Hi All,
I am looking for some advice with regards to an alternative CAD software to allow correct geometric properties export to IFC models.
I have been a user of SketchUp for over 10 years and have not really used anything else. I run a small estimating services business for Builders, and I am finding that part of my workflow is now modelling the structural side of the jobs to enable accurate take offs as the quality of documentation is decreasing and the architects and building designers do not share their 3D models to the Builders. I use a number of plugins (Profile Builder 3, Quantifier Pro, & Framer) as part of my workflow.
The issue that I am having is TIME or the lack of it. I use Cubit Pro estimating software for our core business. Our current workflow involves exporting reports to csv from Quantifier Pro and importing into Cubit Pro., which works well however when a change in design or budget change resulting in revision works occur, it is almost a start again process, hence the time factor comes in.
Cubit Pro BIM has resolved this by allowing IFC models to be used directly to generate quantities, track changes automatically and saving manual entry or importing of quantities. Hence the reason for this post! Over the years I have been waiting for SketchUp to have the ability to exporting IFC model correctly and have all the geometric properties included (length, height, width, weight etc.) and its getting to the point that I don’t believe this is going to happen. I cant seem to find a plugin that helps with this issue either.
I don’t really want to change from SketchUp, however its getting to the stage that I may need to look around, either if someone has overcome the issues that I am having or an alternative software! I have looked at Revit, BricsCAD, TurboCAD and found that the user interface is so foreign from SketchUp that I couldn’t drive it and felt the learning curve would take too long.
Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.