Sketchup-Ur-Space

Construction Documents using SketchUp Pro & LayOut

Paul Lee

This new book has been 11+ years in the making since Paul first designed and delivered a course called “RealWorldCAD” which was designed to show how to use CAD professionally, using standards for layers, linetypes, lineweights, and nomenclature. Through this experience I began to form ideas about how to best design course materials and delivery methods.

When I got a tip-off about SketchUp through an architect friend in 2005, and started to find out to my utter amazement how good this free software is, I inevitably became obsessed with this new toy/ business tool. Having seen how fast SketchUp was as a 3D modelling tool, I began to ask “How can I use the model to extract 2D information?” All the tools were there (as I eventually discovered) in SketchUp but seemingly no-one had written down a methodology for pulling it all together using Layers, Scenes, Styles and effective Group organisation. In addition, the hidden layer plugin and the use of the Outliner window dramatically increased the effectiveness of my approach to “SketchUp 2D”.

Construction Documents using SketchUp Pro and LayOut

The new book entitled “Construction Documents using SketchUp Pro & LayOut” is a synthesis of years of shaping and re-shaping through practise of the technique for forming high quality construction documents. The book goes into thorough detail with a step-by-step approach to achieving the final result. I am delighted with the number of sales so far which have been beyond expectations.

Construction Documents using SketchUp Pro and LayOut

Image generated from a model that forms part of the “Construction Documents using SketchUp Pro & LayOut” downloads.

The book, (which contains a link to download a set of models and layout files), starts off with showing how a table model can be cut and displayed in plan/ section/ elevation and then displayed & scaled in LayOut with dimensions and other graphics required to form proper documentation. The great thing about doing this in SketchUp is that you can display a 3D image beside the 2D information without breaking a sweat. There is no room for confusion in the mind of the client/ contractor/ etc.

I hope that people will find this manual useful for exploiting the power of SketchUp Pro. I feel that such a manual is needed to persuade people to invest in Pro, but I would say that wouldn’t ?

The above tutorial is based on techniques found in Paul Lee’s new book “ConstructionDocumentsusingSketchUpPro & LayOut” available here from SketchUcation