"Leon" wrote in message
...
So yes, one can build a house with SU, but will it be a better house?

Not necessirilly better or worse as the same goes for AutoCAD or the like
software.
The more in tune with the software you are the better the results of the
plans.

Ultimately, it's you not the pencil that creates the design, but the better
pencil has to fit into that cycle somewhere. If it help shorten or hone each
creative iteration more finely, it's a better pencil.

I think the point to designing suitable plans for building a house using
Sketchup is simply that Sketchup is quite capable of fulfilling this need.

Ironically, I find SU best for the other end of the work. Start with a blank
"sheet", slap in the topography from Google Earth, and have at it. Or start
with the bare, empty room, and block in the new cabinet. It isn't until you
get down to detailing out your ideas that you run into its, ummm,
limitations.

More expensive programs that will do the same are simply more expensive
programs that do the same.

Depends on which other program, of course. With some, you do get something
for the extra money. But none are as friendly as SU for the quick blocking
in and massing studies. We'll just have to agree to disagree on its
usefulness on its suitability for detailing.