Well, I posted the problem on the ADSK Inventor help forum, but got no significant assistance. J D Mather asked me to post what I had got, but I got no reply. Using SU was so simple in comparison and the proof of the pudding is the "cock on" prototype SU isn't just for designing buildings!

Another way to do this: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=20949

@mitcorb said: That is what is so good about this forum. I agreee. This forum keeps very friendly atmosphere as well and it's great and positive.

It indeed would be a good idea. In our office, we didn't bother upgrade the Pro versions from 6 to 7 as we don't see the benefits for it. But we very often need to get SU7 files into SU6...

Thanks Jan, interior designers will be grateful.. EDIT: just in case you need.. [image: Xh47_jsmove_16.png] [image: ziUo_jsmove_24.png]

Ok. For example, assuming already 2 components created and it's axis origin positioned at the center of the cilinders, this is the Workflow as they appear in the video: Drop 2 JointSU into the model Make each JointSU child of each Component Name both JointSUs Using "Zero" function, position each JointSU at the Components origin. Make Component#2 child of Component#1 (create of a product structure) Using "Set" function, establish the connection of the joints. Using "Panel" function, reverse the direction of the joint (Flip=true). Using "Set Anime" function, make this joint able to be part of the animation. Using "Anime Start", animate the whole model. Using "Anime Stop", stop model animation. Using "Panel", re-align the joint to it's original position. [flash=425,344:tbflk7u5]http://www.youtube.com/v/xe6SCnkbyjo[/flash:tbflk7u5] If interested I have the WMV video in much better quality, but it's 1.3 MB. (do not recall if there is a place to upload such files here). Regards Marcio

There is no built in Method to rename Materials... However I have written a new Method 'material-name=.rb' that does that. Search for it in this Forum. Usage: material.name="new_name" It's NOT a script, however if you let the Method load and then call it it will work... e.g. assuming each Component is in a separate Model file... model=Sketchup.active_model model_name=model.title model.materials.each{|mat| mat_name=mat.display_name mat.name=mat_name+"["+model_name+"]" } If you want to make materials specific to Definitions then you' have to do something like... model=Sketchup.active_model model.definitions.each{|defn| name=defn.name defn_mats=[] defn.entities.each{|e| defn_mats<<e.material if e.material.name and not e.material.include?(defn_mats) defn_mats<<e.material if e.back_material.name and not e.material.include?(defn_mats) } defn_mats.each{|mat| mat_name=m.name mclone=mat.clone ### NOTE; mat.clone is non-existent BUT it's quite easy to make it from the mat.name= code which already temporarily clones the material during its rename process... mclone.name=mat_name+"["name+"]" } } ### you might want to purge at the end to remove unused materials... model.materials.purge_unused Note that this code is untried and only a basic outline...

Oh good, that is a much better way of doing it! Chris

Seems if you use the Simple Loft by Chris Fullmer you can can make that you want Just have a segment missing in the circle, so put it under face There is also this pipe plug by 3Seng by 3Seng [image: QW6u_pipe.jpg]

@haynesc said: Hi guys .. is there a way to weld multiple lines at once ? RickW's weld.rb welds all connected co-vertexed edges selected. If you want to be able to select several unconnected sets of edges, or sets of edges where say 3 share a vertex point and branch the it is possible... you simply need to: Look at the selection set and extract an array of all_edges=[]. Make an array of each set of connected_edges=[]. Process the connected_edges array doing each connected_edges set in turn. Make an array of all edges in the set with a 'loose end/start' - i.e. not shared with another edge - loose_edges=[]. Take each loose_edge in turn and find each of its connected edges, their connected edges etc ad infinitum... At a >2 edge vertex you branch off down one of the edge sets (could selected the 'longest' branch ?) As you go you remove selected edges from the connected_edges array If the next loose_edge is no longer in connected_edges array then skip it as it's been taken as connected to the sub-set. When there are no more loose-ends check to see if there are any edges left in the connected_edges set - if so they must 'loop' to say a >2 vertex connection, and so they have no loose-ends - pick one and repeat getting connected edges etc... Eventually you will have put all of the connected edges into sub-sets that can be processed by 'weld'. Un-connected array sets are also processed similarly and 'welded'... There's the plan now someone write it... Otherwise, carefully select the edges you'd like to weld so they are continuous and not branching etc and 'weld' each selected set in turn...

Fredo you are the King! @unknownuser said: the icon is a pink 'U' I see a pink "1" as number one or unique [image: vhx7_one.jpg]

Hi orei, This may be of use: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=17660 No script unloading, though. But you can re-load a script if things get messed up. Cheers, Alex

Khai at least for your example, it seems to me that creating a component and making copies or arrays where ever needed would be less memory use/poly creation and maybe quicker.

With the SU API it's possible to select items inside groups/components. It's just the SU UI that doesn't do it.

Hey thats great! Cheers!

Nope, nothing that is open in the API or anywhere that I know of. Maybe some of the more serious "hackers" would be able to figure it out, but its not availabe through the API. Chris

Yeah, the toolbar Fredo has come up with is amazing. Makes me wish all the coders would collaborate and jointly work on perfecting some of the "must have" tools. Could you imagine how good sculpt tools, shape bender or some of the others would be if it incorporated Fredo's toolbar? As far as a shape tiler ruby goes, I guess the most challenging part of that coding would be fitting the tiled shapes into a defined space and having the edges cut off accurately. It's interesting how LWCAD does it. If you see this video - http://www.wtools3d.com/swf/online_help/LWCAD_30/detailed_sidewalks/detailed_sidewalks.htm It's amazing how you can turn the array of tiled shapes as if it were a texture and have it still fit within the face. I think a ruby like this would have to start maybe as a hatch tool of some kind, and then have the script fill every face in the hatch with the chosen shape. How would you guys perceive a tool like this functioning?

We've got such a method in the SKX library. That reminds me; I've been meaning to get a first release for SKX out for the stable methods we got.

It is possible to "construct" the shadows (as semitransparent faces) with Ruby, but with great tools like LightUp and Podium that work with SU, I don't think you'll see anything soon (though I could be wrong).

@gjenio said: Maybe I don't get your request... but Sketchup can already do dimensions like that! What's the problem? I understand,but to do this taking many time,need draw construction lines? I want it looks like cline tool or something!I need distance between model and dimensions without using construction lines. My english is not so good to explain punctually!