Rubysketch

After 10 years out of Building Design, I came back to find 3D a big part of the process. I found PlusSpec back in 2015 and loved the look of it, it seemed much simpler than Revit (which I did my Diploma on) and the price was much better too, so I gave it a go. I am a draftie from way back so I still like to use my old drawing and Autocad skills, but I find I love to import my Autocad plans to PlusSpec and then draw a quick 3D for my clients to visualise the end result. I have to say, if there were any doubts in their minds before this, they are gone once they see my 3D pictures and walk throughs. They love it and sign the dotted line very soon after. I couldn't be happier with the program and as I create each new home I am getting a little better each time.

RubySketch's PlusSpec application for SketchUp is a great match for those doing Architectural Design, Structural Design, and also need to quantify a project's material and costings requirements (aka BIM) using 3D software; especially for those who want to avoid software whose initial purchase and update/maintenance costs and inherently LONGER learning curves can be significant. It is a viable alternative to Revit or Archicad. It is also a super tool for creating general purpose Artwork .PlusSpec, like other BIM products, forces a disciplined approach to 3D design/modeling. Additionally, it provides access to extensive 3D libraries of standard products from cabinetry to furniture to bathroom sinks, many of which have BIM parametric geometry and user defined costing capabilities and material libraries for providing realistic renderings. PlusSpec has a large community of construction, design, and presentation professionals.PlusSpec's drawing and quantification tools provide an ORGANIZED APPROACH which automatically generates appropriate SketchUp Geometry, Layers, and Scenes so that the designer/non-designer can easily share project information and visualization with clients and easily provide Take-Off reports. PlusSpec designed models which, when imported into SketchUp Pro's LAYOUT, can be used to create construction documents, marketing collateral, presentations (no need for PowerPower), and photo-realistic renderings. SketchUp models are shareable with other industry standard applications as well.The design and documentation of a project is not a static process. PlusSpec equates to keeping The-Cost-of-Change" down with faster turnaround times.PlusSpec is a reliable and cost-effective alternative which can take the pain out of modeling and generating BIM data.I would encourage reviewing the informative online videos and downloading a free trial version of PlusSpec and giving it a try. Don't miss RubySketch/PlusSpec blogs

What an awesome product!! My builder uses SketchUp with PlusSpec3D to develop design concepts with his customers. So entering into the daunting world of building my own custom how was made so simple using the SkethUp platform with PlusSpec 3D. It was easy and intuitive to use, allowed me to play with all the textures and features to work with my builder on finalizing the design.

I have been using SketchUp for a few years and had learned of PlusSpec a couple years back. I was looking for an application that would enable me to develop overview and detailed models (residential homes) obtain detailed material take-offs from that model and print 3D and 2D drawings. PlusSpec made these activities not only possible, but fun and efficient. I've been using PlusSpec for a few months and it is everything and more that I was hoping it would be. Their customer support is top notch, very helpful and friendly. Great folks with a great product!

PlusSpec has been the core architectural drafting tool at my practice since 2015.What I really like about PlusSpec is that it turns the powerfiul and intuitive Sketchup into a fully equiped BIM tool, complete with acurate geometry modelling, geo-location, quantity reporting, and drafting solution.PlusSpec within Sketchup allows me to communicate with all the stakeholders in designing buildings in such a powerful and flexible way that I have not found in other software. Clients get to see their vision come to life as we navigate in a fully virtually built model. Builders and engineers, can interogarte the structural design as if it is already built, or more importantly as if it is being built, so you can see problem areas before they arise onsite. Documentation created from the models creates beautiful and accurate plans, elevations, sections, and perspectives.Generally a project for me starts at the geolocated conceptual massing stage, and as the design starts to take shape I introduce more and more PlusSpec generated modelling. PlusSpec has no problem with working with other design tools, or even just the generic Sketchup tools, so if I just want to draw a box quickly to represent some future object or maybe the exisitng shape of a building and test shadows, or some other aspect, I just go ahead and do it. PlusSpec doesnt care. If I want to quantify that box, well thats easy too, I can easily tell plusSpec to note that this object has such and such a cost even though i used another tool to create it.Like most software there is always improvements to be made, which is why I appreciate that PlusSpec is not resting on its laurels, and continues to improve existing tools, and develop new functionalities in this software.John HowlandJWHIDA design lab

My company have been using PlusSpec for 12 months. We picked up the majority of PlusSpec quickly without too much help, yet when we needed help it was there for us in various forms: One on One training, built in videos and support. Andrew and Drew is also very supportive in the sence of making requested and supportive videos specially made for problems I have had, and the do it fast. I am very pleased with PlusSpec and my business is delivering real results.

We love using PlusSpec for our nonprofit. Sketchup is a great software for us but we find it lacking in so many ways! PlusSpec has allowed us to bridge the gap between what Sketchup can offer us and what a traditional BIM software like Revit or ArchiCad has.

Hi there,I've recently purchased Plus Spec after being refereed by a fellow builder. I'm amazed at how easily I picked up the parametric drawing functionality, as I'm not the most proficient with computers let alone competing BIM/3D drawing software. The Youtube tutorials have been a great resource for me to learn the program at my own pace with a fantastic support line as a fail safe if I'm stumped.I cannot recommend Plus Spec enough, its really changed the way I operate as a builder.CheersHeatonHKW Constructions

I'm not at all surprised to see 5 star reviews of PlusSpec.I've been using it since it was first released and thought at the time it had revolutionized BIM modelling with the use of a great tool like SketchUp.Since then and with every update, new functions, a cleaner and more seamless UI and the PlusSpec teams willingness to listen to their users assure me that there is no other program that I need...If you're not using PlusSpec, you're not getting the best out of your day.Well done guys.

I am a soon-to-be registered architect, and I am an intermediate/advanced Revit user, and an intermediate ArchiCad user. I use these programs on a daily basis.However, I have been 100% converted to PlusSpec. PlusSpec will change your life! It is revolutionary - and it has turned SketchUp into a beast! If you are an architect, designer, builder, engineer, estimator, or simply like to tinker - do yourself a favour and download the trial (and watch the tutorials).Revit (Autodesk), ArchiCad, Bentley (and all of the others), should be shaking in their boots! I take my hat off to the PlusSpec team. Go to the PlusSpec forum and leave a comment. I have never seen a company that is so interested and proactive in what their community has to say.It is for these reasons that I am proud to say that in 2015, I will become part of the PlusSpec team.The potential of this software is mind blowing!