The only comprehensive SketchUp guide written for builders and contractors
SketchUp is a 3D modeling application used in areas ranging from civil and mechanical engineering to motion picture and video game design. Three-dimensional modeling is of obvious value to the building industry—yet resources for transforming architectural designs into reality is surprisingly limited. SketchUp for Builders is the first comprehensive guide designed specifically for builders and contractors, providing step-by-step instructions on incorporating 3D modeling into all phases of the construction process. Author John Brock draws from his 30 years of experience as a custom home designer and builder to provide practical advice on how to understand what you are building before it is built. This valuable guide demonstrates how to eliminate cost overruns, construction delays, and design flaws by integrating SketchUp modeling into your workflow.
Emphasizing real-world practicality, this book covers all of the essential components of modeling a 3D construction project, from SketchUp fundamentals and object basics to importing construction drawings and increasing project efficiency with extensions and plugins. All phases of construction are clearly explained, including foundations, walls and floor systems, roof and mechanical systems, and exterior and interior finishes.
- Supplies a constructability process for efficient and cost-effective build projects
- Offers step-by-step guidance for creating construction documents, renderings, animations, virtual reality tours, and more
- Integrates SketchUp into all stages of the construction process
- Provides access to resources such as web tutorials, blogs, and the online SketchUp community
- Demonstrates how to generate construction documents with accompanying Layout software
SketchUp for Builders: A Comprehensive Guide for Creating 3D Building Models Using SketchUp in an indispensable source of information for contractors and builders, architects, interior designers, landscape architects, construction professionals, and anyone seeking to create 3D models of the design and construction process.
Table of Contents:
Foreword Duane Addy vii
Part I: SketchUp Essentials 1
Chapter 1: Introduction 3
Who Should Read This Book? 4
Why Should You Read This Book? 4
What is in This Book? 4
Chapter 2: SketchUp Resources 7
SketchUp Free or SketchUp Pro? 7
Layout 8
3D Warehouse 8
Extension Warehouse 8
Other Resources 9
Chapter 3: SketchUp Basics 11
The Interface 11
Navigation 13
Parallel Projection versus Perspective 14
Scenes 15
Layers 15
Measurements Box 16
Basic Tools 16
Chapter 4: Model Your First Object 21
Chapter 5: Groups and Components 26
Groups versus Components 26
Chapter 6: Extensions (Plugins) 29
Relevant Developers 30
Chapter 7: Importing Construction Drawings 31
Workflow 33
Chapter 8: File Management 36
Layer Management 37
Templates 38
Part II: Phases of Construction 39
Chapter 9: Existing Site Models 41
Creating the Existing Site Model 44
Geolocation 49
Chapter 10: Foundations 53
Monolithic Slab-on-Grade 53
Crawl Space 61
Basement 78
Controlling Costs 100
Chapter 11: Wall Framing 101
Chapter 12: Floor Systems 112
Wood-Framed Floor Systems 112
Case Study 135
Chapter 13: Roof Systems 137
Roof Plan(e)s 137
Conventional Roof Framing 148
Roof Trusses 159
Sub-Fascia 160
Roof Sheathing 162
Case Study 165
Chapter 14: Exterior Finishes 169
Windows and Exterior Doors 169
Chapter 15: Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Rough-Ins 207
Plumbing Rough-In 207
HVAC Rough-In 208
Electrical Rough-In 209
Chapter 16: Interior Finishes 212
Insulation 212
Drywall 214
Floor Coverings 219
Kitchens 238
Bathrooms 244
Chapter 17: Final Grading and Landscaping 252
Hardscapes 253
Proposed Site Model 258
Excavation 262
Part III: Quantity Takeoffs and Estimating 273
Chapter 18: Attributes 275
Length 276
Area 279
Volume 282
Weight 285
Chapter 19: Estimator for SketchUp 286
Multitiered Cost Code System 290
Takeoff Methods 290
Foundations 291
Wall Framing 294
Floor Systems 295
Roof Systems 295
Exterior Finishes 296
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) 297
Interior Finishes 297
Landscaping and Site Work 299
Part IV: Construction Documents 301
Chapter 20: Introduction to Layout 303
What Does Layout Do? 303
What Would I Use Layout For? 304
Model Space and Paper Space 304
Part V: Renderings, Animations, and Virtual Tours 311
Chapter 21: Renderings 313
Thea Render 316
V-Ray for SketchUp 317
Lumion 317
Chapter 22: Animations 323
Chapter 23: Virtual Tours 325
Chapter 24: Virtual Reality versus Augmented Reality 328
What is the Difference Between VR and AR? 328
Enscape 329
Index 333
