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**Sanders_cg** · 25-05-2008, 08:21 PM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

I think sketchup is used more to present 3d models of designs. As you know you can get plans off the sketchup models, but i think autocad gives more of a technical and professional result when it comes to plans. I must admit i am no expert at autocad, but it is a fairly simple program to use and I actually find it useful to make my plans in autocad and then export them into sketchup to then build the 3d model by simply extruding walls etc. Also from your sketchup model you can export line drawings into autocad

I wouldn't say you would have to give up sketchup in order to use autocad. In fact i think it may be to your benefit if you learnt to use it, as both programs work quite well together

**jackman13** · 31-01-2011, 06:05 AM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

East & West, Sketchup is the BEST. Right now there is no option other than Google Sketchup. It is probably the best & easiest tool in 3d designing field.
There is a sketchup magazine which contains lots of 3d models designed with sketchup & lots of information on it.
If interested visit here http://www.sketchup4architect.com/magazine.htm

**andybot_cg** · 31-01-2011, 08:04 AM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

I would second that AutoCAD and sketchup work well together. I find anything other than AutoCAD is cumbersome and inefficient to produce good 2D drawings, and for 3D design, nothing is better than Sketchup. Part of being an architect is to be able to communicate visually, and having AutoCAD to produce 2D presentation drawings is a powerful tool towards that end. I toyed with Layout briefly, but it is just too slow for me and too many limitations compared to ACAD. Having full control over lineweights, dimension styles, etc. can produce much more professional looking work.

-Andy

**ValeroStudio** · 31-01-2011, 03:10 PM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

I'm going to bet you'll get a ton of responses on this topic. Here is my 2 cents...

AutoCAD and SketchUp are 2 very different programs, so you can't call someone unprofessional because they are using it and not the other. I could easily tell that person "What, your not using Revit? Your still using 2D CAD? How unprofessional!" There is little argument there. I have seen designers using SU to design and do light documentation with LayOut - all the power to you to stay the hell away from AutoCrap.. I mean CAD. AutoCAD is like what, $4k? If you don't need it, stay away. I have gotten by using AutoCAD WS (web based) to open and read files to see text and notes, etc.

Now there is a feeling among the rendering viz community that SketchUp is wimpy and just child's play. A lot of the big players (viz pros) are using AutoCAD, 3D Studio, and Vray for the most part. I really think SU has come a long way and the Vray plugin has really helped lift SU out of being seen as a simple 3D program. People have seen my rendering work cannot believe I am doing this stuff in SU and I really have impressed even the most advanced users of CAD and 3DS.

CADdies will be always think AutoCAD is #1 and so on with 3DS and even those hardcore SU users think anything else is a waste of time and money. There are a million pieces of software out there for design / viz and you have to use what is the most cost effective and works with your workflow. I would never let a client tell me that I am "unprofessional" for using SU. That's ridiculous. Every firm I have worked for and with, has several seats of it. It's here to stay for a long time and will become widely accepted, if it isnt already there. 3DStudio just recently started accepting SKP as an import format if that tells you anything.

**andybot_cg** · 31-01-2011, 05:56 PM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

Seems to me there are two different critiques going on here, and I'm curious to know more about what part zun kian is referring to. I think pretty much everyone on this forum will stand behind the quality of 3D renders with VfSU. What I am wondering is whether there was 2D material presented as well. Vray flat-out won't help you with 2D unless you're doing a cutaway plan and basically using 3D information. Was there issue with presenting SU drawings? I can easily see how the "cartooni-ness" of Sketchup can look "unprofessional" compared to a plan drafted in a robust 2D drafting software (ACAD or otherwise.) Zun Kian, I would be interested to know if there was a particular part of your presentation that brought on that comment.

**skurl** · 31-01-2011, 07:11 PM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

sketchup is a professionals software, easy n fast, i get to present my ideas so easyly, i just use auto cad to do my working drawings, sketchup is heavily used throughout the design industry, people have no time to go through rigurious programmes sometimes to do a design, i simply love its look n ease of use, believe me it makes great presentations combined with photoshop.

**Jackson_cg** · 01-02-2011, 02:12 PM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

Disregarding the differences and limitations of SketchUp versus Autocad in term of visual presentations, I'm not in the least bit surprised that a prospective client would dismiss an architect who can't use Autocad or similar CAD program (Vectorworks, Microstation, etc). The simple fact is the construction industry is still overwhelmingly dominated by the dwg file format and the ability to read, use and issue 2D dwg construction drawings (with proper linetypes, lineweights, layers, etc) to and from other design team members is vital. Importing a dwg into SketchUp for editing and then exporting again for others to use in Autocad is going to render those dwgs almost unusable. Revit is becoming more established (especially as prospective clients are beginning to demand it), but a basic level of skills in Autocad is going to be neccessary for years to come. SU is a great tool, but it will never replace programs designed for producing construction drawings (well, not while Google own it anyway).

If your office is a one-man setup and you don't work with any other consultants you can maybe justify only working in SU, but as soon as you have to exchange electronic information with other professionals (and your client) you will, sooner or later, need to be able to use Autocad or similar.

**blitzer_26** · 01-02-2011, 10:27 PM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

Originally posted by Sanders

I wouldn't say you would have to give up sketchup in order to use autocad. In fact i think it may be to your benefit if you learnt to use it, as both programs work quite well together

Originally posted by Jackson

If your office is a one-man setup and you don't work with any other consultants you can maybe justify only working in SU, but as soon as you have to exchange electronic information with other professionals (and your client) you will, sooner or later, need to be able to use Autocad or similar.

Agreed!
I use sketch up and Autocad in tandem, creating much more accurate models and allowing faster modeling and more detail...

Autocad is much harder to master as opposed to sketchup, it is a much more technical computer program, but is terrible for 3d work.

IMO if you are producing Sketchup models to 'clients' you are most likely in the architecture field. And if you are, and are educated in the field....you should know at least the basics of Autocad.

Good Luck

**andybot_cg** · 02-02-2011, 07:25 AM

Re: SketchUp and AutoCad

excellent point Jackson. There is more to professional than just presentation. There's a reason DWG is industry standard. (Layer management being one of them. SU is just terrible for that)

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