I asked this question directly to SU contacts and they suggested I post it here to get a broader response. the SU team will see it and perhaps folks have additional suggestions.
I’d like to suggest a tutorial on work flow and how to save Project Files that allow for the typical progress of design. I do interior design work and would like to streamline the file saving process to account for changes, adds to the project, going from schematic to final presentation drawings. If one saves every change on a unique file the number can expand copies to an enormous degree. I’m not classically trained so every Architect might know the best methods but I can find no resource that addresses it. Or Tell Aaron to do a tutorial. ;-). thanks
You do have to balance the changes with a new save. I keep it to fairly large changes, so I have a way to easily revert should that come up. A typical custom home for me has around 5-8 sketchup files of the home designs progression (does not include my other files for site, sections, interiors and RCP). The other files I use are just there for scenes so they do not get repeated with “save as”. Occasionally the site file will change if we have a major change to access or orientation, but that is usually flushed out in schematic design.
As for file organization it is quite simple. I have a folder for my Layout Files and a folder for my SU files, each contained in specific job folders that also sub folders for client interaction, HOA, building department, civil engineering, structural engineering, contractor, surveyor etc. The folder organization is standard and the same for every project.
I am going over a little of this at basecamp if you are attending. It is a really important step to stay organized and to easily access the files you need.
I’m glad you raised this even though it is not really a Sketchup issue solely.
You always have a toss up between being able to revert to a kind of Time Machine earlier version of a drawing and keeping a folder modest in size and easily navigable.
There may be three kinds of files to consider: the SKP file, the LO file, and PDF versions.
I wouldn’t normally consider it necessary to keep earlier iterations of a SKP drawing. No one I work with uses Sketchup so they cannot read SKP files anyway. They would always get any output from LO files in PDF format.
Most of the time, I rely on having PDF versions of early iterations so that I can see what has been sent out. But that’s because I don’t often need to go back and restart from some earlier point in time. If I did, I would probably have to think about keeping early SKP version files and it would all get to be a much bigger file management problem.
My guess is that this is a horses for courses issue that depends hugely on how individuals like to work and, especially, the project size. What may be appropriate for a one off house is unlikely to be suitable for a new concert hall, say.
Hi, here is my structure of files for Interior Design Process. Trimble Connect is the key for reference or combined files. Each milestone has it’s folder.
Good wisdom here, thanks. RE: size of project it’s so true. I’m a one person team whose projects swing wildly from tiny apt. kitchens to kitchen remodels that turn into entire home rebuilds. Then there is the permitting process which I occasionally tackle and regret it every time , but it’s a necessary evil. Seriously, we have to be ready for anything. Thanks for the feedback
Beautiful visual explanation. I’ll have to decode this but this is what I’m looking for in terms of structure. I’ll have to look into Trimble Connect but it’s probably for larger projects with multiple participants.
Thanks Community
I got great tips from you at the Steamboat gathering. I’ll take this to task.