented in this book. Push aside any preconceived notions of “3D for everyone.” Ignore your colleague's comments about SketchUp being easy to learn, simple to use, and not nearly as powerful as other 3D programs. SketchUp is similar to other CAD, BIM, and modeling programs in that you need to spend a significant amount of time learning to use it in order to fully leverage it. Accept the fact that any program is easy to open and play with, but to fully understand any 3D application, including SketchUp, you'll need to fully invest your time, patience, and effort.

Portfolio

The examples in Figures 1.6 through 1.12 are just some of the types of models and documents you can create using the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture. See the latest and greatest of Brightman Design's portfolio at brightmandesigns.com/portfolio. We rarely show our SketchUp models as final output. With the progression of Lumion, why would you? The following is our portfolio of SketchUp models rendered in Lumion and ConDoc construction documents drafted in LayOut.

Figure 1.6One of the projects used later in this book to describe a new construction project is a hip new coffee shop in the River North district in Denver. Design, Lumion renderings, and SketchUp model by Brightman Designs.

Figure 1.7The 3655 Milwaukee Renovation is used later in this book to describe a renovation project. Design, SketchUp model, and Lumion renderings by Brightman Designs.

Figure 1.8SketchUp models rendered in Lumion make a much more refined and polished presentation. Here, Bay Club Sofi. Design by others; model and renderings by Brightman Designs.

Figure 1.9SketchUp Pro and LayOut have the full capability to produce large sets of construction documents. Here, Washington Park Home remodel in Denver. Design, SketchUp model, and drawings by Brightman Designs.

Figure 1.10Create a winter scene by lightening and desaturating texture images. Here, Timber Creek at Okemo house. Design by Bensonwood Homes; model by Brightman Designs.

Figure 1.11Use LayOut to turn 3D SketchUp models into 2D descriptive annotated plans. Unit plan design by Stephen Levin, Helix Architecture; SketchUp model and drawings by Brightman Designs.

Figure 1.12By combining geo-modeling techniques and accurate modeling strategies, you can quickly and accurately communicate realistic design possibilities. Proposed Lowry House addition. Design and model by Brightman Designs.

Chapter Points

☑ Download all book resource files at

brightmandesigns.com/TSWFA

.

☑ SketchUp for Professionals is a comprehensive course, a highly recommended prerequisite for this book. It and additional online content can be found at

brightmandesigns.com/learn

.

☑ Mentally prepare yourself for a rewarding challenge while completing the exercises in this book.

☑ The workflow presented in this book centers around SketchUp Pro and LayOut but it also recognizes that many other software packages complement the design process.

☑ The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture is not a rigid system. It can be changed or abandoned at any stage of the design process. This workflow can be used in part or in its entirety.

☑ Many of the tedious tasks in this book can be automated and expedited by the ConDoc Tools extension for SketchUp.

Chapter 2Building Information Modeling

Building information modeling (BIM) is a continued buzz in architectural design and drafting. Is BIM a revolution or just the way the industry works these days? In this chapter, you will be encouraged to contemplate and challenge the popular assumptions and standard definition of BIM. By doing so, you should realize that integrating the benefits of BIM into your workflow is easier and cheaper than you ever thought.

What is BIM?

“BIM is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility … a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle,” which is defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition (National BIM Standard-United States). A BIM is an intelligent model that integrates design, visualization, simulation, and collaboration into one process. The model is a physical representation that can also be informative. The model not only shows a client what a building will look like but it also gives the client and designer a better understanding of how the building will function. A BIM is essentially a shared, digital building prototype that helps everyone on the design team make better decisions.

Stages and Uses

A BIM is intended to be used during every phase of the design process and by every member on the team.

Architects typically create the main model and then share it with consultants who use the BIM to ensure that their trades don't interfere with the building's function or other trades. For instance, a duct physically can't run through a beam. It is better to catch issues like this on the computer rather than in the field. This BIM feature is commonly referred to as clash detection.

Building owners and facility managers can also use the BIM after the building is complete. For example, a BIM could help them track down the source of a stained ceiling by locating plumbing lines or by indicating possible weaknesses in the roof membrane.

TIPIn reality, most building owners and facility managers won't use the BIM to solve problems—but they could. If they were to use a program, however, they'd find that the SketchUp viewer is free and approachable.

Features

BIM is a concept, not a software program. However, there are software programs that use that concept to execute the design process. There is no official BIM features list, but here are a few popular features that most people expect to find in a BIM program:

☑ Three-dimensional (3D) modeling

☑ Model life cycle use with the building, from predesign to demolition

☑ Interoperability with consultants and their computer-aided design (CAD) platforms

☑ Dynamic links between the 3D model and the construction documents (when a change is made in a plan, that change is reflected in all other drawings, sections, elevations, and reflected ceiling plans)

☑ Photorealistic rendering and raytracing

☑ Parametric modeling, both input and output

☑ Clash detection

☑ Energy analysis

☑ Cost analysis

☑ Four-dimensional (4D) construction phasing and schedule management

SketchUp and LayOut as BIM

It may come as a surprise that SketchUp and LayOut contain many of the most popular BIM software features. With the workflow presented in this book, SketchUp and LayOut pull the best features from each of the most popular drafting platforms (two-dimensional [2D] CAD and 3D BIM). Using this workflow, you can incorporate BIM's fundamental features into your projects. This section outlines what makes SketchUp and LayOut such powerful design and documentation tools and explains why they are a unique design and documentation method.

Advantages

Some of the advantages of using SketchUp and LayOut as a design and documentation method are:

☑ SketchUp is a

surface modeler,

which means that all objects created in SketchUp are composed of lines and surfaces. The process of drawing lines in SketchUp is very similar to the familiar process used to draw lines in 2D CAD. SketchUp could be described as a 2D CAD program that operates in a 3D environment.

☑ When you build a 3D model in SketchUp using the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture, you are simultaneously creating the construction documents. All 2D plans, sections, and elevations are dynamically linked to the 3D model. SketchUp allows you to think and design in 3D, which is the way your brain is wired to work. This is in sharp contrast to using other popular BIM software where you draft the construction documents, which in turn creates the 3D model. In SketchUp, you think and design in 3D; the presentation and construction documents are products of the design process. (See

Figure 2.1

and

Figure 2.2

.)

Figure 2.1Office remodel. Enlarged ceiling plans describe the two soffit levels of the lounge area. These 2D drawings were pulled dynamically from the 3D model. All of the drafting and modeling were completed using SketchUp Pro, LayOut, ConDoc Tools extension, and the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture.

Figure 2.2Office remodel. All 2D drawings describing this unique ceiling condition are dynamically linked to this 3D model.

☑ The lack of some features in SketchUp is a blessing in disguise. Because the rules for modeling and organizing are simple, there are fewer questions for the program to ask and, therefore, fewer questions for you to answer. The simplicity of SketchUp and LayOut lets you create and organize the model quickly, without interruptions. For example, to add a wall in some BIM software packages, you would have to assign several properties, such as height, thickness, material, color, and insulation. To add a wall in SketchUp, you simply draw a rectangle and pull it up—no questions asked. (In

Figure 2.3

through

Figure 2.5

, the drafting and modeling were completed using SketchUp Pro, LayOut, ConDoc Tools extension, and the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture.)

Figure 2.3Office remodel. Sheet A1.02 contains a partial floor plan, a door schedule, door types, a window schedule, window types, wall types, and a key plan.

Figure 2.4Office remodel. Sheet A2.09 contains a partial reflected ceiling plan, enlarged reflected ceiling plans, details, and a key plan. A reflected ceiling plan is created by cutting the model similar to a plan but looking up at the ceiling.

Figure 2.5Office remodel. These enlarged plans show detailed locations of fixtures and other information that will not fit on a building plan.

☑ SketchUp offers real-time rendering, which provides infinitely better information so you can make better design decisions than you can with other software. In SketchUp, a house looks like a house, siding looks like siding, and concrete looks like concrete. In 2D CAD, a house looks like a flat collection of cyan and magenta lines. The graphical representations of most textures leave disconnects between the drawings and real-world applications of the materials. The better the 3D information is that you have during the design process, the better your design decisions will be.

Figure 2.6

shows the same project in 2D CAD and in SketchUp.

Figure 2.6A residential project in SketchUp (top). The same residential project in 2D CAD (bottom).

Disadvantages

Some of the disadvantages of using SketchUp and LayOut as a design and documentation method include:

☑ SketchUp lacks parametric modeling features. Dynamic components can be used to compensate for some of this, but they are fairly difficult to master. Ultimately, parametric modeling attributes can be exported and viewed in spreadsheets as reports; however, changing the spreadsheet will not be reflected in the model.

☑ Scheduling is done the old-fashioned way. The door and window tags are not connected to the door and window schedules. The tags and schedules must be coordinated manually.

☑ Sheets are coordinated the old-fashioned way as well. There is no information exchange between sheets, drawings, tags, and callouts. The drawings must be coordinated manually, with a little help from the auto-text feature in LayOut.

☑ Entities do not attach to one another. For instance, windows and doors do not attach to walls. So if you move the wall, you also need to move the doors and windows separately.

Filling in the BIM Blanks

You can use extensions to extend SketchUp's BIM features. Third parties are creating extensions that expand the SketchUp universe and provide features that fill the BIM voids. Although many of the extensions listed in this section are not officially endorsed by or included in the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture, they provide a great place to begin your search to expand BIM capabilities.

Cost Analysis

☑ Estimator for SketchUp:

estimatorforsketchup.com

Energy Analysis

☑ Sefaira:

sefaira.com

Parametric Modeling

☑ Viz Pro:

fluidinteractive.com/products/sketchup-extensions/viz/

☑ Instant Architecture:

valiarchitects.com/sketchup_scripts

☑ Dynamic Components:

sketchup.com/intl/en/product/dcs.html

4D Timeline

☑ 4D Virtual Builder for SketchUp:

4dvirtualbuilder.com

Rendering

☑ Lumion:

lumion3d.com

☑ SketchFX:

fluidinteractive.com/products/sketchup-extensions/sketchfx/

☑ Twilight Render:

twilightrender.com

☑ Shaderlight:

artvps.com

☑ SU Podium:

suplugins.com

Drafting

☑ ConDoc Tools:

condoctools.com

In Figure 2.7 and Figure 2.8, the drafting and modeling were completed using SketchUp Pro, LayOut, the ConDoc Tools, and the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture.

Figure 2.7Sheet A3.16 contains interior elevations and a perspective view, all pulled from the same 3D model.

Figure 2.8Utility styles display additional layers of information contained in a 3D model. This image represents a scope diagram, where all existing objects are shown in gray and all new objects are shown in green.

BIM Burnout

How sick are you of hearing about BIM? There is nothing wrong with using a BIM program, but do you wonder whether you really need all that functionality? Is it worth paying for? Do you need lines on paper now, or do you need a complex model for pricing and coordination? My guess is most architects just need lines on paper today with a few added BIMefits.

SketchUp, LayOut, ConDoc, and the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture provide an affordable, efficient, predictable system that falls somewhere well beyond 2D CAD, past basic 3D modeling, and short of complex, features-bloated BIM. It's just what you need to get lines on paper today so you can build tomorrow. Let's stop debating what BIM is and get to work.

The SketchUp Outlook

SketchUp's focus has emerged as a platform for 3D modeling and design. More focus on the online products (Figure 2.9) rather than the core SketchUp offering. In recent years, they have released my.SketchUp online, updated the 3D warehouse, and released the extension warehouse, HoloLens app, tablet apps, etc. It appears to me that the goal is to keep the main SketchUp platform stable but not develop new tools within the program. Leave that up to the third-party extension developers.

Figure 2.9SketchUp's current focus is on the supporting cast.

SketchUp's tagline is “3D for everyone,” but in this approach, there is true value for no one. Maybe hobbyists who have time to invent obscure standards for their own needs or, more likely, don't even realize they need them. As a professional, it is of the utmost importance that you have a clear path to success, an organized system for using this software. It is unlikely that SketchUp will release “SketchUp Architectural Desktop” with all of the tools included for architects. For this reason, we need to compile our own. It is up to professionals like me to push content and up to users to seek out the way.

The good news is we already have a base of great SketchUp tools in the native program plus a healthy community of third-party extensions and stand-alone programs that complement the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture. Read this book, get the ConDoc Tools, and start building your own SketchUp Architectural Desktop based on your specific project type and documentation needs.

Chapter Points

☑ BIM is a loose concept open to interpretation.

☑ BIM is not a software program; it is a concept used by design and documentation software programs.

☑ There is no absolute set of features that defines BIM software.

☑ SketchUp is not marketed as BIM software, but it does offer several popular BIM features.

☑ Plugins can be used to fill in the BIM blanks.

☑ Most facilities managers won't touch BIM. However, if they do, they would be likely to use SketchUp.

☑ BIM is a catchphrase that has worn off. Let's just use the best tool for the job rather than force a solution.

Chapter 3Hardware

There are certain topics you should not discuss openly, those taboos that are just not polite conversation: politics, religion, money, operating system. Gasp! But let's discuss computers.

Technology changes constantly and rapidly, so much so that it is hard to make a recommendation today that will be valid tomorrow. The goal of this chapter is to provide benchmarks and tools for understanding and comparing so you can make informed decisions about complex and often misunderstood buying choices. All suggestions in this chapter are assuming you are fully vested in the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture using SketchUp Pro, LayOut, ConDoc, and Lumion. Time to nerd out.

Mac versus PC

Have you ever heard a colleague say, “Macs are good for design”? I have, and I cringe every time. Macs are popular in less taxing creative fields—two-dimensional (2D) graphic design, film editing, or music production—but when it comes to heavy three-dimensional (3D) modeling and rendering for architects, Macs are simply underpowered.

Figure 3.1The Apple and Windows logos.

You see, no brand is “good for design”; only the guts of a machine, the specs, can make it that way. An underpowered PC is not good for 3D modeling and design either.

For the most part, an operating system is a vehicle to see applications. SketchUp on a Mac is very similar to SketchUp on a PC. Terminology between the platforms may be different, but they ultimately accomplish the same goal—organizing files in folders and providing access to applications to get work done.

It is prudent to not let the tail wag the dog. In regard to your hardware solution, don't let an allegiance to an operating system determine your hardware specs; let the hardware specs determine your operating system. In the following sections, we will lay out the numbers so you can make the right choice for a machine for 3D modeling and design.

Specs

Setting brand loyalties and opinions developed from years of marketing aside, let's take an objective look at choosing the right computer, with the right specs, specifically for 3D modeling and design. It's easy to get lost in the details when selecting a machine, so in this section, we will focus only on what really matters.

TIPReview a detailed parts list of my current machines atbrightmandesigns.com/blog/myrig.

Minimum and recommended specs are on SketchUp's website at help.sketchup.com/en/article/36208. You can completely disregard minimum specs; we are professionals and will need far more than what it takes to open the program. I pulled specs from the website then combined the SketchUp-recommended specs for Mac and PC together into the most stringent case (Figure 3.2). This way, we have one control set to compare different recommended machines and setups to.

Figure 3.2Combined recommended specs for Windows and Mac, representing the more stringent case.

TIPSketchUp Checkup (Figure 3.3) diagnoses your computer for compatibility issues with SketchUp 2017 and identifies problems your computer might encounter when running SketchUp. Checkup also creates a report so you can easily communicate issues to technical support. Download it athelp.sketchup.com/en/article/3000318.

Figure 3.3The SketchUp Checkup application will call out deficiencies in your hardware.

Computer Components

A graphics card, processor, memory, and peripherals are the critical ingredients of an effective computer for use with the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture. Many pieces play a part, but these are the most important. Network cards, USB connection speeds, and Bluetooth specs improve the overall experience—and ideally are top-of-the-line and fast—but they are not critical for making SketchUp, LayOut, and Lumion ripping fast. Juice up your graphics card, processor, RAM, and peripherals for a machine that will be the envy of your colleagues.

Each of the mentioned components plugs into the motherboard (Figure 3.4). Peripherals are externally connected through the USB plugs in the back of the computer, which are part of the motherboard. The graphics card, processor, and memory are all internally connected to the motherboard.

Figure 3.4The main components of a computer are the graphics card, RAM, hard drive, and processor. All components are connected to the motherboard.

Graphics Card

The graphics card is by far the most important component for working in 3D. The graphics card handles the heavy lifting, instant rendering, and processing that put crisp, beautiful, high-resolution images on your monitor (Figure 3.5).

Figure 3.5The graphics card has HDMI and display outputs that connect to a monitor.

The graphics card is accessible from the back of the machine through HDMI and display plugs to connect your monitor(s) to the computer.

Nvidia GTX cards are the most cost-effective and productive when leveraging the software I recommend for the SketchUp Workflow for Architecture. Make sure that your graphics card is 100 percent Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) compatible so it can take advantage of SketchUp's hardware acceleration. Check out this article for more information on SketchUp and Open GL compatibility, https://help.sketchup.com/en/article/114278.

TIPMost Quadro cards are officially certified to support Autodesk programs, but they cost more and often don't provide the same benchmarks/performance. Many fall into this trap. If you are a big firm, IT will likely force you into a Quadro card. If you are a smaller team, go with “uncertified” GTX—less money, more performance, never had a problem.

Processor

A fast central processing unit (CPU) is important, but it's possible to go too far (Figure 3.6). These days, all processors are pretty good, and most of the rendering happens on the graphics processing unit (GPU). Furthermore, most of the programs we run don't max out the processor, and most processors offer plenty of power.

Figure 3.6You will find the processor buried in the motherboard, usually under a fan and cooling system.