3-D Modeling

I'm working on a project now that really needs some 3-D modeling, because it's on a steep up-slope.  I can imagine the various levels as I work through the design, but I'd like to be able to show the masses and scales easily to someone else.  In the past, we would make a cardboard model, but that gets pretty time-consuming.  That's not a problem when in school, but working for a client with a particular design budget, time is of the essence.

So, now I'm taking a lot of un-billable time to learn some computer modeling programs - Google Sketchup and Revit.  Both are a real challenge, but I can see the benefit.  I should have bitten the bullet on this long ago, but I'm a bit of a "luddite."  I really much prefer drafting by hand than spending so much of my time on the computer.

We'll see how it all ends.  Presently, I am totally frustrated with Revit and am switching to Sketchup.  This is a pretty limited program, but I think that's what I need, to start.

So much of this project will be underground, it helps to see it in 3-D as I work on it.  Wish me luck!