casey344

Below is an "almost complete" version of what I supply our customers with. I use Visio. It was great when top-down drawings were all I wanted, it is otherwise limited.

Believe it or not the drawing below is better than anything I have seen a competitor provide. I would still like to step things up a little in this area by providing 3D drawings.

Should I learn to use Sketchup or would something else be best?

Thank you for your time.


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SelfContract

What is it? A deck with stairs?......needs more legends & foot notes...it's too small to see details. I agree, Sketchup or other drafting prog is better. Visio is just for drawing organization charts, general layout, & most other Technical drawings (i.e., network diagram, business processes, software flowchart, electrical symbols, manufacturing process, etc.) but not geared toward Construction trade much.

mickeyco

Here you go:




Either you will have to draw them in 3D yourself in Visio or switch to a different application (unless Visio does 3D now, the version I have doesn't). There's a pile of applications that will do it, many are quite expensive, lots of the guys here uses Sketchup and it does a very nice job and they tell me it's not to hard, one day I'm going to try it.




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casey344

You are reinforcing my need to improve.

It's a boat dock with an upper deck patio, stairs coming down to the lower level where the boat resides and it's connected to the land via a gangway.

I've searched the library of Sketchup drawings and couldn't find a boat dock anyone drew that I would be proud to show. Would any of you who are familiar with Sketchup be willing to draw this dock for me in 3D?

This is an actual design and estimate I am working on.

casey344

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Here is an example of one we just finished.

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casey344

One thing I would like to add ... I am not looking for a free program if SketchUp will not do what I'm looking to do. I will spend what I have to, this is far too important to me.

I would like to avoid (if possible) having to learn multiple programs before getting to the right one.

jmic

Casey...................Very nice Deck / Dock.

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Joe

JPC2

Casey - looks like nice work! Cool idea.
Do you ever use composite or other decking? I bet that platform decked in Ipe would look sweeeeet!

casey344

Yes, we have built IPE but customers have complained about splinters so it is not what I have been recommending. AZEK PVC is probably my best seller, Evergrain composite is a close second if they want specific colors.

Pics below ... 1. Azek PVC ... 2. Evergrain ...3. IPE

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Cole

Sketchup will do it for you with ease.

I would be willing to help you out, but I am busy and would not have much free time to work on your 3d design.

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casey344

Thank you for your input ...

To you or whomever may be interested (and I'm sure you can make more doing other things) but if any of you could come up with a drawing I could submit to a customer I am more than willing to pay for it.

jmanzo1

I might be able to help. Email me at jmanzo1@comcast.net with your specifications and schedule. I love 3D; I can draw it in Sketchup or Cad
what ever you prefer.

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Jmanzo1

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framerman

Casey, the most bang for your buck would be Rhino IMO. Great 3d modeling tools and acts almost exactly like AutoCAD. You can also get a VRay plugin for photorealistic shots. VRay also has a plugin for SketchUp. Rhino-Under $1000. Check out the gallery on their website.

I've never personally learned SketchUp, played with it, it seems nice enough, may be good enough for you.

AutoCAD can also do what you're looking for, but over $4000, not my game anymore.

I've heard good things about TurboCAD also.

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Stone Mountain

I can do that deck and dock very easily in DeckTools. Unfortunately it's expensive and has its limitations.

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baum

I see this is an older thread, but anyways here you go. this is a start, i will try and do more. Im a freelance designer (trying to put food on the table j.k). I will try and do more, with a little photoshop touch ups (making it not do dark). then post it again.

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casey344

Baum,

Thank you for taking the time to draw that out. I really looks like one we have built.

Casey

baum

If you need or want a 3d pic and rendering done like this just let me know.

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Aaron Baumgartner
Minneapolis, MN
Freelance Designer
aaron.baumgartner@gmail.com