in what way should i model the walls?

[KGAP]

Hi, I am not actually qualified to answer your query as I am new to this too, but, I have had more success in modelling the building using single lines in the centre of walls.

I have traced round the architects plans in AutoCAD to create a very basic single plan then extruded the rooms or zones to the given heights and then imported the DWG into Sketchup and it works quite well.

I did try the separate room situation first (i.e., using wall thicknesses) but VE got confused with floor levels in that instance.

The best source of info I could find for the VE plug-in is actually the help button on the VE plug-in toolbar (highlighted in the screen shot) as it gives you some more info instead of the pdf available from the site.

Hope this helps..... and I hope I am going in the right direction too...!!

[PCully]

Hi,

You're right the current IES <VE> SketchUp plug-in will only be able to interpret a building modelled with "Thin Walls". We will soon be able to activate the "Thick Walls" feature but more details of this will be available later!!

For now you should draw a single surface to represent any walls, floors, ceilings etc. We usually advise to draw External walls on the outer surface and any inner partitions on the centreline.

This way when you add Inner Volumes the wall thickness can be represented accurately based on the outer surface location and the thickness of the Construction - further details available from the ModelIT User Guide.

As for documentation, the PDF and Help guide (accessible from Menu option Tools >>> IES >>> User Guide and Help button on toolbar) should both be quite useful to you.

Phil