Should I draw the plot first or the house?

[TravelingMan]

I want to design a small house on an 18mtr x 32mtr block, oriented NNW, I would like to draw the plan in its correct orientation, to help with solar passive design features.

Should I draw the whole block first and then add the house or do the house and then expand around it?

This will be a design from the ground up, no images for use etc.

TIA

[bdfd]

I want to design a small house on an 18mtr x 32mtr block, oriented NNW, I would like to draw the plan in its correct orientation, to help with solar passive design features.
Should I draw the whole block first and then add the house or do the house and then expand around it?
This will be a design from the ground up, no images for use etc.
TIA

You are free to do that you want... [:D]

[hansmex]

...but I would always to draw the plot first

[TravelingMan]

So is it like gimp, where you can draw on different layers and stack them, or doing the whole plot, textured grass, then drawing the house with suitable flooring etc, simply overly the plot textures?

[bdfd]

So is it like gimp, where you can draw on different layers and stack them, or doing the whole plot, textured grass, then drawing the house with suitable flooring etc, simply overly the plot textures?

The twice ! [;)]
So it's like a lego game. [:)]
You choose the ground, after the bricks for the walls, ...

Layer in sh3d is named level (to separate the height, example: cellar, first level, 1st floor, roof, ...) but it's an option.

The best of that is the practice. [;)]

[:)]

[Ceciliabr]

@TravelingMan

So is it like gimp, where you can draw on different layers and stack them, or doing the whole plot, textured grass, then drawing the house with suitable flooring etc, simply overly the plot textures?

Yes – more or less – except that it's 3D and has a z-axis.
If you want your terrain to accurately represent a specific geographical place, you should create the ground first, and on it's own layer.
For a serious project it's always smart to keep different sort of elements on separate layers : Walls, windows and doors on one layer, rooms ( with or without ceilings) on another layer, and furniture and paraphernalia on yet another layer. Light sources should also have their own layer.
Create your layers by using the "Add level at same elevation"-option that appears when right-clicking in the project window (unless of course if you want a layer on an elevated level).

The advantage of using layers (like in Gimp) is that you can hide the layers you are not working on. That's a great advantage if your project should gain weight and become slow to handle.

Things like grass and shrubbery and other elements belonging to the surroundings, are best left until the rest is done. Be aware that it's possible to create layers beneath the zero level. Elevation will accept negative figures down to minus ten meters.

Good luck!

Cec

[Bubblobill]

+1, I always go with the plot first.
Be aware that the compass rose can be modified. This means you can layout everything as a nice orthogonal plan then adjust the compass to accommodate correct sun position.

[okh]

..plot first...

Pretty unanimous [:)] And on a separate level. As Cec says, useful to hide. And if you get carried away and put too much on the terrain level, you could even keep that level in a separate file to copy-paste later for rendering and/or use simpler models first. ok