In my previous blog, I wrote about SketchUp and Landscape Architecture. Today's blog focuses on how SketchUp is an econmical tool for landscape architects.

Design professions have changed a great deal with the advent and use of computers. From hand drafting we now have CAD drafting. Hand rendering has been replaced with Photoshop illustratives. Instead of pen and marker perspectives, we use 3D images and animations.

The reasons design professionals incorporate computers into professional practice are simple: it’s economical, accurate and effective. Its the rare firm that does not require some level of proficiency with various computer programs and hardware.

Being economical is a big deal. We can accurately describe a site plan or building using CAD programs with great speed. It’s easier to edit and update and it’s transferable between various design consultants. And it makes firms profitable.

CAD Base drawing of mountain park

Project scope and budgets are based in large part on the integration of CAD within design process. From the moment we start concept design, we are working in some form of computer-aided-design, be it AutoCAD, Vectorworks or Revit. We use these drafted drawings for illustrative bases, submittals, presentations and construction documents. CAD provides the deliverables which in turn defines a project budget and scope. This generates money to pay salaries and fund operations.

CAD programs are directly compatible with SketchUp. I will provide greater detail about conversion and compatibility in the next blog, but suffice it to say that it’s as simple as importing your CAD drawing into SketchUp. The line work is then used to create a base model. This can be a building footprint, site plan of a plaza or a 500 acre community.

Imported CAD file in SketchUp

SketchUp imports CAD line work into its work space. This includes layers and blocks or classes and symbols (for those using Vectorworks). This compatibility allows for the creation of a model in what would normally take days, to be completed in hours.

Yes, there is a specific process that must be learned to complete this conversion. I review this in Part 4 of my book, Google SketchUp for Site Design, in great detail. And please excuse me for the shameless plug. However, I have used this conversion process for almost every model I have completed as a professional. If it were not for this compatibility, SketchUp would not be economical. .

If you know how to use CAD and understand how CAD fits into your scope of work then you can incorporate SketchUp into your design process. Even if you already utilize SketchUp, but struggle with making it profitable, the key to a seamless integration is by making CAD and SketchUp work together.

SketchUp image of mountain park - model by Scott Anderson and Daniel Tal, RNL (30 hours)

SketchUp image of mountain park - model by Scott Anderson and Daniel Tal, RNL

SketchUp image of mountain park - model by Scott Anderson and Daniel Tal, RNL

Have SketchUp models and images you’d like to share? I would love to see them. Feel free to send me images of some of your favorite SketchUp models. Please include 2 or 3 sentences about the model and project. I will share some of readers’ SketchUp models in a future blog. Send images and descriptions to gidion311@gmail.com

For more info about Daniel and his book, Google SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture on SketchUp visit www.daniel-tal.com

For a video about the book click here: About the book

For SketchUp YouTube animations created by Daniel visit:
http://www.youtube.com/dtalspace