Agree, did they issue a PDF along with the CAD dwg.?. it was always our policy to issue a PDF as a record of the document, the DWG was to assist but not be the legal issue… and use at their own risk
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With a survey it is often impossible to know if the irregularities you see are a result of the building really being off or inaccuracies by the surveyor. I know that the columns of a prefabricated concrete building from the 1980s are rectangular, not lozenge-shaped.
Sure but the kind of surveys done by land surveyors using modern theodolites/total stations can probably be relied upon to be accurate (or I have no reason to doubt them so far). But when you have rooms that are out of square, walls that are out of upright, and such like, it makes the thing really hard to work with. Outside of archaeological recording, it’s also unnecessary to work with too because the guys on the tools don’t really need to know that a wall they plaster happens to be 5mm out of upright (say).
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Same here. ALL record drawings are to be PDF but I also ask for all dwg files for my records.
Having trained in illustration and then self taught and learnt over the years how to use CAD drawings and plans with Sketchup (and not actual CAD programs hardly at all), I am finding this thread refreshingly comforting that I am running into identical issues as you all. Formal training is always a decent idea so you know the standard methods and I have felt in lacking training I could be getting into bad habits… but it seems not. So thank you all
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I’m leaning towards agreement with @gsharp on this one. Assuming it’s a *.DWG coming from 3rd party software and 3rd party users - I don’t expect them to match my personal user setup and start with the assumption that not much will be usable.
If I can open in a 3rd party 2D CAD program, then I would bulk delete unnecessary paper spaces (extra step which is not really necessary), I would bulk delete unnecessary linework & text & dimensions in model space, check that all DWG layers are visible and unlocked, sometimes explode linework and then purge entire drawing before re-saving as new file name.
On the SU side I start with a tag that simply says DWG and import the newly tidied, purged and saved file I just created. It brings in all it’s layer names, which I then select, delete and “move contents to current tag” (being the DWG I created). Then I simply proceed with my personal user setup.
It’s perhaps an extra 30min of time to my workflow but when I’m spend weeks on a project, 30min doesn’t seem like too much of a burden.
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Sure, then one has to consider the benefit of that level of accuracy. That level of accuracy in software is possible but on site there is not much that can currently consistently maintain that degree of accuracy (barring the new 3D “printed” buildings that are starting to come through OR anything that is potentially fabricated and delivered to site). So then is that level of accuracy worth the added difficulties in design? To have a line that is 5mm out on a major axis means it will constantly want to snap to the major axis. Just a little frustration that would have to be managed. I would then rather ignore such a small accuracy and continue with an orthographically accurate drawing, knowing that it won’t effect anything on site. It’s worth noting that in this country, brick and mortar is the predominant construction method and artisans are not commonly well trained - so inaccuracy is expected.
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Which one is that?
Whilst I hold to what I wrote, the need for accuracy does depend on what you are building. Over here (UK), we are currently building a new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point. I saw a programme about it. Usual building tolerances are simply not permissible in such cases and things have to be (at least) millimetre perfect.
But I don’t think there is very much chance of anyone commissioning me to design a nuclear plant anytime soon.
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Yes accuracy has it’s place and the wisdom necessary to discern what is important and relevant to be accurate should the guiding factor here.
I work between Autocad and Sketchup all the time. Not sure if this has been suggested (there are a lot of comments!) The easiest way I’ve found is to create an Autocad file containing one layer with all the information I want to use in Sketchup and then import it,…
The only problem with the “tidy up first in Autocad” assumes that you have Autocad software (or a clone) and know how to use it. It means knowing and having access to two separate software packages. I imagine it would suit more people if everything could be done in Sketchup.
https://learn.sketchup.com/track/3-ways-boost-your-cad-3d-workflow
Have you checked out our learning course on this topic? We tried to address three different approaches: 1. Importing CAD as is and cleaning up in SU;
2. Cleaning up in CAD first with knowledge of how you want to work with the data later in SU; and
3. Using CAD as a reference only and drawing over the top (sometimes the best way given how messy/complicated some CAD files/drafters are. Happy to answer any specific questions should you have any as you continue in your CAD2SU journey 
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