SketchUp is a Serious Tool With a Silly Name

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:48:02 -0500

Posting a few images generated in Sketchup. There was some discussion on one of the VW mailing lists regarding SketchUp and some felt it isn't capable of anything but very simple tasks.

I disagree. It is a quick modeling and rendering tool. Sure, VectorWorks may have more power but sometimes that power comes at a price. That price is usually speed.

The model in these images is completely drawn to scale. I find it takes me at least half the time to create a SketchUp model as the same task would take in VectorWorks.

3D For Free

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:46:40 -0400

Most CAD programs these days will tell you you can draw in 2D and get 3D results for free. All the programs are pushing the concept of BIM and Vectorworks is no exception. Most of these programs make it too difficult to get the results you want or prevent you from experimenting with anything the programmers didn't think of.

Vectorworks has always walked the fine line between customization and parametrics. They have tried to let you use the power of parametrics yet still retain the ability create any custom items you can imagine. For the last few updates to the software the parametric objects (doors, windows, stairs, etc.) have gotten more and more powerful. Still there have always been just enough 'gotchas' to prevent you from getting the result you want.

It appears that with VW 12.5 we are finally getting very close to the reality of 'draw in 2D get 3D for free.' With each release I try to reevaluate the tools and see if I can truly model my buildings to generate elevations, sections and renderings based on the original plan. I am happy to say that this is the most capable version of VW and it's included tools yet. The door and window tools are finally full featured enough that I can get satisfactory results for all but the most complex multi-unit windows. The roof tool has recently added fascia and soffit elements that work well enough to get the desired results.

Sure there are still issues. I ran into a few on a recent project. The fascia on a the roof won't always run the full length of the roof edge and at one point the soffit dropped below the roof structure leaving a gap. For some reason a roof that seems pretty straightforward to my eyes is deemed too complex by the roof tool.

The door and window tools while now boasting more features are still making it too difficult to get at those features. There are too many dialogs and not enough immediate feedback and previews to see the results. There are still doors and windows that can't be created with the tools as well.

One of the big reasons I am having better results is my new computer. I recently purchased a new Mac Pro and the ability to work in 3D is now a reality. Rendering is very quick if not instant so your results are quickly viewable and allow you to try new things and experiment. If you are still struggling with an older machine and wondering why VW doesn't feel up to the tasks consider a new machine. I loved my old powerbook but the difference between working with VW on it versus my new machine are night and day.

My new machine has led me to reexamine using rendered models for my elevations. I am happy to say I have had some success. By stacking two viewports on top each other I can get a colored rendering with line work overlays. This seems the best of both worlds. By using the sketch rendering on a hidden line viewport I can get a sketchy looking colored, shaded elevation straight from my plan/model.

Above you can see an image of my results. This is a pair of viewports of my model laid one atop the other. The lower viewport is a final renderworks image and the upper viewport is a hidden line with minimal sketching applied.

Greatest Hits

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 14:48:10 -0400

With the new site design I have chosen not to convert all the old pages over to the new format. The old content is still available via the menu on the left under the heading of Old Links. Still I think there are some very handy tools to be found among the old pages. What I thought we could do is have a vote on which tools you found most useful and I could pull 10 or so up to the new site for prominent placement.

Please respond to this post with your list of most useful tools from the old pages. Feel free to list a handful of tools. The tools with the most votes will be placed in a new 'Greatest Hits' section of the site.

Weblog | Vector Depot | Patrick McConnell

SketchUp is a Serious Tool With a Silly Name

3D For Free

Greatest Hits