Planning Software

[hex]

I'm wondering if any of you all have used computer software to help plan your large tanks / equipment rooms.

I've started playing with some floorplan programs but they're obviously not made with the reef hobby in mind.

 

[cyberdude47]

I used google sketchup to plan my system
worked awesome

 

[xenon]

Not exactly a simple program to use.

Anything else?

 

[hex]

I tried using turbocad but quickly got confused. Does anyone have completed project files they'd be willing to share?

 

[gws294]

I use sketchup for the room layout, and this helps to plan things in 3-d. It is really very easy once you have a little time under your belt. As for a schematic-type of design, Microsoft Visio is great. Drop and drag. I'm just getting ready to start my own build thread, but I will attempt to put a link to a pdf file to show you a sample..


I think the bottom line is to put some time in practicing on a program, and then use one that you are comfortable with. Good Luck.

Geoff

 

[gws294]

This is a rather complicated layout, but it includes all return plumbing, all drain plumbing, all accessory plumbing, and all electrical outlets required ( color coded by function) . This program really does a great job and is easy to use...

Geoff

Sorry, this was done using MS Visio

[/IMG]

 

[gws294]

Here is a sample of the 3D capabilities of Sketch Up... Nice program and best of all, it's free. Just google it and download. This has really helped me to plan and visualize the layout of my new system. Give it a try, I think you'll like it.

Geoff

[/IMG]

 

[hex]

Wow Geoff -- these images are amazing. I can't even imagine how much time you must have put into them. This was exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to find when I started this thread.

Ikea has a 3d kitchen planner where all of their products are already drawn to scale so you can mix and match and place items anywhere in the room to see how they fit together. Someone really should do something like that for the aquarium industry with different tank sizes and pre-drawn equipment.

I downloaded google sketchup and am eager to give it a try. I also own Visio and I like what you did with the master plan.

Would you be willing to share source files either publicly or privately?

 

[gws294]

hex,

Thanks for the feedback. I really did spend a lot of time messing around with this stuff.... (I had to wait for final approval from the Mrs to get started... That's what took a while.) I've finally started the welding of the steel stands for everything, so I guess I've officially started my build.

RE: Sharing source files... I'm not sure what you mean... All of the items in the schematic are just shapes from the Basic folder in Visio. They were resized, and that's about it. However, if you feel as though the working files would be helpful, I'd be happy to share them. PM me with your email, and I'll send them to you.

I'll be posting them on a build thread soon and am anxious to get some feed back as to the overall design. It seems as though everytime I sit down and look as things carefully, I find something else that I have forgotten.

Let me know if I can be of any help.

Geoff

 

[gws294]

PM received, Email sent.