Montpillard.com » PC

SketchUp Plans – Available to all

Lee — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:05:03 +0000

As promised here is the Google SketchUp model for you to play with.

The model is the first bit of work we have from David who took the previous contractors ArchiCAD drawings and converted it for us so that we could pan around the property and get some sizes etc etc . In time we will of course release the autoCAD files so you can rip the building apart and redesign the interior until your heart is content.

The idea in the long run is to open the plans up to everyone and run a competition with a cash prize to the design that works the most for us and we’ll then build the house accordingly( submissions will have to be practical people ) .

You already know we are huge fans of the power of the internet and the talent that lays at the other side of the computer screen and we want to tap into that and use the collective creative juices that are out there.

Here is a simple video I captured so you can see the model :

Google SketchUp
The model is in Google SketchUp format.
You can download SketchUp (standard ) FREE for Mac & PC HERE .

Download The Model
The file is 4,1Mb zipped and comes out to 12Mb+ when unzipped.
You can download the model by clicking HERE

Your rights of use ( please read )
We are releasing this model under the CREATIVE COMMONS rights management. The copyright we are releasing this under is BY-NC which basically means :

This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

So you are free to change the model, release your shared work but not for any commercial gain. We have given this to the community for free and insist this is carried on.

AOB
If you have any problems, questions or comments please feel free to use the comments section below or get in contact with us through the site.

The PodCast is coming!

Lee — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:53:31 +0000

Like many things we will be doing on the renovation it might be easier to explain to you or show you what we are doing rather than just write about it.

To that end Dawn & I are going to be giving podcasting a go shortly to bring you bang up to date with everything that happened before we started the blog so you get to understand how and why we started this blog.

The main things that’ll be in Episode 1 will be how we found this house (our 2nd choice) and the explanation of the somewhat lengthy process of getting a mortgage from both a French and English source.

Upcoming episode to be expected are:

Solar – is it really worth it?
Understanding French planning regulations
Meet the architect
Have Wind?

So you can see we’ve got a lot of bits planned it’s just finding time to put them together while doing the day job and the renovation.

It’s going to take us a short while to put it together but we are looking for this to be a regular release to compliment the site.

Keep tuned

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iPhone App Review – French Apps

Lee — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:49:34 +0000

Now here is something that all of us should never be without and that’s a French translator.
As with all these things no two (or three) programs are created equally so here is a review on the three apps that are currently available as of 13th August 2008.

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Name: Talking French Phrasebook
Cost: Free
Link: Here
Review: This was the first and only French app I have stayed with. For the grand price of FREE this application will allow you do have basic conversations and will show you the spelling in English & French but the best thing here is you then just push the speaker icon and it’ll say it for you… EXCELLENT

Pros: FREE ( did we mention that )
Cons: Limited amount of words and phrases but it’s FREE

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Name: Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
Cost: £5.99
Link: Here
Review: With 600 phrases this is a very strong addition to anyone French speakers armoury. Some users have found the quality of the sound to be poor but we didn’t have that issue. Worthy upgrade to the Talking French Phrase book application after you’ve exhausted the free app.

Pros: Good solid application with a wide range of phrases.
Cons: Phrases are very “run of the mill” don’t expect too many renovation phrases.

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Name: iLingo French
Cost: £5.99
Link: Here
Review: We haven’t purchased this application as we were put off by the poor reviews in the app store with “Don’t buy this” always being a sign of a weak app. In fact you’ll find people referring you to Talking French Phrasebook (1st app on this page) .

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