[RE-wrenches] Proposal Sketching Tool/Software

Tue Jun 17 13:07:53 PDT 2014

To answer August's question regarding plugins, and as a recommendation to
Daniel - you MUST use the Instant Roof plugin by Chuck Vali. It went
subscription based this year, but for $39/year you get the most incredible
time saver you can ever imagine. Don't take this the wrong way, and not to
brag, but with Instant Roof I can duplicate Daniel's model in well under 30
minutes (assuming the solar panel component is already done).

Other than that, I don't use any plugins for most models. I find Skelion
takes longer than just copying and moving components around, especially if
you have the component dimensions memorized. Like Daniel said, templates,
components, and groups makes short work of these models.

As for rendering, I've found most options frustrating and slow, but then
again I haven't invested in any pro versions. Sketchup styles can produce
very convincing graphics, and using Hybrid rendering in Layout give you
terrific results.

Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar

On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 3:52 PM, Daniel Young <dyoung at dovetailsolar.com>
wrote:

> We also use Sketchup pro. If you take some time and create highly detailed
> templates for your commonly used equipment, then putting together an array
> layout can take about 5 min longer than it takes to draw up the building
> itself. Learning to use the components and groups functionality really
> saves time and lets you do high quality work pretty quickly.
>
>
>
> For clients that want more “polish” we bought the Maxwell render plugin
> for Sketchup. It lets you render your sketches in a more photorealistic
> manner. Here is one that I took a good amount of time making (2+hrs) and
> the rendering can take an hour as well if you push the resolution way up,
> but you can do other things while the program renders the sketch.
>
>
>
> With Regards,
>
>
>
> Daniel Young,
>
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation ProfessionalTM: Cert #031508-90
>
> NABCEP Certified Solar Heating InstallerTM: Cert #SH031409-13
>
>  Lead Systems Designer for:
>
> [image: Dovetail 2013 cmyk 300dpi.jpg]
>
> *www.dovetailsolar.com <http://www.dovetailsolar.com>*
>
> Ph: 740-274-0139
>
>
>
> We’ve completed over 310 renewable energy projects!  Check out a few in
> our photo gallery:  *http://www.dovetailsolar.com/Our-Work.aspx?path=commercial+-+solar+electric
> <http://www.dovetailsolar.com/Our-Work.aspx?path=commercial+-+solar+electric>*
>
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> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *August Goers
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 17, 2014 3:33 PM
>
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Proposal Sketching Tool/Software
>
>
>
> Hi Jason,
>
>
>
> These look nice, just what we’re looking for. Do you model the buildings
> to 3D yourself? Do you use any plugins or just Sketchup Pro?
>
>
>
> Best, August
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Jason Szumlanski
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 17, 2014 12:19 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Proposal Sketching Tool/Software
>
>
>
> It depends on what you call quick, and what you consider professional
> looking. I've found Sketchup to be perfect for our needs. I'm usually doing
> low-cost solar pool heating system presentations, so speed is critical.
> 15-20 minutes is usually enough time for a great 5-page presentation in
> Sketchup Pro with Layout. On more complex roofs and for higher value
> projects, an hour may be required for a stellar proposal that blows away
> the competition.
>
>
>
> A few low res pics are at the link below. I do literally almost 1000
> presentation packets per year. If you want to see something hi-res, hit me
> up off list and I'll email you an actual presentation packet.
>
>
>
>
> https://drive.google.com/a/fafcosolar.com/file/d/0B-Kt4aH7U2BWOXJhRXRoSV82SFE/edit?usp=sharing
>
>
>
> Jason Szumlanski
>
> Fafco Solar
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 2:54 PM, August Goers <august at luminalt.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Wrenches,
>
> We are finding that more and more of our competitors are giving
> prospective clients a really nice array sketch along with their proposals.
> We have been using Google Earth and Sketchup for this but our sales reps
> are wondering if there is anything better out there. I am aware of
> Pictometry but haven't been wowed by it in the past. I've also seen the
> Bright Harvest and Skelion plugins for Sketchup but I'm not completely
> sold. Sometimes we punt it over to the engineering department to do a full
> Autocad drawing but that takes time.
>
> Does anyone have software tools that they like to provide quick but
> professional looking array sketches for their clients during the proposal
> phase?
>
> Best, August
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