Anyone using sketchup?

[brokenknee]

I have messed with SketchUp free version somewhat and for me the most convenient thing is it's easy to import Google Earth images and draw on top of them

I was not aware that was an option, sounds interesting I will have to google it and find out how to do that.

 

[paulsharvey]

For strictly architectural stuff, there is or was a free program called "Cheif Architect" that was very good for residential construction. Much of what you have to create in Autocad, Sketchup, or Microstation is already in Chief Architect. It is quite limited for other uses though

 

[GLyford]

I was lucky my code office did not require a grid, as long as everything was to scale and I included a scale block.

I think I was so conservative in my porch design that they barely looked at it once it was up, just enough to see that I followed what I drew.

 

[brokenknee]

I was lucky my code office did not require a grid, as long as everything was to scale and I included a scale block.

I think I was so conservative in my porch design that they barely looked at it once it was up, just enough to see that I followed what I drew.

Adding the grid was not a problem once I downloaded the extension. The permitting process can be a real pain. I have not had to deal with them directly as it is not my project, just helping my nephew out. He is going to build the deck for his mother. From what he said they insisted that the plans be drawn on grid paper to scale.

 

[GLyford]

Mine asked for them to be "drawn to scale" and the scale marked. I suspect the "drawn to grid" is to keep people from simply sketching something out on a napkin and calling it a plan. When you start thinking about pencil and paper and homeowner-submitted plans, it makes perfect sense.