In today’s “Spotlight”, The Daily CatchUp has interviewed Goh Chun Hee, author of 1001bit tools

TDC: Please remind us about 1001bit tools. What is it?

Goh: 1001bit tools is a collection of ruby plugins for Google Sketchup dedicated for architectural works.

My idea of an ideal design process is to start designing spaces and forms in 3d, visualize, modify and improve the model in 3d, then finally produce working drawings straight from the 3d model. In the real world, the sketch design, working drawings and presentations are often separated processes because building 3d models, even conceptual ones had been difficult and time consuming.

When I first saw Google Sketchup few years ago, i was totally overwhelmed. With Sketchup, we can now build and modify 3d models fast, easily and accurately. Sketchup provided the platform on which designing in 3d is now possible. However, to bridge the gap between concept design and shop drawings, we need tools to build architectural elements fast, correctly, easily, and with sufficient level of details. While SU is ideal for architectural works, it is not a dedicated architectural software. Sketchup does not come with tools that is unique for architectural works. This is where 1001bit tools fit in. 1001bit tools comes with a lot of specialized ruby scripts to generate architectural components within few mouse clicks.

TDC: Could you elaborate on some of these tools inside 1001bit tools?

Goh: Inside 1001bit tools, you’ll find tools to create staircases, spiral staircases, escalators, windows, doors, louvres etc.

In addition to these, there are tools to automatically generate roof rafters, and tools that automatically creates hip roofs from complex shapes.
There are also editing and drawing tools like fillet, chamfer, extend, and tools that cut horizontal groove lines on complex surfaces.

TDC: Is 1001bit tools available in languages other than English?

Goh: Yes. 1001bit tools comes with a language pack. And thanks to the contributions from so many of our users, 1001bit tools is now available in French, German, Russian, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified).

TDC: What are your future plans for 1001bit tools?

Goh: I am constantly adding more tools to make 1001bit tools better. The latest addition is a revolved surface tool with a scaling option. I’ll be adding more surface tools in the future.

TDC: How do users get notified on updates?

Goh: Visit our website (www.1001bit.com) more often to download upgrades. There is also a discussion thread on Sketchucation forums
I am really grateful to Sketchucation because the forum has played a crucial part in the spreading of 1001bit tools.