Yes, to update your version of Twilight Render for Google SketchUp, simply download the new demo from the download section of http://twilightrender.com or from the Update V1.1 thread, and install over the top of your current version. If you already have a license it will NOT need to be re-requested. (except possibly with some 64bit systems) Please note especially something most people didn't notice: License deliveryhas changed slightly so that the email will hopefully not be blocked any more by some email admin systems. Save rendered images as EXR = OpenEXR (.exr) the High Dynamic Range image type developed by Industrial Lights and Magic. It can be used for many things, but some users like it for use with programs such as Motiva SOAP" @unknownuser said: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenEXR)":3eobmx9c]OpenEXR is a high dynamic range imaging image file format, released as an open standard along with a set of software tools created by Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), released under a free software license similar to the BSD license. It is notable for supporting 16-bits-per-channel floating point values (half precision), with a sign bit, five bits of exponent, and a ten-bit mantissa. This allows a dynamic range of over thirty stops of exposure. Both lossless and lossy compression of high dynamic range data is also supported.[1] Most importantly the new View Setup Tool [image: vE3t_view_tool.png] exclusive to Twilight really guarantees you will see exactly what you will render, and be able to pick a focal point [image: p35L_target.png] any where in your scene, making setting up DOF extremely easy and fun.

SimLab released today a new solution for importing SketchUp models to 3DS Max. the plugin is free for none commercial use, and it works with 3DS 2009 and 2010 (32 and 64 bit) The plugin can be download from Sketchup to 3DS Max

I have made an interesting finding: http://www.russelllowe.com/publications/caadria2009/caadria2009.htm Download the zip in "SKETCHUP EXPORTER RUBY SCRIPTS" I will comment it later in the other thread (I am getting crazy with so many threads about this stuff!

I export my SU files as 3ds, and import into Vue with an enlargement factor of 10, and that seems to work well. Unfortunately, some of the people who use Vue and create/sell content for it are lost on the concept of real world units (but, this is also true of some of the content in 3D Warehouse). When I first started using the software i broached this problem in the Vue forums and got some rather stupid and nasty comments. My favorite was along the lines "how can you have real world units when you are working on a computer screen that is only two dimensional."

Difficult to comment as I have never had Complete, I always had infinite and upgraded accordingly.

Although with a bit limited features, but the 3D Warehouse > Share function works similarly. Has anyone tried it?

i think the plugin menu had not yet existed before install ltplus. seems rb writer can choose location of script commands (per google help) also system restore removed uninstall.exe, but i now think sketchup installer never creates an uninstall.exe (because su uses msi?) to investigate further, i think i'll uninstall then reinstall su, observing file changes in app folde4rs install some extra plugins. install ltplus. i expect the earlier plugins will still show after ltplus install. IOW, i suspect that ltplus only "looks funny", but is likely OK.

Well I can say there will be material editor.

It seems that the world is full of patent trolls nowadays. I think I'll go ahead and patent all my wild ideas so I'll be able to sue a few multinationals some years from now. Back to discussion, I bought, downloaded and installed Vue Pioneer's RenderUp module in Windows 7. So I switched to XP to see how automatic the synchronization would be. This is the result: [image: pAl3_vue8.jpg] I still have to figure out how to get the same module in XP. All I've been able to get is error messages. I guess their licensing system is not perfect after all. UPDATE: The message I posted went away after entering my e-mail and password again. Now I understand it works pretty much like Windows Live Messenge. And about the module, E-on gives you the option to download and keep an installer for each module. Even if you're such a clueless guy that you lose the downloaded installer, they allow you to download it again, up to five times.

Awesome! Thanks Pete!

Thanks. . . sorry my bad.

@unknownuser said: And not part of the plugin at all, but quite interesting, is this little line of code you can enter into the ruby console and it will pop up a : Sketchup.send_action 10624 thanks chris, i suspected there was more to it, to bad it never got finished. was probably intended to develop into a full fledge animation system?? now if i could figure what any of the stuff in the 'camera control menu' means it could be useful

if you all really want to know the best way to deal with GSU plugins on macs then check it: [i won't go into the podium spiel again and how to deal with it but check this post -- http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=146352#p146352 that said, for best operation, get rid of the user/lib/etc plugin folder if you have one.. it wasn't there when you originally installed su7 and the only reason it exist is because the podium installer created it...] ok, here's how you do it.. 1.) go to the sketchup folder: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 7/SketchUp once there, you'll see the plugin folder.. drag that folder to the finder's sidebar.. this in effect will create a shortcut to your plugin folder so you're not always navigating 6-7 folders deep to get to it [as a sidenote, i also like to keep my current project folders there.. gives me quick access to see all my files in different views (list,column,cover flow, or icon) + it's right there in all the apps save dialogs as well.. once you're done with a project, just drag it out of the sidebar and it will do the smoke puff thing.. it doesn't erase anything, it's similar to dragging something out of the dock).. fwiw, i always have my su plugin folder there.. 2.) in safari's general preferences, check 'open safe files after downloading'... this will unzip your downloads automatically as they come in.. (and this isn't really necessary.. it's just my preference and it saves an extra step) also, in the same preference area, set 'save downloaded files to' the downloads folder which should be in the dock 3.)download a ruby from sketchucation, open the download folder, drag the files to the sidebar plugin folder, and start sketchup.. done son.. here's a video showing me setting up the sidebar then downloading chris fullmer's perpendicular face tools, installing it and restarting sketchup.. it's a lot faster and easier to do than typing all of these instructions good luck [flash=853,505:71dnuzhj]http://www.youtube.com/v/HOJFjy18mKQ&hl=en&fs=1&[/flash:71dnuzhj]

hey tom, yeah, i remember hearing about punch a few ago but never really looked into it.. $1700 is pretty much outside of my price range (sharkFX) but the $250 viacad pro is doable.. especially if this 'tangent covers' tool does what i'm thinking it will! http://www.punchcad.com/products/viacadprov6_features.htm thanks for the reminder. i'll definitely get the demo and try it out.

@dedmin said: http://www.sycode.com/products/stl_import_su/index.htm But the best weapon is DeepExploration! I did see sycode and that seems to be a feasible option. Are there any thoughts on the functionality of sycode, is it worth the money? @ashraf said: OSG Composer http://www.simlab-soft.com/3d-products/osg-composer-main.aspx is another option it is capable of reading Solidworks (up to 2009), IGES and STEP files and exporting Collada files readable by SketchUp. I have worked with DeepExploration but not OSG Comoser. Using a third party software would be a last resort because it is inefficient. The ability to translate right from Sketchup would be the best option

Hm, yes, looks like things have taken a turn for the better. Let's wait and see.

You can select once all plant-components in the scene, made in SketchUp, then in the material editor (Basic mode) check and mark "Use color map" them by double-clicking in one window (invert mask, if necessary), then on the context menu RMB or in Edit menu select "Replace by (keep proportions)" with Alpha Plane, then in the menu "Orientation" enter 90 degrees (Pitch). Then the only piece mark that it is Billboard, Adjust plane proportions and Keep vertical should marked too, it is possible in a single window, not closing after each point. It turns very quickly, I also use a lot of plants in my work [image: 8381b5e0de4bt.jpg]

@chango70 said: Is there a daylight analysis tool (which will be very useful for Architects)? http://www.light-up.co.uk/index.php?t=gallery&p=6

I have played around with the settings and think the ones that most achieve a SketchUp 'lookalike' are 'Cad Optimized Lights' which I think is the default and 'Shaded Illustration'. I attach some screen shots of where the settings are along with a sample, Corner Cubby. Mike Corner Cubby.pdf [image: jfqk_CadOptimizedLights.jpg] [image: xOWN_ShadedIllustration.jpg]

@adamb said: And lets not forget LightUp which will do realtime Insolation analysis based on Geolocation and give Kwh/m^2/day for tracking and non-tracking surfaces. Adam I was thinking about LightUp for this purpose Adam. I wonder should you consider going down the 'Energy' road with LightUp as it would appear that you would have the foundations laid! Its all above my head unless its put forward in a simple and straight forward package which Open Studio would not appear to be If you need guinea pigs for such a development process I am sure that the architects and engineers here would be more than willing to work with you. For me, while pretty pictures are nice, getting the Green element right is far more important Mike