Arranging the Objects

The last step is to import the second AutoCAD file that contains the blocks of site elements, furnishings, and vegetation (Fig. 16-9).

Bench

Pedestrian light

Table & chairs Bollard

Tree

Fig. 16-9: Example of AutoCAD blocks that represent a bench, a table and chairs, a pedestrian light, a bollard, and a tree.

As with layers, AutoCAD blocks import directly into SketchUp. Once they are imported, AutoCAD blocks instantly become SketchUp components (Fig. 16-10). This means that all versions of the block are now components; they can be edited to affect all the other similar blocks/ components in the model.

Fig. 16-10: The blocks from Fig. 16-9 that are imported into SketchUp become editable components that are replaced with 3D SketchUp component models.

The last step of the conversion process simply replaces the 2D linework of the imported CAD blocks (Fig. 16-11) with 3D SketchUp components. This allows you to instantaneously and accurately arrange many types of site objects in a model (Fig. 16-12, Fig. 16-13, Fig. 16-14). Converting blocks into components and arranging the objects is reviewed in detail in Chapter 19.

Fig. 16-11: An Imported AutoCAD file containing blocks placed ono a SketchUp Flatwork Base.

Fig. 16-12: Editing the 2D block/component and pasting a 3D component into the block is a quick way to add detailed elements to a model.

Fig. 16-13: A 3D component is placed into the 2D block. All versions of the former AutoCad block now contain a 3D component.

Fig. 16-14: The final model view, with components copied into blocks to create a quick 3D detailed site model.

ChaPter 17

Organizing AutoCAD

When you are working with AutoCAD files, your first step should be to reorganize the information so you can work with it efficiently in SketchUp. Your goal is to utilize SketchUp Process Modeling on an adjusted AutoCAD base file so that you can create a 3D model. This chapter uses the following general approach to reorganization: 1. Apply a comprehensive file and folder organization to convert efficiently from AutoCAD to SketchUp. 2. Identify information: linework, blocks, and associated layers. You will need them to create a usable Flatwork Base composed of surfaces and objects from the AutoCAD file. 3. Filter and remove any information that is not needed or that is redundant. 4. Organize the identified information onto new layers. 5. Use existing blocks or create new blocks to represent objects in the site plan.

To help follow along with the contents of this chapter, you will need to download four AutoCAD files from Wiley’s website. Go to www.wiley.com/go/sketchupforsites to download the following AutoCAD files:

Park Base Plan.dwg (the main AutoCAD file)

CS_Park_BaseFile.dwg (the completed file)

Flatwork.dwg (an AutoCAD insert file)

Objects.dwg (an AutoCAD insert file)