More renderings

Renderings & Drawings

New direction for Arch design

from sddrawings.com

In this next part of Renderings & drawings, Sherrod Drawings has found fast and accurate renderings to be an integral part of architecture.  Before the pen hits the paper (or in our brave new world, the first ray is drawn on a blank digital canvas), we have to have an idea of the best way to go about drawing in 3D.  The entire process is far more complicated than just making a pretty picture or straight up 2D drawing.

I basically begin with the foundation in a group and draw up from there.  The model itself is always the base point, keeping as many pieces as possible as components for easy modification during and after client meetings.  There have DEF. been client meetings where we are designing on the fly and completely changing the direction the design is going to head on screen, during the meeting.  This is a far cry from the typical "This is what I came up with and this is what you are going to get" mentality.  A lot has to do with the climate of business in a busy beach town.

I want to stress that accuracy is of the utmost importance in my craft and my work. Something I will always continue to excel in, any problems in field always stem from changes made in field; except one instance a few years ago (2013) where extenuating circumstances caused a slight hiccup during construction, and I'll say the house still came out absolutely beautifully.  (For the record, 4 separate professionals should have all caught the computer error, my faux-pas for being so trusting).

Irregardless.... the end product of any CAD system and drawing mechanisms (which ever you choose to use) should be a beautiful useful end product.  Then comes the next fun part: renderings.  Renderings are life like visualizations of your product (in my case, architectural design).  Below, you will see two times of day, the first is a night scene with the house illuminated, probably for a dinner where the host is having a dinner party.  The next, is where the guests have obviously left all the lights on in the early morning hours.

Starr Sanford Architecture, Sherrod Drawings Technical & Artistry

Starr Sanford Architecture, Sherrod Drawings Technical & Artistry

I personally love the twilight scenes, getting to see the houses during those magical moments of the day when the light is just amazing.

All photographers know there are 2 hours a day... those magic hours when the sun is rising or setting, and the lighting is most dramatic and casts the best shadows.  SO in these renderings, what I can point out is my flaws.  Less flaws and more time constraints.  If you look at the trees on the left had side of the screen (background foliage), they are cut off and look irregular.  The palm trees are not high enough quality and the lighting is a little blown out in both renderings.  It's a trial process, using different plants, creating new ones in photoshop type software and importing into the 3D world. I also think the clouds in the dawn photo are flat and do not give off enough depth.

So to get these 2 renderings probably represent about 12 hours of time rendering, processing, rendering again, fixing mistakes, rendering and processing again.... It's a vicious cycle, though if you love it, the process and the end product, then it's nothing to keep at it.  Thanks Starr Sanford for using my services to help create another beautiful residence!

Renderings & Drawings

Renderings & Drawings

New direction for Arch design

from sddrawings.com

Renderings & drawings have been an integral part of architecture since we've been putting together log homes, and probably before that.  Now that we can design and plan for every conceivable notion a client may have... Designers and Architects find that they sometimes become more of an artists than a building planner.  Simply drawing what the client asks for while trying to gentle guide them towards good design choices and explaining why.

Today's submittal has been a fun contemporary piece in Florida.  The project starts out on a side street from a main thorough-fare.  There is a curve at the location of the main street that radiates a block into the side street, affecting all the lots where the original planner(s) and to disperse the curve before the land ends in the Atlantic.  This curve made this lot especially difficult to design for as it is more of a wedge shape and sub 8,000 sq ft.

Taking into account the small lot, we are also constrained to coverage one a certain percentage of the lot.  This is where my expertise really helped the Owners to understand how much house they were going to be able to build, and how their ideal changes would affect the lot coverage; meaning: Calculate lot percentage, then recalculating, then recalculating again.  At the end of the day, we have a great Courtyard home centered around the pool area.

If we break down the rendering, there are several items I may adjust to create a more appealing elevation.  One is the window glare, notice how there is hardly any reflection (okay, there is non at all).  Additionally, more light should come out of the house to cast shadows on the pool, which should also be illuminated.  Other lighting should be amped up (Pool patio) to show off the exterior better during this twilight scene.  The effect I have now is a darker "before the storm" affect, where additional lighting would create a "Someone is home" effect and a more welcoming environment.

Tardis Blue Prints

Police Call boxes

3rd printing submittal

from sddrawings.com

Art and prints are so much fun to work on.  There is a growing trend in digital art.  A lot has to do with the availability of high quality cameras as well as easy to manipulate those images easily.  Today's post/submittal has taken years in the making.  From an old school project, I have since modified these plans and got my first copyright (how exciting).

These are 18" x 24" 'Blue' Construction plans Version 3

The Metropolitan Police Telephone box (also known as a Tardis 

from the popular television show Dr. Who) was the successor to the old 

'watchbox' established in the London area early in the 19th Century. 

The first Police Telephone boxes were introduced into America in 1888. 

The earliest Police Box resembling Drawing G/A1 was erected in Newcastle 

in 1929. Originally built of wood, the design had changed to reinforced 

concrete, weighing in around two and one-half tons. 

Police Call Boxes, after which this design was drawn upon, were first 

built and placed in London in 1930. 

The cost was 43 L each, and by December 1953, there were 685 in existance. 

With the introduction of personal radio equipment, the Police Telephone 

Boxes were gradually phased out. 

This plan is nearly a full reproduction of the original plans used to build 

these icons of the past.

Design for an interior remodel project

New Project Moving along

Interior design remodel

Big pictures from sddrawings.com for a local Jax Beach home

Art in Architecture

Art in Architecture

Why drawing systems matter and what that means to all of us

Like so many of my associates, I have always felt that in Architecture, the labor of craftsmen should stem from a well thought through design. The design process itself should come from a carefully thought through plan and executed as a work of art.  So the entire process of getting something built can be a beautiful form, from start to finish.  Otherwise, what is the purpose of just throwing something out there as technical garbage to be built from.  If Designers & Architects expect something beautiful to come from their drawings, shouldn't beauty be built into their plans and design?  Is it really enough to just have a technical drawing in hopes to have a structure built?

Maybe I'm over romanticizing the idea that blueprints and construction drawings have always been a thing of beauty.  If I look at Jefferson's designs and blueprints, using the University of Virginia's design (as seen above); I could very well imagine this piece framed in my office. That is my intent and purpose during design, the entire process should be a worthwhile endeavor.

So, in order to follow through and produce a set of plans; I don't think it's enough to simply have ideas and not implement them.  They need to be put into action.  For years I've been adding fills to technical drawings to give them the appearance of the material they represent (learned under Architect Mouzon), I've since began to add shadows and color to roofing for my 2D drawings.

Take a look at the following house:

The Top picture is more representative of conventional technical drawings. Flat & Bland.

This bottom picture shows shadows & a fill applied to the following: The Ground, Windows & Roof, each more closely representing the material they are graphically representing, such as glass & shingle roofing.

Shadows come last, it's not an exact science, most "Art" isn't.  It's there to convey an idea and give a feeling.

There are further ways to graphically show material such as glass. Industry standards dictate a series of diagonal lines.  Though what is standard in Construction Drawings becomes too muddled to try and show everything exactly as standards dictate, giving the drawing a feeling of "busyness"  Combat this solid or greyed fills, such as seen in the windows above

For future projects, I am experimenting in another direction, leaving behind the world of 2D elevations and implementing 3D rendering from Sketchup PRO, and will begin using it for Construction Drawings.

Basically, my idea is to not even bother drawing flat 2D CAD elevations or building sections, since those are really there to tell a story. I'll draw it in all in sketch up, export it to DWG or DXF and do a take off for floor plans and Wall Sections.

It's not as robust as Revit, but it seems to be working out well. I'm still developing the ideas to implement them; clients love it, Contractor's seem in different.

I wanted to share all of this, because as a community, I think we can knock heads and build a more beautiful world. I also think Art should be brought back to the entire process of Architecture, which begins when you put pen to paper or hear the chimes of the MAC fire up.

Sddrawings.com

Sneak Preview

A Sneak Preview

After burning the midnight oil...

2d Cadd still is the best method of producing a quick and accurate set of plans.  Here is a client's house with a wing set at an angle.  For more unique designs, check out our projects after the jump.

sddrawings.com

The story of two hammers

Two different hammers,

Sometimes you're reminded how good that old hammer is...

Finally taking a step towards using AutoCad 2013 for Mac.  The juxtaposition between the CADD system (engsw.com) I am used to drawing with and the "industry leader" as two competing CADD packages shows noticeable differences.  I'm convinced if I were operating on a standard PC, the software would be much more robust.  Thus far, the Apple version of AutoCad leaves much to be desired.  I had no idea that you actually have to construct a door instead of having a dedicated tool palette.

The above graphic shows the same plan at different stages of

production on 2 separate CADD systems.

Furthermore, The Trim line function is nearly non existent without having to look up special "codes" to be typed in.  As I dig further into the inner workings of AutoCad, I see that one can get everything done with the same software I was raised up on, but it seems backwards and non-intuitive.  As if only special members of the club are invited.


As a "for Hire" Draftsman and Designer, I really have to make every hour count.  Maybe learning a new system will glean me more clients and help me to be more valuable and useful to the ones I have.  Here's to hoping so.  Through it all, I think using a new tool, that effectively drives the same nail into framing will be neat to use. It should get the job done, it's just that I know how to use one hammer over another with more in-depth knowledge.

Powercadd
Two screen shots showing the difference in tool pallets. You'll notice this screen shot, Powercadd (by engsw.com) has all the tools readily available.  Reminds me of the old Microstation CADD from the 80's.  Which featured a huge board with each tool right at your finger prints (you actually used a stylus).  One thing I really like about PC (powercadd) is how every single item from line weight to a specific function or tool is easily configurable as key commands.  Also built in are powerful informational tools and a developer who will actually take your emails and call you on a saturday morning to discuss your ideas and needs in a cadd package.  My only problem, text conversion can be an issue between this and other platforms.  You also lose fills, gradients and hatches when converting.  Though the native tools can help you to create an amazingly beautiful drawing.  I would say it is the premiere Apple compatible CADD system, even the late Mr. Jobs may approve of.

Autocad 2013 for Mac

Autocad 2013 for Mac, limited tools are readily available, and everything is more chunky. Requires memorizing specific tool commands.  This may be good for Architectural firms and drafting shops that need people to operate a system that is already configured for use. I understand Autocad has some good features, it wouldn't be the Q-Tip to the Great cotton swab industry if it didn't offer a way to get the job done.  It seems to lack any kind of shading and intuitive use.  Drawings look clear and crisp like Powercadd, though very technical.

Regardless of what system you use, branching out and trying something new is always good.  Then sometimes you realize how good you already have it. Any Cad package is essentially a hammer used to drive a nail into a wall.  It's the final design and attention to detail coupled with the ability to listen and help guide Owners in building, that make a designer worth while.

sddrawings.com

Lake House / Hunting Cabin

Lake House / Hunt Camp,

A sweet little design...

See a newer Cabin Plan here

• 2 bed / 2 bath
• Sleeping Loft / Play Area
• Loft over looks Great Room Below
• Master Bedroom has full bath, shower, tub & walk-in closet
• Full Kitchen open to Dining Room

2d version here

3d version here

sddrawings.com

 

Weeee, fun for grownups, red brick house 3d Model

Weeee, renovated the site and found a bunch of OLD 3D models for client's houses

http://www.sddrawings.com/index.php?page=3dredbrick

Sketchup

Really enjoying Google Sketchup

Sneak Preview & Playing with Shading on a not completed elevation

Don't ask where the door is... this is a work in progress & a Sneak Preview of Playing with Shading on a not completed elevation.

check out sddrawings.com for more

How to deal with learning a new drafting style?...

Another week: Keeping with drafting techniques for the beginner. Again, another post about keeping to the basics, keeping it simple, and keeping it accurate. I hope that even these ideas can be used in what ever job you may go into, whether it is design, pet sitting, auto mechanics...

"Just a simple
notebook is enough"

      Learning anything new requires your time and attention.  When you are taking the jump from your high school, trade school or Architecture/Engineering program to head into the commercial world of drafting and design, it is going to be very important to be prepared and ready to learn.  Even if you have worked for a Designer before and you are going to another office, you have a daunting task of either re-learning a good portion of your trade, or a new way to go about it.  Each office will have their own standards and requirements for their drawings.  There are some basic fundamentals to help you get acclimated quickly to your new surroundings.  Aside from the basics I've already covered in previous posts like: show up, be on time, be in good spirit.  You will want to take notes. Notes, take a lot of notes.  You have been educated, that's why you have a job, though certainly you know how to take notes by now.  You have enough knowledge that someone has decided to put their trust in you to help them make their life easier.  So get a notebook and dedicate it to JUST that designer's system.  Purchase a good notebook and a pen.  You are a professional, this is part of your job.  Practice good handwriting skills and keep your notes in order. Hopefully you will actually be able to use them later.

     There will be a lot of things you have either already learned or will learn that works across the board. For instance, Layers are in all CAD systems; Autocad, Powercadd and Microstation (just to name three).  Things you will not find across the board is individual drawing styles between designers.  Some may use a "profile line" layer, some may use an intricate title block and so on. Regardless of what the topic is about during your training or meetings about your project, take notes of what the Designer (or co-workers) you work for explain.  During meetings, when reviewing your drawings or just another set of prints you will have ample opportunity to take notes.  This notebook will be your drafting "bible" while you work there.  Look for opportunities to fill your notebook.  It may be drafting styles, it may be standard practices.  Consider having a section in your notebook to differentiate between the myriad of different topics for optimal organization.

      Practice makes perfect, once you get into the rhythm of drafting for one Designer, you will learn the system and hopefully become very versed in production & design work that suits your environment.  While you are with one designer, one way you can meet their expectations is to use their past jobs as reference.  If you're on a CAD system, you can have other jobs similar to the one your working on available on the screen.  It's easy to jump back and forth between the two separate jobs.  Alternately, print out a ledger size drawing for reference or use a full size printed version of another job available to reference while you are drafting on your project.  Make it easy to jump back and forth between the two drawings, the goal is to mimic what has been done before, so make it easy on yourself.  The more you draft for one designer, the more you will understand their system and style.  Ask lots of questions.  Think about your questions, write them all down and at the opportune time, ask the Designer to look them over and give you feedback.  A good reason to write down your questions is that you will not bombard the designer (or trainer if you're just learning CADD) with a million small nit-pick questions. Obviously, they want you to know the answers to your questions, but make it easy on them and thusly yourself.  Think if you were in their shoes.  How would you want to be treated and approached?  There really is no such thing as a dumb question, sometimes it's just how you go about it.

Happy Trails!

sddrawings.com