[RE-wrenches] Proposal Sketching Tool/Software

Tue Jun 17 14:16:40 PDT 2014

Rather than sharing individual presentation examples, I did a screen
recording of preparing a model in Sketchup Pro and Layout from start to
finish. This is me preparing a real presentation package that will be used
tomorrow at an in-house presentation by a sales rep. I ignored roof
obstructions in the interest of time, but you can see in the video that I
completed a viable presentation package in 10 minutes showing the maximum
PV possible on a roof. The magic happens at 2:25 when the Instant Roof
script does it's work. Here is a link to the video:

http://youtu.be/vs3ypUOe2_c

This is not sped up. I did take some minor liberties in the interest of
time - I would typically spend about 5 minutes extra making sure dimensions
are as accurate as possible. This particular address didn't have the
sharpest imagery from Google Earth, but it was passable. I'll be well
within 1' on all roof dimensions based on my past experience, and a few
measurements from the ground can confirm accuracy level. I used Bing Maps
to estimate a roof pitch of 5:12, which is pretty typical of the
neighborhood I know this house to be within. Google street view is not
available in this gated community. I assumed an 18" eave, which I generally
use as a generic dimension unless I know homes in a neighborhood to have
different overhangs. This home had a raised entryway and a lower beam
height for the garage, so it was not the easiest home to model, but far
from the hardest. I took a few minutes to set up my rendering scenes and
elevations because I am anticipating this actually being used eventually
for construction and permitting docs in Layout, but that's totally
optional. I skipped some minor steps in Layout, too, like changing the
quantity of modules in the legend. I'll go back and clean things up before
sending to the sales rep. I showed off some of the shading analysis
capabilities, even though it wasn't necessary for this unshaded roof.

You can see the mouse clicks, but what you don't see is my keyboard
presses - I have shortcuts set up for most tools and actions to speed my
workflow.

Preparing models from PDF or DWF plans results in a mode every bit as
accurate as AutoCAD. I use essentially the same techniques. That can really
blow away a homeowner (and sometimes an architect).

Hopefully that answers your questions about the viability of Sketchup for
doing solar energy presentations!

Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar

On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 4:07 PM, Jason Szumlanski <jason at fafcosolar.com>
wrote:

> 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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