Exploring digital design workflows with Torrens University students

BuildingPoint recently joined Torrens University’s Billy Blue College of Design for a hands-on demonstration exploring digital design workflows, and how reality capture and SketchUp are being used across the design and construction industries. The session gave students practical exposure to design workflows commonly used by professionals to capture, model and visualise existing spaces.

Torrens Uni X9 Scanner

Access to industry tools and technologies is becoming increasingly important for students entering the design profession. Through an ongoing collaboration with Torrens University, Billy Blue College of Design students receive discounted SketchUp subscriptions during their studies. Graduates can also access discounted subscriptions as they transition into professional practice.

Billy Blue College of Design offers programmes across a range of creative disciplines, including interior design, architectural design, 3D design and animation, where digital modelling and visualisation form an important part of the design process.

Connecting students with real-world digital design workflows

As part of Torrens University’s employability week, BuildingPoint representatives Ben Hobart, Peter Foldes and Kesh Kiritharan visited the university’s Sydney campus to demonstrate the scan-to-SketchUp workflow, showing how 3D scan data can be brought directly into SketchUp for modelling.

The two-day session provided students with an opportunity to see how technologies used in professional environments support modern digital design workflows, from site capture through to digital modelling.

The first session introduced students to 3D laser scanning technology, with Kesh demonstrating the capabilities of the Trimble X9 scanner and Trimble SiteVision. Students were able to see how a physical environment could be captured digitally and viewed in real time.

“It was the first time a lot of students had seen the technology,” said Ben Hobart. “Seeing the scan data appear on screen created a genuine moment of excitement and curiosity.”

The session also encouraged discussion around possible applications for reality capture, including documenting existing and heritage buildings where traditional measurement methods can be challenging.

“Some of the conversations were really interesting,” said Ben. “There was discussion around how this type of technology could be used for heritage documentation, particularly where buildings have complex ornamentation that can be difficult to capture manually.”

Ben, Peter, Kesh showing design workflows with X9 at Torrens

Kesh Showcasing Design workflow with Trimble X9 at Torrens Uni

Design workflows from reality capture to digital model

In the second session, students used captured scan data in SketchUp to create digital models.

Using data collected during the scanning demonstration, BuildingPoint showed students how to import point clouds into SketchUp. Students then used the data as a reference for creating digital models. Through SketchUp Scan Essentials, users can import, view and work with point cloud data directly within SketchUp, helping connect reality capture workflows with 3D modelling.

The workflow demonstrated how reality capture technologies can streamline digital design workflows by connecting existing conditions with digital modelling tools.

“It was good for students to see the complete workflow – from scanning a space through to bringing that information into SketchUp,” said Ben. “It helped demonstrate how different technologies can work together within a design process.”

Supporting future designers through industry engagement

The demonstration formed part of ongoing engagement between BuildingPoint and Torrens University, with further opportunities to connect students with industry technologies and workflows being explored.

By exposing students to real-world digital design workflows, initiatives like this help bridge the gap between education and professional practice.

BuildingPoint continues to work with education providers and industry partners to help connect emerging designers with the technologies shaping the future of design.

Buildingpoint x Torrens University X9 Design Workflow

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