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Old 06-15-2018, 12:29 PM   #1
Bus Geek
 
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CAD recommendations?

Hey Everyone,

A while back I saw a thread discussing CAD programs for skoolie layout. Now that I am needing it I cannot find the thread

There was a program recommended that the poster said was supported by a huge library of readymade objects like appliances and furniture.

I need something that does not have a steep learning curve. I am finding that I am not as sharp at learning new applications as I used to be.... I guess that there is some truth in "You can't teach an old dog new tricks".

Easy dimensioning is also important to me.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

S.

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Old 06-15-2018, 01:03 PM   #2
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SketchUp

https://www.sketchup.com/

Powerful, moderately easy to learn, and FREE!
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Old 06-15-2018, 01:09 PM   #3
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You need a Windoze box to run it, but for most of us that's not a big hurdle.
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Old 06-15-2018, 01:34 PM   #4
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Ok....

I have the 30 day trial of Sketchup installed and with the help of YouTube I am making some progress.

Question: How do I resize the premade objects that I download from 3Dwarehouse? I have placed a shower and it is WAY too big.

Thank you for the help!!

S.
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Old 06-15-2018, 01:46 PM   #5
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I've been using SweetHome 3D. It's pretty straightforward and I was able to do what I needed without taking a bunch of time to learn to use a new application.
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Old 06-15-2018, 01:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Ok....

I have the 30 day trial of Sketchup installed and with the help of YouTube I am making some progress.

Question: How do I resize the premade objects that I download from 3Dwarehouse? I have placed a shower and it is WAY too big.

Thank you for the help!!

S.
Is your base drawing scaled, and is the shower model scaled? I would guess that the downloaded model has dimensional information that's correct and whatever you built already needs to be sized up to be accurate.
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Old 06-15-2018, 01:59 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cycle61 View Post
Is your base drawing scaled, and is the shower model scaled? I would guess that the downloaded model has dimensional information that's correct and whatever you built already needs to be sized up to be accurate.
If I am understanding, I cannot resize an object? I have to find objects that are exactly the dimensions that I want already created??

That is pretty limiting.
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:06 PM   #8
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I'm almost certain you can resize downloaded objects, just wanted to make sure you weren't trying to fit it into a bus that's three feet long or something.

I might have done that. Designed an awesome bed frame and then went to find a mattress for it, only to discover I was working in millimeters instead of inches. Oops.
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:20 PM   #9
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I use Cardboard-Aided Design extensively. Nothing beats having a full-size mockup inside the actual bus to check all the things that fancy computer programs can't do, like if your elbows will hit the shower door when washing your hair, or if you can comfortably reach the loo paper holder when you're in the loo, or if the overhead cabinets in the kitchen block your view of the cooktop underneath, or if you can make the bed without banging your toes against the bed frame, etc etc. Don't assume that electronical solutions are always best - sometimes good ol' cardboard works best, and sometimes it's the only way to know how things will turn out. Low tech always works!

John
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Old 06-15-2018, 02:25 PM   #10
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My neighbors might have some questions if I build a 40 foot long cardboard bus in the backyard.
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Old 06-15-2018, 05:19 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cycle61 View Post
I'm almost certain you can resize downloaded objects, just wanted to make sure you weren't trying to fit it into a bus that's three feet long or something.

I might have done that. Designed an awesome bed frame and then went to find a mattress for it, only to discover I was working in millimeters instead of inches. Oops.
I found after tinkering for a while that I can resize them but cannot specify dimensions. Just drag with the mouse.

There must be a better way.....
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Old 06-16-2018, 03:36 AM   #12
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I played around with it some on my flight home this afternoon, came up with something vaguely recognizable as a bus but not really scaled very well. Got a lot of practicing to do.

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