Big Dock job - design ideas - Page 2 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Static Design · 10-14-2009, 03:13 PM

Well here are some sketch up drawings on the new layout and what he might be building. I hope he gets the account with all the time and effort put in the project. This is just a simple 2d export rendering, water and landscaping will come.

UpNorth · 10-14-2009, 09:55 PM

Put it up on the 3D Warehouse. I could use those twiggy railings.

If you don't want to part with the whole thing, just delete everything but the railings, all of them, and then put up that file. Call it Twig Railing.

I can shrink or stretch the various sections to fit.

Static Design · 10-14-2009, 10:44 PM

haha those railings sucked they are called Mountain Laurel handrails, I will post them up when I get a chance.

**Cole** · 10-14-2009, 10:53 PM

Are you guys working on this project together?

UpNorth · 10-15-2009, 09:22 AM

Full Spool, here is a pic of what kind of railings get done here, and thus my interest in your Sketchup handiwork.

Also included is a pic of a little kitchen/bath/laundry bumpout work-up I did in Sketchup. Construction docs will be done using Chief Architect.

Will you upload the railings to the 3D Whse? For your viewing enjoyment, I am uploading to the Warehouse, a structural workout of a house frame, under the title "Prairie House Eyebrow." Tell me what you think.

BTW, my 'hood is the land of boathouses, but we don't 'low no jetskis or waverunners. Antique mahogany inboards preferred. No gelcoat. Can't say why.

casey344 · 10-15-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole

Are you guys working on this project together?

I offered to pay for his services, we agreed on a price and after many revisions we arrive at the drawings you see here. I wanted something nice to present to my clients and did not have the time to commit because of some other projects I am working on.

Static Design · 10-15-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casey344

I offered to pay for his services, we agreed on a price and after many revisions we arrive at the drawings you see here. I wanted something nice to present to my clients and did not have the time to commit because of some other projects I am working on.

It's been a pleasure working with you, how the presentation go? I will send the landscaping and water pics when I get back to the office.

UpNorth: I will get those handrails up for you sometime soon, I have been very busy lately so once free time occurs I will post them up.

Static Design · 10-16-2009, 09:13 PM

Here are some quick renderings.

Rio · 10-16-2009, 11:58 PM

Those natural wood balusters are really cool looking. Are there any code issues you might have to worry about? I know the current IBC rule is less than 4". You don't want some kid getting their head stuck in between a couple of the balusters or worse, slipping through and falling. The renderings look nice but rigid. There are some free software applications that work with Sketchup that can really soften the look that work well. I tried to pull one up but the net is running slow at the moment and I'm getting ready to sign off so I passed on digging up the info. If you could extend the storage area to go all the way under the stairs I think it would be more in proportion and would make that long, tall and narrow space more usuable. It looks like the area under the roof is taller now which is nice. Even a foot or so can make a big difference. A 6' height is a lot nicer to move around in than a 5' one but if you can take it up to at least 7' clear. Also maybe play around with making the corbels larger. I think it might make it look more balanced.
P.S. Just noticed when proof reading that some of the interior corbels are running the wrong way.

Static Design · 10-17-2009, 12:42 PM

the renders look rigid because they are sketch up materials. sketch up is a modeling program not a realistic rendering software. Now if his client wanted an full brown render I would of built it in autocad, revit, or chief arch and used kerkythea for rendering with there materials.

MattCoops · 10-17-2009, 10:44 PM

There's a guy on here from Lake Wylie, SC that actually builds docks rather than design them with LEGO software. You should check him out sometime. He designed my old boat's hydraulic lift and I never had the pleasure to shake his hand. I broke my foot kicking the side of my neighbors canoe.

Static Design · 10-17-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

There's a guy on here from Lake Wylie, SC that actually builds docks rather than design them with LEGO software. You should check him out sometime. He designed my old boat's hydraulic lift and I never had the pleasure to shake his hand. I broke my foot kicking the side of my neighbors canoe.

I don't understand what you're saying, your paragraph is to random. It's like reading something like I went to the store, then I bowled, had a cheese burger, you should do that tonight. What point are you trying to make?

I do design/build which means I don't just "design" with lego software, it's more like sims. If you're going to try to be a smartA$$ then get your comparisons right you will find yourself more creditable. Casey and his company wanted a sketch up drawing, it's a modeling program not a rendering software. If you want to question my "actual" building abilities I will be more then happy to give you a tour in my area.

Maybe it's late and I am reading to much into this.

BCConstruction · 10-18-2009, 09:01 AM

looks good

Im in the process of teaching my self sketch up and for a free program im well impressed. Taking me some time getting used to how it works though. I find it's great for knocking up a frame for a project in real dimensions and being able to ajust it on the fly to suit customers preference. Gives them a great idea of how it's gonna turn out.

Also how long does it take to knock up something like that. im curious to know how long it can take if ya know what ya doing?

UpNorth · 10-19-2009, 11:17 AM

My first try ever at rendering a Sketchup model I did, using a sidekick rendering program, Kerkythea. And Kerky is free, just like Sketchup.

I did not bother to populate my SU model with textured terrain, nor outdoor stuff like plants, trees, and more, but that stuff is all available free from Google's 3D warehouse.

Static Design · 10-19-2009, 11:27 AM

Kerky is a great program, the best thing it's free. I discovered the program about 2 or 3 years ago and keep it on hand, VIZ or Max is also great plus you can animate in those programs. Upnorth did you get that sketch up file to work out for you?

UpNorth · 10-19-2009, 01:50 PM

Yes, I did, and thank you very much.

Here is a sample of the way it is typically done here. Posts, rails, twigs all white cedar. Note the coped joints, and also the belled post, from a tree whacked near to the ground.

And, no, we've no building inspection here of railings. Or stairs. This, and open-riser stairs, with treads made from halfsawn logs, prevail.

MattCoops · 10-23-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Static Design

I don't just "design" with lego software

Static, I think your models are great for concepts. You have a knack for creative design.
But unless you use CAD or can do any drafting, and know building standards and can create drawings that meet architectural codes, these images are merely a means of inspiration to someone who gets paid to draft technical drawings.
I respect your craft as an artist. As your signature states you: "Will do autocad/ 3d work for food." It's unfortunate that most artists don't get paid until after they've died.
I think your work has a lot of potential. And I'm not saying that a GC or architectural firm would love to have you as an asset.
I think if you couple your creative skills with a few courses at a local community college based on building codes and architectural standards you may have a great road ahead.

As I said, right now, you are merely "building with legos". These are great illustrations. Most architects render these ideas in pencil. And then draft these or use a CAD program. These drawings look like you've spent more than a few days on. But in reality, you can't take these to the building department in any county.
See if any of these city workers at the planning & building office have time to talk to you about how you can turn this craft into a paying trade. Networking there, you may get a point of contact to call and now you have a local government employee as a reference. At the least, you can get a printout of local permits that were pulled in the public knowledge database and make contact with them. Maybe even send them a nice compact presentation of your workmanship.
See if an engineer has some time to take a look at your drawings and ask if she/he thinks a construction company or architectural firm would be willing to pay for these models/renderings?

I do think you have some great potential here though. You show a great deal of detail. And there may very well be people, as I've said, they may pay for your concept. Of course, they will have to take your image and hand it to a CAD developer or draftperson. If you can cut out that extra workload, you may find a profitable niche.

Chris G · 10-23-2009, 03:20 PM

I think that's awesome you guys could work together. I bet the client is over the moon happy seeing those renderings.

The OP came here asking for design help. And he got it. Unfortunately what happens in a lot of these "asking for opinion type threads" is that people wander off topic, and begin to offer opinions that have no relevance to the original question. By page 3, a discussion of what makes a pretty and functional boathouse morphs into, well, we'll see won't we.....

Static Design · 10-23-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

Static, I think your models are great for concepts. You have a knack for creative design.
But unless you use CAD or can do any drafting, and know building standards and can create drawings that meet architectural codes, these images are merely a means of inspiration to someone who gets paid to draft technical drawings.
I respect your craft as an artist. As your signature states you: "Will do autocad/ 3d work for food." It's unfortunate that most artists don't get paid until after they've died.
I think your work has a lot of potential. And I'm not saying that a GC or architectural firm would love to have you as an asset.
I think if you couple your creative skills with a few courses at a local community college based on building codes and architectural standards you may have a great road ahead.

As I said, right now, you are merely "building with legos". These are great illustrations. Most architects render these ideas in pencil. And then draft these or use a CAD program. These drawings look like you've spent more than a few days on. But in reality, you can't take these to the building department in any county.
See if any of these city workers at the planning & building office have time to talk to you about how you can turn this craft into a paying trade. Networking there, you may get a point of contact to call and now you have a local government employee as a reference. At the least, you can get a printout of local permits that were pulled in the public knowledge database and make contact with them. Maybe even send them a nice compact presentation of your workmanship.
See if an engineer has some time to take a look at your drawings and ask if she/he thinks a construction company or architectural firm would be willing to pay for these models/renderings?

I do think you have some great potential here though. You show a great deal of detail. And there may very well be people, as I've said, they may pay for your concept. Of course, they will have to take your image and hand it to a CAD developer or draftperson. If you can cut out that extra workload, you may find a profitable niche.

I have a B.S degree in architecture, I can draft and do autocad: my signature is clearly for entertaining purposes.

UpNorth, I have never been a fan of those railings but here lately they have been growing on me. I am very modern person, I love clean lines so those are way off the beaten path of my background. Since we got off topic I will post some pics of the hand rails I just completed. They are stainless steel cables with a 1 1/4" hand rail that are powder coated to match the cables, they turned out great (design and built by yours truly.) I would post them up now but I am in Ohio putting in 30 tons of HVAC in a Church up here; when I return back to KY I will grab the camera and post the pics.