[TheForge] Sketchup Help

[wmullett at bright.net]

As an architect, I have moved away from AutoCAD.  I have used AutoCAD since 3.1 in the mid 80's and thought there was nothing better but now AutoCAD has another product they bought a few years ago and for building type items, there is nothing better.  

A few years ago, AutoDESK saw what was happening and they bought a rival technology called REVIT.  REVIT is a BIM (Building Information Modeling) product.  Unlike AutoCAD or other vector based drafting programs, BIM products are component based.  

I no longer draw lines (almost).  I now build 3 dimensional models of my buildings using components like walls, doors, windows and floors.  As I add these 3D components, I can look at them in plan, section or elevation at anytime and at any elevation horizontally.  I can also look at the 3d model - spin it in any direction and turn things on or off in any view.

This program is easy to use and ... for me, it has made my life easier and I even have fun!    It also works for simple ironwork too.

Because the cost is just like AutoCAD's you could never justify buying it as a blacksmith but if you want to have fun and see what it will do, you can download a 30 day version of it for free here:
 http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=8496703


One of the neat things this program and AutoCAD does is that they will produce a PDF like fvisual file.  Except unlike a pdf, this file, a dwf, can be an interactive 3d that you can spin, turn things on / off.  The program to view these files is available free at:

http://dwfcommunity.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-dwf-viewer.html


============================================================