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Posted by Edgar on August 29, 2007, 11:13 am
>
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I am currently testing out a new program I am devloping for my MSc in
>>>> Computer Science. Its a 3D architectural sketching package designed
>>>> for rapid prototyping called KSketch. I would really like some
>>>> opinions on the usability and usefulness of this program from people
>>>> who are involved in architectural design (even from thos who are not).
>>>> The program is availible for free at www.ksketch.com. If you are
>>>> interested then have a play and fill in the survey form at
>>>> www.ksketch.com/survey.php. Any help would be very much appreciated
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>
>>>> Kevin
>>>
>>> Once, just once, I'd like to see a CAD program that approaches from the
>>> *construction* angle rather than the drafting angle.
>>> It would require a tremendous, yet infinitely expandable, database
>>> consisting of all known building materials and then a designer could
>>> *assemble* a building in 2d - toggle - 3d by actually putting the thing
>>> together with *real* materials. Each time a particular *material*, say
>>> an 8"x8"x16" concrete block was selected and placed it would register in
>>> the ongoing database for a final materials list.
>>>
>>> Lines and circles do not equate with the real world except in the
>>> imaginations of some of the people that use the machines that produce
>>> the drawings and then read/interpret them in the field.
>>> However, without hands on experience in all of the building trades its
>>> not possible to understand or anticipate the multitude of circumstances
>>> that must be accounted for in the field during assembly.
>>>
>>> I don't want to draw, in 2d, 2 parallel lines around the perimeter of
>>> building that *represent* a footing.
>>> I want to grab a certain sized rectangle from a series of *blocks, place
>>> it appropriately, then *extrude it in various directions to create a
>>> *real time* solid concrete foundation.
>>> Then I want to select a certain size concrete block and place it one at
>>> a time, or in groups, upon that extruded footing and create the required
>>> stemwall.
>>> From below the ground all the way up to the uppermost roof peak I want
>>> to *build* a building within the computer and solve, along the way, the
>>> myriad of problems that numbskallz in the field will have to deal with.
>>>
>>> The method I am suggesting is the way it will eventually be, but until
>>> that time we will have to deal with incremental adjustments to the
>>> standard approach, which in my opinion is abysmally dismal.
>>>
>>> One of these days, in full blown autocad, I'm going to take the time to
>>> create a system of blocks that will do exactly what I've described and
>>> see how it works out.
>>>
>>> One of these days.........
>>>
>>
>> I believe that's what programs like Revit (and before that Architectural
>> Desktop) were trying to do. A database driven program. I would really
>> like to give Revit a go sometime. I hear it basically does everything
>> you describe. Of course you can take a huge expense and learning curve
>> jump and do like Gehry did and adjust CATIA for use in the architectural
>> field. It's what has allowed him to design those organic shapes he does.
>> All of these options have a huge learning curve so if time is money, then
>> lines and circles serve you better until you have the time to learn the
>> new program. That's the biggest wall to overcome when dealing with these
>> programs. The way I see it these types of programs put all the work up
>> front so it gets easier later on, where as the 2D AutoCAD way puts all
>> the hard work at then end with all the basic easy stuff right from the
>> get go. With the database driven program you have to know all the
>> variables from the get-go so you input the correct stuff. Mind you this
>> is from the perspective of never having used either of those programs so
>> I could be way off.
>>
>> Personally, when I have more time, I want to set up some parts in
>> Sketchup that I can use to make a model of my house. You can draw
>> components and use them repeatedly. I can draw a 2x4 to actual
>> dimensions and use it in the 3D model. Of course if it was database
>> driven, I could calculate materials and costs, but for now I just want a
>> 3D version of my house.
>
> My problem is time.
> Most of the time I devote to using a cad program is in effort to chase a
> dollar.
> To customize autocad, or learn revit and customize it would require vast
> amounts of time, and no payoff.
> If I, or you, were successful in doing as I described above, what would be
> the point?
> The building dept won't accept the output from such a thing.
> They will only accept 2d representations because thats all they know how
> to do.
> For a plans examiner to *read* a set of plans based in the format I
> described would require him to know more than he currently does and might
> therefore take more time on his part.
> I guess the method I described could possible escalate change, but as far
> as I'm concerned that chance is very remote.
> From a bored hobby perspective though I find the idea enchanting.
>
Well as far as I know, even the contractor probably wouldn't accept plans in
any other form than the standard, unless he was a good buddy of yours. But
the thing about this type of drafting is that even though you are designing
in 3D, the 2D output is entirely a piece of cake if you drew everything
correctly from the start (which is why I say this database driven drawing
takes more work up front). It's just a matter of taking slices of the
building and putting that into a layout. Being in 3D this makes it very
easy, and you could have as many sections as you deem necessary without too
much work, because you've done all the work up front. If you mess around
with Sketchup and then take a look at section slices you'll see what I mean.
I can draw a 3D Sketchup model and export a 2D slice of it into AutoCAD to
draw in it like it were a 2D drawing. In Revit, I think you just take a
horizontal slice 3 feet off the ground for your floor plan, reverse it for
your reflected ceiling plan, then turn vertical and take shots from outside
the model for elevations (interior or exterior) and then slice it for
sections. Align all these in a layout sheet and you've got a set of
drawings to which you can add dimensions notes etc. Change one thing on the
3D model, and it changes on every sheet that is affected by that change.
And of course you got your 3D presentation model right there ready to be
presented. That's the way I see this type of drawing being used.
--
Edgar
--
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