http://diasmon.deviantart.com/art/F-A-37-Talon-2-gif-303469024?q=gallery%3Adiasmon%2F29821254&qo=26

Solved!! CadFather (http://sketchucation.com/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=378) has provided a solution that works well for anyone using MS Windows. A program called winsize2: http://sourceforge.net/projects/winsize2/ This program works on any window not just the options window. It's great for people with laptops and second screens because it can save different configs for different resolutions.

Thanks Glenn. After spending more time than it was worth, I came to the conclusion that DC wasn't going to work for me on what had become a fairly complex component. FredoScale's stretch function works very well. Although it couldn't handle stretching the entire component including it's sub-components, if I stretch the outer component, then stretch the inner components (that it couldn't handle) separately, it works fine. Dynamic Components would be so much better if a FredoScale like stretch function were incorporated. In fact, Sketchup might consider incorporating that function as a tool. Regards

@daredevil said: @unknownuser said: Anyone dare the challenge? DC challenge ? I'm here !! If I have some time to spend on it, I will try next days... Did you have more info about this kind of window ? I think there is a rail to connect the top end of the window to the fixed frame, but not in your model... Yes, -you are right Didier, I just did not model it Attached is an updated version with the track hinge The window should be correctly placed in the horizontal position now, -but out of place in the two other positions. See photo If you look close you can imagine the L-fitting and track marked on this photo. [image: FSLR_IMAG1074.jpg] Updated version

No. You can edit the segments of a circle, but not the cylinder. If you look at entity info of a circle you can change the segments but not when it's been extruded. Artisan plugin has a tool called "reduce polygons" where you can set the % of reduction. But it won't give you the results you desire on a normal cylinder, works better for a quad/tri mesh as does everything subdivision related.

Hi Box, Here is what I did. I downloaded file and opened it. I had trouble as I first posted with the component having no component options. I received a comment that I should import it, not open it. So when I tried that, I deleted the component from the screen and imported the file. Yes indeed, I imported the component into itself. Arrgghhh!!!!! So, I am now understanding that DCs must be imported in order for component options to be activated. Is that correct? and thanks for the heads up regarding not pasting a component into itself.

Hi mal, Your model is well organized. However, if you want the sub-components to keep their size when scaling then you need to add size constraints. The size constraints are built-in attributes named LenX, LenY and LenZ. You can assign a size using a constant number, or from another attribute. Examples might look like these: LenX: =0 LenY: =AnotherAttribute LenZ: =Parent!SomeAttribute

I'm getting close to the solution here. I think I can figure this out using the SUNELEVATION, SUNANGLE, and LATITUDE functions (I'll have to dust off my spherical geometry and celestial navigation skills). I do have one follow-on question: How do you get a dynamic component to continually update based on changes in the model? In other words, how do I get SUNANGLE to update if I change the Time of Day in the Shadows menu? Thanks for your help! Frank.

@daredevil said: @eric_j said: Hello Apologies if this has been asked and answered elsewhere.... Is it possible to embed a fixed offset function - or variable offset, for that matter - in a dynamic component? For example, I'd like to be able to have a complex curve in 2D with a similar curve offset so that when X or Y is scaled on the main curve, the perpendicular distance on the offset curve stays the same. Can this be done? Does it need scripting? Thanks for any thoughts... EJ With DC, you can copy, move, rotate and scale a shape but you can't make an offset. If you need to do this dynamically, I think you must script in Ruby. Didier Thanks; that's what I suspected....

Thanks, I do have more materials to choose from and was looking for a way to keep the values with the name of the materials This is much cleaner, but like you said, I ned to keep an eye on material and value orders

@daredevil said: There is no problem to enter the value in a text box in the Component option windows AND let the user manualy scale it. If you have a problem to do that, send us the file to understand the problem. Is it that simple? It is more complicated when you want to put constraints on the value such as snapping to whole numbers, or making minimum length.

I think I have seen some DC trees that change leaves for different seasons, but I don't recall ever seeing a DC tree that grows. Nice idea, though.

@daredevil said: @daredevil said: Same with RAND()... If the formula is the same, the result is the same. @jim said: Here's what I did. 3 identical formulas, 3 different values between 1 and 5. I was intresded with your video : all the opposite to my experience !! So... I tested and tested again, and finally I understand why !!! If you type in uppercase (RAND() or RANDBETWEEN(1,5)) or use the help to insert function (that write it in uppercase), same formulas produce same result. But if you write in lowercase (rand() or randbetween(1,5)) each folmula produce a different result, the random is "realy" random ! If you use mixed case, Rand() produce same result as other Rand(), but different to RaNd() that produce same as other RaNd()... I used to type in uppercase in DC, but now, I will always use lowercase, like in Ruby Thanks Jim for you exemple If anybody was going to provide an answer . . . . it was shure to be SketchUcation. THANKS.

Thanks Howard, Your door builder made my day. Thanks for sharing and devising it so well. It was breeze customizing it to specific needs.

[quote="Jim"]The original author of the DC did not create any user options. What options do you want the DC to have? Thanks Jim for your help. You are right, my issue has worked out, though not with the DC first used, but with another DC which was a breeze. It just was quicker for me to use a DC that allowed customization, instead of working out all the ins and outs of DC's, that hopefully will come with practice and more time spent In the attached jpeg on the LHS is the DC that I customized for use in my model on the RHS. I can see the power of DC's in this instance, like a standard component, DC's too can edited through their attributes while retaining their dynamic behavior, splendid, what an enhancement for parametric modelling, kudos to those who thought this out. Many thanks to you Jim, for your support and prompt responses. I appreciate it. This is what is gr8 about sketchup you dont have to know everything, you can get by and get things done with even working knowledge and what you know. SCF is absolutely fantastic, my compliments to all at SCF for making it such a gr8 place of sharing knowledge and helping each other out. [image: QQul_DC2.jpg]

Thanks so much Jim. That gives me a simple insight and a kick start! I don't think I'll get into the if statements just yet but I will work toward it for sure. cheers...Wayne

Ah, allowing the user a choice per component - that's very neat, thankyou.

Hi Jim Thank you so much for getting this door to work correctly. Having a sizeable door will save me a lot of time when modelling. I'm pretty new at DC's so I really appreciate someone with your expertise helping me. I'll also use this door as a template to build a sizeable drawer front with 1 1/2" rails and 2 1/2" stiles. Thanks again, Woodwork 101

Cheers Jim. I will give it a try next time I have a spare minute.

DareDevil - Thank you for your help I've got it working perfectly now. I can see how I can use this coding for other DC's as well. dukejazz - Thank you for the info on your plugin, I haven't tried it yet but it looks great. Once again thank you to both of you for your help and your quick responses. Woodwork 101