Get the DrawHelix14 tool from the Plugins Index to make various helical forms... To make an "ever changing" helical form you could try the Grow tool. Make the 'segment' a component. Copy it radially, incrementing the vertical spacing/scale as you go.[image: Kb0b_Capture.PNG]

Thanks Dan. I looked in the contextual menu. Didn't think to look in the entity window. There are at least three ways to do things in SU it seems! I think I can do what I want within SU, at least, if not LO. In plan the name of the tanks will clearly sit over the model and move around with it as the winery is arranged. The name can be positioned so that it appears to hover above the tank in other views. and not whip around with the leader all the time ( I think). I can place it on another layer if I only want it showing sometimes.

Thanks! Both recommendations tested and really helps!

Cool for the Macs users! After the Iphone 5 they are lucky!

The "Hide Rest of Model" issue is not a show-stopper, it's just a step that needs to be dealt with. Keep in mind when your not in edit mode, things are simple. The challenge comes when in edit mode, because we can exit an editing context with the API, but not enter (or change,) an editing context via the API.

Oh I completely misunderstood the question! Never mind me!

Hi, on a mac, I got this Error: #<Errno::EACCES: Permission denied - VELUX_VSE_INSTALLED.txt> (eval):59:in initialize' (eval):59:in open' (eval):59:in `RunScript' (eval):199 Error: #<Errno::EACCES: Permission denied - VELUX_VSE_INSTALLED.txt> so I changed <span class="syntaxdefault"></span><span class="syntaxcomment"># name = name.tr(".skp", "") + ".txt"<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">name </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> path </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">+</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxstring">".txt"</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span> and it produce a text file. however, it has the 'full_path/to/texture.jpg' from the originating computer, i.e. not mine, Would have to make all the texture files or could they be extracted by the plugin? john

Of sure, he tells where to download total package, but not that I need to download the package. What confused me that I am not used for plugin posts which does not contain any plugin... I would say, this is confusing. And I don't see sense of this thread. If the file would be there for separate download then it would give a sense to me. And this plug does not do what I wanted (in the way as I would like to see it - see above).

Good to know. I've noticed that SU isn't exactly highly efficient in the way it deals with high polygon counts and my current project has a lot of radii so the lag is noticeable.

OK I'm lazy I feel no problem with it (luckily I'm not so clinically touchy about definitions). So could we stop this misunderstanding please?

I think this is would be a 2d use of Extrude Edges by Vector to Object in Extrusion tools by TIG. A couple lines came out smoothed because I think this is the default treatment, but they're there. [image: leLp_Extrudeedges.png]

Jeff It is certainly worthwhile for you to look into Dave Richards blog. Design, Click, Build http://www.finewoodworking.com/blog/design-click-build There is an extensive archive of topics. As for the dxf/dwg issue. I have been using a program called Draftsight http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/ and it has solved a lot of problems with fie conversions. There are still the lines not meeting, etc ,etc, etc, problems but makes the workflow generally mich better.

@rich o brien said: Did you look in the Plugins Index? Try looking through Thomthom's plugins. Selection Tools to be specific.

@rbbauer00 said: What I want is to be able to import an item, have it reduced to only the exterior visible surfaces, and all the extra parts, layers, and subcomponents removed to keep SU from having to render useless detail. Problem here is that's this is a subjective task which is very easy for a human - thought perhaps time consuming - but much harder to do with a script. You'd have a way to figure out what each face represent and evaluate if it's important or not. And considering how many warehouse models are quite messy with facenormals facing any direction it makes the process a whole lot difficult.

No Problem I love to divert the normal use of the cool plugins !

I would do what Glenn suggests. If the styles are already established, and you only need to make them once, it would take no time at all to make three scenes with the three different styles. As for the export, you could also use the animation export option with no scene transitions.

Else look Slicer 5 for V8 by TIG seems it has plan of slice XY, XZ, YZ, So a double slice ? I will test tomorrow on a modern computer Works fine!

You did a nice job on this ( I couldn't have myself). You should at least keep your curves, or outside edges grouped for later use of tries. You group them but edges remain if you also want to merge the geometry. Later exploding a copy of the curves will place the edge back in the softened geometry. From what I see of Jeff's and other's work, you use a lot more faces, and maybe that's not necessary. I restored and tried your center piece. Someone more experienced might be able to skin it.Untitled.skp and here's an attempt but it still shows little creases in the middle.attempt.skp

@blackcat1313 said: One thing, my installation has a _46 folder, not _45. Is that going to matter? _46 is Ok, as this is the last version. Fredo

No, something like that needs to be modelled I'm afraid. There are plugins that'll speed up the modeling but none that will do it for you. Try the 3D Warehouse for a helmet.