Organizing Drawing Documents Using Layout in Sketchup

The more easy way to Organize your Drawing Documents is in Sketchup. Learning this great feature included in the Sketchup program is the Layout. If you have not tried this one yet, you will see the power of this tool that can make your workflow more efficient and coordinated.

While doing the 3d model, you can bear in mind the construction documentation too. You can link your sketchup file into the layout to produce 2d drawings. You will have the capability of using the BIM (Building Integrated Modeling) system in sketchup.

The 3d modeling approach can be very useful in all of the phases of the project especially in presenting the design and show Value Engineering.

Here's the Video Tutorial:

Learn how to use this and see how you can organize the drawing documentation you will be needing as the phase of your architectural practice progresses. How to use Layout in Sketchup?
First is to locate the program and open it. There will be options to chose before you will go to the layout platform. You will set up the page and it will come in a blank sheet. You can costumize the title block and group it to edit easily. You can duplicate the sheet to maintain the standard title block all throughout the creation of documents. The video above is an introduction to the many layouts you will be creating. BIM in sketchup
It is important to note that you can consider the BIM while creating the model. This will make your documentation more accurate and easy to visualize all aspects of the building system from planning to construction and even post construction evaluation. As we progress with this lesson, layout will be organize according to the discipline required for the drawing documentation. From foundation, to structural system and building utilities system. As an introduction, layout in sketchup can be organize by: 1. Insering the skp file in your layout as a viewport. 2. Copy the Clip the viewports

How to Create Circular Pattern

Here's another Sketchup Video tutorial, creating one segment of a pattern and copy multiple times to form a circular pattern.

If you are creating a 3d model of a dome and would like to transfer the pattern on the dome, it can be done by using the "DRAPE TOOL".

Here's the video tutorial and follow along.

Hospital Design Presentation | Animation Using Sketchup

The Design Presentation is one of the major activity in the practice of Architecture. This is the presentation of the Design Proposals.

Animation Using Sketchup



Sketchup is very handy and useful in this situation. Aside from the different styles of sketch presentation, we can also make use of the animation available inside sketchup.

In the preparation of the Schematic Layout of the Hospital Design, it is important to save SCENES showing different views to further show and explain the design intention of the architect. Organizing the scenes from the very beginning of the 3d modelling, the scene may serve as a story board. This will show the organization of the Design from Plan Layout to the different perspective views.

The Schematic Design 

Schemes are the initial Design done by the Architect. From his research and data gathered, the architect formulate his design. This will include diagrams that will help him analyze all the different aspects that should be considered in the design process.

  A project feasibility study 

Depending on the complexity of the project, the feasibility study should be done and these are the things that should be included in the report

•  The base plan and all the existing condition of the Site
• The Sun Orientation
• The existing Laws governing the building regulations, minimum set backs and  zoning regulations
• The vehicular traffic flow from point of entry to the site

What Should be shown in the Presentation?

Assuming that all of these reports are made, the architect should prepare the following drawing documents;

• The Plan Layout
• The Site Plan
• Perspectives

Sketchup, as mentioned earlier, is very useful in preparing all of the above drawing requirements. While creating the 3d model, the organization of the these documents should be organized inside sketchup in such a way that the manner of presentation will explain the design intention as it progresses to the final outcome of the whole design.

A Hospital Design Concept Proposal using Sketchup

Using Sketchup to visualize the hospital design concept architecture is the fist stage in the design process. The 3d model of the Proposed Hospital is an good example to showcase. At the Initial stage of the project, 

A Schematic Design is submitted to the client. Plans and  Perspective views are the most essential visual presentations submitted to the client.

Sketchup is in action to complete this design proposal. In our own design practice, this is the  most effective tool to create presentations. It is fast and reliable and can be exported to cad for production of drawings

It can also be exported to Lumion to make the final rendering more photo-realistic like this example which is another project highlight. Each of these rendering are widely acceptable and used in a different stage of the design process. This can be used as a marketing promotion tool of the building management operating the Hospital. To attract more people to visit the place whenever it is in full operation.

Here are some outlines to consider using sketchup for architects doing their hospital sketch drawing or any architectural design ideas. Here are some more examples:

These presentation create a good impression on the design and the artistry. More easy to convey the design concepts and ideas to the client. 

Though architects are in born artists, some can still go with the sketches in the conception stage of the design. sketches then transferred to sketchup and make an amazing outcome to the presentation. Architects still have to maintain the impression they created with their past, present and future clients. 

This will leave a strong impact to the client and might as well consider their recommendation to new clients they know. 

How Effective is Sketchup in Visualizing a Design?

There are numerous software to use in 3d visualization, but Sketchup is widely used by architects to create a design proposal. It is super easy to use and it has the "artist touch". Editing is easy and the presentation is very satisfactory both to the architect and the client.

There are a lot of advantage using Sketchup.

1.  It is easy to lean and easy to use
2. The presentation is amazing and very versatile. There are differents styles of presentation to choose from and scenes can be saved while work is in progress.
3. Easy editing and straight forward tools 
4. Well Organized presentation from 2d to 3d models
5. Layout can be used to produce drawing documents
6. Photo realistic renderings are also achieved using 3rd party rendering softwares like Vray, Lumion, Maxwell and many other extensions compatible to sketchup.
7. Animation or the walk throughs can be shown using the scene tab in real time. This can also be saved as a movie file to be sent to the client online to show the progress of the design proposal.

Online course in sketchup is now available at Udemy.

LEARN HOW TO USE SKETCHUP AND COMPLETE THE 3D MODEL OF THIS HOUSE

 

2d Layout are also completed when you complete the 3d model. 

Organizing the 2d drawings are done in Layout. Layout is another feature in Sketchup that is very useful in drawing documentation. As you continue to explore sketchup, you can formulate your own process in organizing the 2d and 3d presentation. 

This Site Development Plan is an example of 2d layout. This is automatically done inside sketchup. Architects can review the site plan and editing are done instantly. 

Shadow casting is also available to determine the actual sun orientation that is one of the major consideration in the design process. Hospital Planning can be very critical that is why areas should be arranged in such a way that it will take advantage of  natural sunlight as well as avoiding sunlight in some areas. 

Hospital Planning requires careful study and analysis in grouping the required areas. Sketchup mimics the real world. Sun path at different time of the day, and the effect of shadings and casting of shadows can easily be determined.

These are just few of the most important features in Sketchup.

Here are some of the styles:

There are more features and usefulness of sketchup that you can really depend on. Its really the architect's friendly tool. Learn Sketchup and take advantage of its usefulness.

Visit our Youtube Channel for video tutorials in Sketchup.

Architectural Design Conceptualization Process

Design concepts are produce with paper and pen. No computer can replace what is inside the mind of an architect. This is the initial stage in the practice of architecture. An opportunity to create forms that will make architecture design unique.

The process may be done in different methods by different architects. But the most common is to start somewhere.A thought process that is very important to the architect and record that idea into the paper as the mind dictates the hand in creating a unique design solution to every design requirements. Without boundaries, the architect can pick anything that will inspire him to do the design.

How do architects formulate their design concepts?

This video will tell us how and why. 

This is the Design process done by Arhitect Barry Berkus in designing a house. He gives a clear example of his actual design strategies.

The first video will tell us how he observe nature and a crumpled paper to get shapes. By Those methods, he was able to create his own unique syle of architecture.

Truly, this is a great way to understand the design process that is embedded in the mind of an architect. How he thinks and how he respond to the design requirements. The outcome is so amazing and helpful for those pursuing architecture and even those who are running out of ideas in creating the architectural design solutions. More often, the solutions are already right in front of us.

The video below is the second example on How he get ideas with the information available to him, he began to create a diagram while telling the story on how spaces will be organized. Treating it as if the house is already existing and telling stories on how the end-user will occupy the space. Telling how he will be making those spaces respond to each and the regular activities of his client. 

What lessons can we learn?

• Whenever you are confronted with a design problem, be analytic and observant. There must be a information available in the environment you are into.
• Design process must always tell a story.
• A story must have an inspiration that will influence the outward appearance of the house and the the space functionality needed by the client.
• Architecture may influence the way people interact with the spaces or it can also influence the way people will live within the pattern of influence created by the architect.
• Design process is a continuous development of the space required in relation to the functionality of the spaces provided for the client.

Looking for more book resources?

Architecture and Modelbuilding: Concepts, Methods, Materials