Before we begin

Make sure you have the SketchUp plugin installed. The example drawings used in this tutorial can be downloaded here:

Icon SketchuRATE example floor plans (137.6 KB) .

This tutorial assumes you have a working knowledge of how to use SketchUp, and focuses on how to use SketchUp so that it is compatible with the SketchuRATE plugin. For some great tutorials on how to use SketchUp go here.

Note: We are having a few teething issues with SketchuRATE running on the Mac version of SketchUp - turns out SketchUp is not as cross-platform as it is made out to be. We recommend using SketchUp for Windows, or use the Mac workarounds.

SketchuRATE Tutorial

  1. The first thing you need to do is to create the floorplan of your building in SketchUp. You can do this any number of ways - import a DWG, trace over a PDF or JPG, or print the drawings out and measure and enter the data into SketchUp.
  2. A SketchUp model for use with SketchuRATE does not need a lot of detail; in fact too much detail will mean the plugin won't work. The key elements you need in a SketchuRATE model are:
    • Fully enclosed zones (eg. floor, walls, ceiling and/or roof) modelled as Groups and named accordingly using the Outliner
    • External doors and windows assigned with SketchuRATE materials
    • There's no need to model internal openings (you will enter these in AccuRATE)
    • We recommend modelling to the nearest 100mm (eg. 90mm would become 100mm, 1950mm would be 2000mm). The CHEENATH thermal analysis engine uses metres and rounds all measurements to one decimal place.
    • Currently the SketchuRATE plugin does not process shading elements, external screens or wing walls. You will need to enter this in AccuRATE.
  3. Let's draw a simple, four zone model in SketchUp. Start with the Living zone. Draw a rectangle with the dimensions 8000 x 7300, and then push/pull it to a height of 2400mm. Group this zone and use the Outliner to name it as Living. Note: assume that North aligns with the positive Y axis (the green axes in SketchUp).

  4. Model the remaining zones show in the example floor plan. Don't forget to group and name each group with its corresponding zone name. To ensure accuracy, allow for the thickness of the internal wall between each zone (100mm in this example).
  5. Using the dimensions shown in the plans and elevations, model the doors and windows for each zone. To do this, select and then double-click on a zone - this allows you to edit the individual planes that make up the zone geometry. Draw the door and window opening directly into the external wall of the zone. Use temporary lines to help you.
  6. After you have drawn a window, use the Windows > Materials palette to assign a transparent material to the window opening. For doors or solid panel openings, just assign a different colour to the walls.
  7. To model the hip roof, draw the outline of the roof in plan (including the eaves overhang), and then use the Tools > Follow Me tool to create the overall geometry of the roof. Delete any unnecessary lines and planes, and model any bits that are missing. Don't forget to group the geometry (call it Roofspace).
  8. You've now completed a simple SketchuRATE compatible model - well done! Let's move on to Part 2...