Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Official Google SketchUp Blog: SketchUp Pro Case Study: Tropman & Tropman Architects

Official Google SketchUp Blog: SketchUp Pro Case Study: Tropman & Tropman Architects

Saturday, June 12, 2010

SketchUp: A Natural BIM Platform

I was hoping to hear Google say it first..... but: 

Google is the best placed company to help create a true Open Standard for BIM*

Why is this?....

  • It is obvious that Google doesn't have a problem about sharing this platform with anyone else. SketchUp is free after all...
  • Interoperability with Google Earth (or any current or future equivalent public platform) is of fundamental importance for any self-respecting BIM package.
  • Google is quite good at writing code... ; )
  • Other BIM software vendors, (who have some very good products by the way) are operating on antique business and revenue models that seem to ignore the fact that the internet has arrived.
  • BIM is in danger of hitting a dead-end without a strong champion to make Open Standards work.
  • Aspire Architecture is already using SketchUp as a standalone BIM/ CAD tool on successfully completed projects up to €850,000 and is currently working on a €1.5 million project using the same approach.
  • Viewsion has written a training course that shows how SketchUp is used for creating Construction Documents.

Google- Its time to take on this challenge.... (please!)

*Its not too late for AutoDesk, Graphisoft, Bentley, Nemetschek and others to get on board... If you have the best platform (like you say you have) then you shouldn't be afraid of opening it up...