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 <ja...@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 <dyo...@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>* >> >> This email message and attachments are intended only for the addressee. >> It may contain information which is legally privileged, confidential and >> exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this >> message, you may not disclose, print, copy or disseminate this message >> and/or the information contained in the message. If you have received this >> message in error, please reply and notify the sender (only) and delete this >> message along with any attachments. Unauthorized interception of this >> email is a violation of criminal laws and laws covering electronic >> communications privacy matters. >> >> >> >> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@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-boun...@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 <aug...@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 >> _______________________________________________ >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> No virus found in this message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3955/7169 - Release Date: 06/13/14 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> >> >
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