If you want to swap components they must have the same orientation/axes otherwise they'll come in unexpectedly placed/rotated. For example you have a chair that's placed down and moved/rotated etc. Let's assume that it's green [y] axis faces the back of the chair and is centered on the chair's base at floor level. You have another chair that has its origin [axes] in a different arrangement - let's assume the green [y] axis is in this case facing the chair's front and the axes are on one corner, at seat level... If you swap the original chair components with this one you will get the 'correct' result [SUp simply follows your instructions] - these new chairs will be facing the opposite way to the first lot, set to one side and moved down in the blue/z axis too... This is probably not what you want ! To avoid it make sure that both chairs have common axis arrangements - I'd suggest they both have them placed and facing as the original one... Then when you swap them all that changes will be the type of chair, it will face the same way etc... Another example is handles/knobs - always make them with the same axis arrangements and axis location [centrally] and then placing them is consistent and swapping them means only the 'type' changes not its location or rotation relative to the original's... To move a component's axis just pick an instance and right-click context-menu to get 'Change Axes' - choose it and then pick a new location [xray mode might help here] and the directions of the rgb/xyz axes... Then the components should swap successfully... If the components are external skp files then you can move the geometry to the origin is a matching fashion and 'reload'...

Thanks for the update David. I'll have to check it out. I think it would certainly be worth it. Cheers, Dave

Chris, I'd love to take a look at that plugin if you get a chance. I am looking to build a simple urban context from a 2d CAD plan. Just looking for a quick way to make generic boxes around our architectural model. Please let me know if you post it. I really enjoy your other plugins, keep up the good work. Thanks!

This is actually a very good idea! Some plugins are quite complex and have functions that are not (necessarily) apparent for people not using those particular ones so some nice examples can be very useful. Maybe (even if not a full fledged one but) some steps with screenshots and/or videos to show the plugin in action to perform some specific task?

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=22472 When you're in the Plugin section just type in keywords in the searchbox next to the New Topic button - that'll let you search that section only.

this is the proper install directory for SU windows plugins(C:\Program Files\Google\Google Sketchup 7\plugins) unless like me, you changed it when you installed

Thanks a lot Tig. I'll give a look tonight at home. Regards.

An open box I guess: You can build it with the default 3d shapes of sketchyphysics (boxes), one box for the base, and four boxes more for the walls. Then in UI all of them should be checked STATIC, and even the base STATICMESH too, just in case. Then for the can, use the default cylinder, and whe right-clicking on it: sketchyphysics >> shape >> cylinder. Then multi-copy that can. Press the play, when it's done you can save the model in skp and changes will be saved. If you already had built all the objects before, you can edit each group, and "introduce" inside of them the objects I explained above, and then hide them. SKetchyphysics will still recognise them.

KHAMSIN WOW A dynamic FIA and for SU Very impressive I will give it a run and thank you. dtr

Thank you I had not completely extracted the folder and separate .rb file, instead I had just opened the zip file and dragged them all into the /Plugin folder so it didn't create the shape bender folder. It works great now. Thank you agian for the help. UlsterHound

FOR NONCOPLANAR LAME KNIFE IS UGLY ... ? [image: D.png] cut 1.skp

Doing that in so many materials can be so boring, or not?

Nicky, Download the copy of Cloud_V6 from this link (http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=1537)and give it a try again. The version on Ruby Depot is different, or should I say it didn't work for me but this version did. I think I have figured out why I was having a problem with the DEM data I was creating from scratch. Once I have it all worked out I will post my findings. Basically I figured out that the X, Y and Z data seems to need to have a decimal point and a value after it. I was able to get it to work with the attached data file. Let me know if it works for you. JP Data to create test DEM

I and my friend ususally work togrther, and he is skilled in cad and too lazy (and not trosting) to migrate to sketchup. he usually works with layers, and I use the "color by layer" option to arrange his work in SU, .. it is usually handy if using a plugin instead of rolling over a loooong panel of layers to change an objects layer. Edited: the matchprop ruby also was handy, thanx mates, but maybe some possiblities is here for more options

see the new tools of bonzai3d, nurbs. he can create something like this for sketchup? http://www.formz.com/products/bonzai3d/bonzai3dVideo_320.php?startMovie=Nurbs_Surfaces_Blend_Merge_and_Extend_320.flv

Same here, tried many times, and SU crashes on me

You can also move vertices together. Have nothing selected, active move tool and pick on one vertex and snap it to the other. There are also 'clean-up' plugins to do this 'healing' for you too...

Er, wait... is this a request for a "gizmo" to move, rotate, or scale (around object center or object origin)? Something like this: [image: http://wiki.blender.org/uploads/6/6c/Manual-Manipulators-Combo.jpg] That would be fantastic to have! (even better, snap it to the current model unit... then you can do precise movements without having to post-enter VCB units every time) Reference link to wikki's plugin: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=20346&p=170277 I created the gizmo model for an external editor using SketchUp [see file attachment] Gizmo.skp

@plot-paris said: well, EEbyRails restricts you to 4 curves (two profile curves, and two path curves) whereas with a loft tool you are allowed to use as many curves as you like (order in which curves are selected will determine the order they are used). maybe you could create a loft tool based on your EEbyRails tool... I know there is a basic loft tool out there somewhere (I think Chris Fullmer). but last thing I know its still in early beta. you got quite a stable tool which produces beautifully smooth forms. so maybe you could derive a mighty loft tool from it... I am working on such multi-profile loft tool. Still a lot of work, but you can get an idea at http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=1306&start=210#p216592 Fredo

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