I’ve been using sketchup since some here (thankyou who ever you are!) freeversion availiable.
My question is about the upgrade. What things does it enable you to do extra over the free version?
I’ve seen on Gene’s moels that he has put in all the building elements, you know studs plates rafters etc…….. and I’m having a bit of a hard time doing that at the moment.
I’m fine with fairly simple drawings; I seem to have the trouble when i want to get into the finer details.
So is this sort of thing the thing I need the upgrade to do??
I’ve attached a couple of my drawings.
Replies
I finally downloaded sketchup about two weeks ago and spent WAY too much time modelling my entire house + yard just to figure out what we want to do for our new front steps. It's a really fun program.
My brother (an architect) uses Sketchup a lot in his job. The main missing feature, it seemed, was a lack of the 'sandbox' tool which allows you to create free-form shapes...ideal for irregular landscapes. I have a hill in our front yard that slopes in two directions and building that with the free version was a bit of a chore.
The pro version also adds all of the extra presentation/compatibility tools. You can create animated fly-throughs, export in various formats, and exchange data with other CAD/Archi apps.
You're doing fine. I use the free version, and haven't thought of a good reason to spend the $495 to go Pro.
Group every part you make as soon as you make it. I make a stud, then group it, then MOVE_COPY it wherever I need it. Same with walls, roof planes, cabinets, countertops, etc. Grouping is the solution to almost everything. You can right click to edit a group anytime you want.
If you are like most people (homeowner, most contractors) you will be fine with the free version. I use the pro version because I need to. Many projects require the figuring out how to build on sloped lots...is there such a thing as flat ground?
sandbox forming and flythroughs are sales tools...they sell projects to customers that have limited imaginations. They are also much more complex to set up and use.
keep having fun with the free version. If you decide you need more then look around at other software that specializes in what you need.
gk