Done, Joe, I thank you!

Hi Larry, Only Admins can change usernames so drop me a PM with the name you wish to use and I1ll do it for you and email when done (make sure not to trash email accounts from "sketchucation").

Do you want to be able t do realtime lighting or just static images? If its jsut static images: have a look at kerkythea and indigo. They are both very good render engines that can produce very high quality work. If you want real time i think your best bet would be lightup (i tihnk the site is down at the moment, not sure when it's going to be back up.) It's very good for giving an idea of how lighting will work in an interior and exterior. Bear in mind it is currently in beta.

Double clicking on a component will allow you to edit it. See if the stud inside is another component or group - you can further edit these nested components, too. Once within its context, the geometry there "behaves" just like any geometry; you can make changes, add, delete geometry etc.

Hi Mike, (and welcome) First of all, don't talk about images as they are 2D raster images and we are talking about 3D vector based modelshere, right? Now as for imported models; they are most probably scaled right (I mean 1:1) as you shlould aslo make your models. So first of all, make sure that you are modeling in the correct scale (1:1). To make sure, use the tape measure tool to see how big YOUR model is (I know it's all virtual but still we need a refernce to "real world" in virtual reality as well). If something is out of scale you have two choices: use the tape measure tool to scale a group/component or a whole model use the scale tool to scale any geometry (primitive/group/component). If the conveyor belt is the "culprit" (being out of scale) of course you need to scale that, not your model.

Hi Brodie, I don't have multiple displays but on another forum I saw this solution, I hope it helps (credits to "Gully Foyle") @unknownuser said: The way I get them back is by following this procedure. Do it for each missing browser, one at a time. First, you want to give the browser focus, so you should select that browser from the Window menu, even if it already has a plus next to it (if it does, click it twice so it ends up with a plus and is the last thing selected. It should then have focus, even though you can't see it. Then, you want to open its system menu using the keystroke Alt-Spacebar, then put it in Move mode by hitting M. At that point you should be able to scoot it around with the arrow keys. What you can do is to hit any arrow key once and then move your mouse back and forth, up and down, without pressing any mouse buttons. If all goes well, you should see the missing browser moving around with the mouse. Once the thing is back on-screen, click the left mouse button or hit Enter, and you should have it back. Then proceed to the next missing window, and so on. Gully Foyle

@ginahoy said: I guess I'll have to purchase AutoCAD when my employee leaves. Perhaps I can find an older version at a good price. That's a shame, because I have no interest in learning AutoCAD beyond setting up ARCH D layout pages for my plotter. david I would guess that you would do quite OK with the AutoCad LT product, as yor work doesn't involve 3D modeling in AutoCad, or using special third-party applications. I think it's about 1/3 of the price of the full version. Anssi

@rhankc said: Make unique will work when more than one instance of the component is in the file open on your screen. The path to the component library on a pc is:C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 6\Components right click the component on the component menu, select save as You can modify the right click save as selection to path straight to the component file Window (top of the screen), Preferences, Files, Components, There you set the path where you wish to keep them. you will have to save that path to your template and then the all the projects open under that template will 'save as' to that location. HTH rhankc- Thanks for the reply. ad

Yeah, it seems that your entire structure is somewhat "underground". You can also select all and move it up to 0 z value.

Doesnt neccesarily have to be a vector format, but if it isn't you'll nee to trace over the top of the imported image to turn it in to a vector image (you'll need ot explode the iamge, as well.) To import an image (or any other file for that matter) just go file->import, form there youll get a dialog window open up, theres a list of available formats in the dropdown menu.

Well, Rob, let's say these sketchy styles are somewhat in a "beta phase". Ak Tom (tomsdesk) about his frustrations with his beautiful trees that are much "undersupported" by the styles.

ill send the model to u tomorrow because im about to go to sleep.

@zammorix said: so can someone tell me of any plugins that enhance lighting and shadow effects such as light up. but light up is too weird. it doesnt work for me. If LightUp doesn't work, please contact the author. His name is Adam Billyard, and he is an active member of this community. I'm sure he would appreciate the report.

Yes, that's possible. The max image allowed in signatures is 700x60 pixels.

You set up a scene with time in the morning then set up another one with time in the evening. See attached file (click on the Scene 2 tab) AnimatedShadows.skp

I think she wants to know how to, erm, "write" Podium settings files. My advice: no need for that. There's a couple of really nice ones over at the Podium forum. Look for Zirak's and Biebel's settings files. Also, as far as I know, xml file editing will be a thing of the past when Podium 2.0 is released. Which, obviously, is groovy.

i looked at the attached file ... another alternative is using autocad ( or vector ) files . you may convert your logo to an dwg vector file using "scan to cad" applications , and then import it to SU . SU workes nicely whit dwg/dxf files .میتونی تو سایتای ایرانی دنبال این نرم افزار بگردی یا اینکه you may use this useful: http://www.cleansofts.com/get/451/7222/PaperPicture_2_DXF.html or: http://www.wintopo.com/wintopo-free.htm . needs a registration: http://www.wintopo.com/download-form.htm

Thank you very much

Excellent, I didnt know about the hidden geometry command. That makes things a lot easier! thanks for all your help!

There used to be one (not so elaborate) at Smustard's but I cannot see it in the scipt list: http://www.smustard.com/scripts/ You can see a selection of sites that host ruby scripts (a lot of free) here: http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?p=6792#p6792