Bus Design & Layout Tool

[bryanhes]

I know there are several us that are early into our conversions. I had started to draw things out on paper but did not like that I had no real depth. I was shown this free program by an Architect I work with and have been using it since. It is a great tool to see what your finished product would look like and gives you a little more motivation when you can see what your end result could be  .

This is a 3D rendition of my 4905 conversion. I have several different layouts designed for the kitchen area (with and without a booth). I still have allot left to do but am getting closer.

Also this is basically to scale on my bus. Which will greatly determine your actual space.

Here is the link to the download: http://sketchup.google.com/
It is a free download and can be used for many things including designing all your system.

Here is what mine looks like as of today.


HTH,
Bryan

[James77MCI8]

Nice.Thanks!

[Busted Knuckle]

Kwel, think they have a model for a Setra?
  BK 

[bryanhes]

Bryce,

You can draw any model you like. I have drawn everything from scratch in this model with the exception of the sofa and captains chair. Even my baggage compartments are to scale so I can determine what will fit (thanks to JLV I have the compartment dimensions without having to drive to the storage to measure in the cold ). You can bring items into your design by simply downloading them to your model from there list that other people have drawn. Basically you take all the dimensions of your bus and draw it to scale. The cool thing about it is the three dimensional view.

If you download the program I can email you what I have done and you will be able to view it, make alterations and flip it around to see it from any angle.

Bryan

[James77MCI8]

I just downloaded the program.

[bryanhes]

James,

I will email you my drawing. When you open it you will be able to rotate the model and make any changes you like. With your 8 you might be able to make some slight adjustments to the wall height and square off the ceiling and use the shell for your own design. It would save you hours of drawing 

Bryan

[Chaz]

Hey Steve (5B),
  Did you see this?? Looks like it might help ya in designing. I'm not smart enough to use it but you probably are. I do like to draw tho. 
  How's yours coming??
   Later ,
     Chaz

[JBerg85]

Do you still have the sketch file that I could use?

[bryanhes]

Pretty sure I still have it. Will check the laptop when I get home this evening.

Bryan

[TomC]

As many will tell you, drawing or using CAD is only a guide. Once into the guts of conversion, there are many obstacles that will change your floor plan a little bit here and a little bit there.  Many unforeseen things pop up-as simple as a cross member in the way, or having to move the toilet to better line up the black tank, or ? Personally still like to hand draw out my blue prints.  Course having a drafting machine (two arm L that stays parallel with the edge of the table no matter where it's moved) that I inherited from my Dad helps (still works from when he bought it through Douglas Aircraft in the '40's).  Then you can just simply erase and correct.  Good Luck, TomC

[Fred Mc]

Just a comment on your booth. Originally we put in a booth zand it was horrible. Uncomfortable, cramped, takes up too much room etc. So after 20 year we tore it out and put in a small drop leaf table and 2 chairs. WOW.

Of course, if you have more than 2 it may not be practical. But I would think long and hard about it.

[bryanhes]

I just emailed the file to you guys that wanted it. Once you figure out the program tools it gets pretty easy to modify the layout. You might double check measurements throughout your bus if you are going to use this as a layout option. I bear no responsibility for accuracy of your build, lol! 

Hope it helps,

Bryan