Connections: Issue One, 2016

Page 19

to two hours and maybe, instead of doing one quote in a day, you could do three or four? Wouldn’t that lead to more jobs?

A NEW WAY OF PREPARING DESIGNS FOR A QUOTE: ●

Visit the site and take sufficient measurements to determine the size of the sail required and any obstacles you may need to clear/avoid – 30 minutes. Create two or three design options in software such as MPanel Shade Designer (MPSD), which produces full 3D models, so the elevations are all done – five minutes. In SketchUp (the free 3D modelling software) ‘Add Location’, which provides an aerial image of the site – one minute. Import sail designs into SketchUp and orient the on-site image – less than five minutes for simple images such as this example, or you could spend more time to include more detail such as play equipment and trees etc (for an example of a more detailed design proposal with multiple sails check out https://youtu.be/rNySCK1nY3g). Prepare shadow analysis for each design (four times per day on three dates = 12 images per design = total 36 images). This can be done as simple screen captures with the results inserted into a previously prepared Word or Pages template. Total 30 minutes. Alternatively, if you decide SketchUp works for you, you could then purchase the Pro version, which includes Layout allowing you to build intelligent templates. This should reduce the time to prepare your show report to about three minutes. And for the icing on the cake, how about a quick video that you can share over YouTube – this will help the school to better communicate its plans with other stakeholders/ funding sources and further seal your brand on the project (https://youtu.be/ KKoakn0vl3o). C

Structureflex provides design and engineering services for all forms of fabric structures. We also supply and support MPanel – Europe’s leading fabric design and engineering software suites (www.structureflex.com.au).

www.specialisedtextiles.com.au

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Summer 2016 CONNECTIONS

3/02/16 4:12 PM


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