Structural Drafting with Sketchup

[phamENG]

In looking into drafting programs, Sketchup Pro with LayOut caught my eye. For $300/yr you can get a (seemingly) high end 3d modeling software program with 2d drafting/contract document production capabilities. When you compare that to the $400/year AutoCAD LT (2d only) up to several thousand per year for Revit, full AutoCAD, etc., it feels like a no brainer.

But, there's no mention of structural detailing ability, etc. and Trimble markets it to architects while pushing Tekla Structure for us. On the other hand, I have seen a lot of structural frame models done with Sketchup that are pretty sharp.

Anyone try it in an actual workflow for structural design and detailing? Good results? Bad? Indifferent?

 

[atrizzy]

I really like Draftsignt, personally. It's currently free (but not for long) and performs probably 95% of what ACAD LT. The yearly fees for the new version will be in the $400 range as far as I know and they claim this will include 3D capability.

EDIT: Inspired by dik's comment below, I am also not at all affiliated with the Draftsight people.

 

[Ron247]

I think Sketchup works great for presentations but I am not sure about using it as a drafting software for structural drawings. The 3D aspects coupled with rendering does make it very useful for presentations.

I am sure you can draw detailed drawings with it, but it does not have as many drafting features as AutoCad for example.

 

[dik]

You may want to look into 'Bricscad' and AutoCAD workalike that's half the price of AutoCAD LT... I've been using it for about 10 years and it's well worth the cost. I have no connection to the company.

It has nearly all the features including programming and 3D that the full blown AutoCAD package has.

Dik

 

[Lomarandil]

If you're doing light frame wood construction, Sketchup with Medeek's modules added in could be a really slick and streamlined way to do structural drafting and detailing.

http://www.medeek.com/

(again, no connection.. and no personal experience with the modules, just been following development for a while)

----
just call me Lo.

 

[Guest262653]

I second Bricscad recommendation. I've been using the BIM version for the past two years for structures and geotechnics and it really works very well, generating IFC models, plans and sections all from within the dwg environment. Besides the lower entry cost (and permanent licenses) the training cost is almost negligible when compared with Revit.

I also have no connection to Bricsys. Only a chip on my shoulder regarding Autodesk and its bullying methods.

 

[phamENG]

Thanks, everyone. I should have mentioned that Medeek's website was one of my inspirations for looking at Sketchup. I'll look into Draftsight and Bricscad and see how they perform.

 

[XR250]

For me, I have absolutely no need for 3D capabilities. I suspect that Sketchup will be a compromise on the 2D aspect of your drafting.

 

[JoelTXCive]

I love sketchup for 3d renderings and conceptual models.

I do not like it for actual plan generation though. Circles are not true circles in sketchup. In sketchup, A circular object is really just a group of linear line segments arrayed into a circle. This always causes me headaches with detail work and dimensioning.

For example, in autocad, you can snap to the quadrant of the circle. In sketchup, you can only snap to the nearest line segment, which may or may not be the true quadrant of the circle.

 

[phamENG]

Good insight, Joel. Thanks.

 

[oldrunner]

I am still learning SketchUp. Actually the SketchUp program is two programs: SketchUp for drawing your model i[ul]
[li][/li]
[/ul]n 2d or 3d and a 2nd program called Layout which you use to add dimensions, notes, and so on to actually publish your drawings. There is also an add-in called Condoc by Brightman Designs that provides you with a system of workflow that speeds up you detailing and production.

https://sketchupforprofessionals.com/

They also have good tutorials.

 

[oldrunner]

I have SketchUp Pro which in includes Layout. SU Pro is where one creates the model of any structure in 3d (very fast!) and then Layout is where text and dimensions as well as sections and details are organized and published. There is also add on program named ConDoc available which provides an almost complete set up for the workflow of the project.

https://sketchupforprofessionals.com

I also have this program.

 

[bhiggins]

I have a degree in both architecture and engineering so I have a lot of experience with sketchup. If I'm detailing something tricky like a weird steel frame or custom stair I like to work it out in sketchup because it does look quite nice and does help with clarity. I usually export a view directly to 2-D DWG format and then add notes in AutoCAD. If you are proficient you can build a model pretty fast (20-30 minutes) which I think is worth it. It can also be helpful to work out details in 3D to make sure everything works geometrically.

 

[molibden]

@avscorreia
Do you use Bricscad BIM for steel or timber structures? I use Bricscad Pro 2d and sometimes 3d and it works fine, I like it even more than Autocad. But would like to try with BIM - still not sold as architects build their own model, I don't see benefit of doing my own plus I do custom residential work.

 

[Guest262653]

@molibden
I use it for steel and concrete structures (never did any real timber project) but for general arrangement and geometry drawings only. All details and tags are created with 2D drafting. It helps me to create the geometry drawings pretty fast even when I create my own model from scratch, which is a breeze using common 3d dwg modeling commands and push/pull operations. The first projects I've been applying BIM were small office and residential buildings and I was able to create sets of preliminary design drawings in just a couple of days.

I also like it more than AutoCad as it's much lighter to use and the new versions are constantly updating and correcting the software.

I'm starting to roll some parametric blocks for micropiles and soil anchors as well and try to create 3D construction sequence drawings for geotechnical works. For now that hasn't been possible but let's see how the new version behaves.

 

[molibden]

I use it for steel and concrete structures (never did any real timber project) but for general arrangement and geometry drawings only. All details and tags are created with 2D drafting. It helps me to create the geometry drawings pretty fast even when I create my own model from scratch, which is a breeze using common 3d dwg modeling commands and push/pull operations. The first projects I've been applying BIM were small office and residential buildings and I was able to create sets of preliminary design drawings in just a couple of days.

I also like it more than AutoCad as it's much lighter to use and the new versions are constantly updating and correcting the software.

I'm starting to roll some parametric blocks for micropiles and soil anchors as well and try to create 3D construction sequence drawings for geotechnical works. For now that hasn't been possible but let's see how the new version behaves.

Great to hear that. So you create 3D model, do sections for floor plans and vertical sections, then manually put tags/dimensions/descriptions in 2D? Is there no automatic way for this in BIM version based on object data? Do you use any 3rd party application with Bricscad?

 

[Guest262653]

There is an automatic way to assign tags but involves a workflow a bit different from what I'm used to as it places the tags in paper space. I like to use the plans and sections generated automatically as xrefs in a single drawing where I put all my layouts and additional detailing. I'll probably go for sheetsets in the future but I need to take one step at a time.

I was using a 3rd party app to create TIN surfaces and automatic terrain sections but v19 (and v20) already has these features embedded so I stopped using it.

 

[phamENG]

Thanks again, everyone. Good to know there are so many powerful tools available for so much more reasonable prices.

 

[kmart30]

autocad still the go to but we use chief architect too. Chief can spit out whole 3d wood framing systems with trusses in a flash...really helps envision the design and any possible construction issues.

 

[Agent666]

Theres some informative videos on YouTube of people using sketchup as their sole means of delivering/producing documentation. I watched a few of them years ago and was surprised at how easy it looked one you were proficient at it.

For example check this