Mass Models

One of the most interesting aspects of architectural practice is the opportunity to explore and present ideas in three dimensions. There have been many tools to do this, with different capabilities including Autocad and Form-Z, and modified animation tools such as VIZ. Other tools have been created that combine technical data with the 3D model to create a full building information system such as Revit. These tools are very powerful and helpful for professionals that can leverage the time investment and data to learn and use them.

The problem with these tools is that they are all have a learning curve that ranges from days to weeks to be used with competence and much longer to achieve mastery. A few years ago a new tool was introduced, SketchUp, that can be picked up in minutes and brought to competency in mere hours. It does this by being intuitive to use, graphically responsive, and just plain fun!

Why am I blogging about this? Because recently google bought SketchUp, and a personal edition is now free! It doesn't support some of the professional model export, terrain, and rendering options, but the basic modelling tools are identical. So, if you ever wanted to play around with a true free-form powerful but simple modeling environment, head on over to the download page and give it a look.

Me, One Year Later

It was more than a year ago that I decided it was worth trying to blog. My intent was to begin building a little content and then think about how to publicize it. I never did figure out what I was up to and after two little posts it languished. Apparently, it didn't quite die though.

Why am I back? Well a friend encouraged the idea. The conversation went something like this:
"Pardon me if I ramble on a bit."
"You should get a blog, that way you can ramble on and we all can respond."
"I've tried before, but I wasn't sure what to put out there with my name on it."
"You don't have to use your name."
"No, but if I don't want folks to know it is me saying it, I probably shouldn't be publishing it. "
"Touche."

So, with that little dialogue I seem to have made up my mind. This blog is a place for me to wax philosophical and exchange thoughts with friends around the world. It isn't a place where I'll go to rant or vent about the little thorns that life pricks you with.

So, who am I?
My name is Brian. I'm an architect. I live in north central Vermont. I am married to a wonderful wife. We have a dog, two cats, and a turtle. I love board, card and social games of all types. I'm trying to relearn what I once knew about playing the piano. I watch hockey in the winter and participate in outdoor activities in the summer. I pay a little more attention to politics than many, but try not to get too drawn in.

Welcome!