Those of you who might have some issues with SKP need to take a look at the UTUBE videos Nick Sonder has put up recently. His work says it all. From a developer as well as contractors standpoint - he's "nailed" his field. If you can't "build" from his work, then go home and change professions. In addition, almost every other poster here has had something valuable to say. Do the "traditional (architectural) industry / practitioners" feel threatened, etc? No doubt. Can you imagine what AutoDesk and others have spent? Having said that: The team of consultants / engineers / developers and builders we work with ? They could give a whit about "what' is used to create the end product. Millions of dollars are in play on these projects - literally (we're very, very lucky to have the work we have and, we try to appreciate it with frank, "humbleness" and, give thanks every single day). In our work team, all manor programs are used, interfaced, etc. AutoCad does some great things and, quite quickly in the hands of talented (note "talented") user. Same for SolidWorks and several other programs mentioned. Frankly, it's all about the job and clear communications to the "end user" - be it design engineer, structural engineer, MEP folks, the client or whomever. We've never had a client with a seven-or-eight figure project say "how did you come up with that image or make those drawings?" They're busy, they want visuals, and most want them NOW. We've found that SKP delivers. Too, we've received a number of project files from the "biggest and the (supposedly) best in the business). What we've had come across the threshold is truly, in some instances, unbelievably bad. Remember: It's not the tool, it's the operator. Never forget that. If you're client has a problem with how you dig the ditch, hand him the shovel. Better yet, (if you can afford it) pass on that client; we've almost always found that, that type of client is trouble down the road. As for "balky" consultants that have too many "opinions." I flat out tell them: "they can always find their payslip elsewhere."

For vector PDF's, I've found Inkscape does a creditable job. It imports Ok and I can then clean up the vectors before export as a DXF or OBJ (for Blender).

I went through the whole Vico Office 1/2 hour video the other day. I saw a real value to the first module where the various formats are share-able and view-able in 3D. The fourth module that had to do with collaboration and change management was also cool. The two modules that had to do with cost estimating are relevant and cool but very specific to a 'niche' group and do not have the same level of appeal to me, as they deal with a level of detail that I don't 'dig into'. The sliding cross-section viewer was awesome, as was the 'high light revised stuff' view. Still, Vico has too much of the Microsoft Project/Sharepoint look, that I have found folks in the western united states really don't like. The 'Google' style of button interface with a three-part (maximum) screen and 'zoom from space to neighborhood' really appeals, as does the 'rotate my model'. I hope that Trimble breaks the Vico modules down into 'bite-size' pieces with some of it being made 'free-ware' to SU users, like parts of render programs and materials/models/warehouses are currently. I think that is the way to 'win over customers'. As to the app for a Android phone...like you, I am still waiting

2 hints for zorro2: use with CTRL to slice all subgroubs and components use right click on section plane to slice with this plane ("Slice Model at Section") (so 15 minutes are too long )

Thanks everyone for your help. I have downloaded TIG's Archiver.rb plugin and will give it a try. Walter

Yes Dave, that is correct. I want to get rid of all the unused items. Thank you TIG, I will try this. Thanks in advance...

Just wanted to say. I use Octaine with TIG's exporter. Works fine! Got an gtx 580 as graphiccard. Strength - You see quite rapidly where you're going in the render. I often use an ambient occlusion "sneeky render" that's very fast and gives good enough results, at least for me. There are different rendermethods to choose between. And an online database of materials where you can drag and drop from the menu. So easy setup if you're not a perfectionist. Also node-based interface, but one doesent have to bother about that if one doesent want to.. Another thing, if you are a paying costumer you will get full access to the whole site with bigger forum where you can get beta and test versions. There's quite some activity going on there. Can't tell how mature the software is yet, compared to for ex Thea. Octaine requires a good graphiccard.

if the DXF/DWG does not work for you or if you do not have access to the DWG-Editor of SWX, you can also export from SWX to STL and import the STL file in SU by installing the STL f. SU plugin. hth, Norbert

Try repainting the face with the 'default material' as an intermediate step, this should wipe the projection/uv-mapping and you can start again...

Have you tried to contact SketchUp Customer Service recently?

Nickchun: More comments: 1)The 400mm model stand alone skp file in your zip is a different size that the one in the kitcab file model; 2) If I open the 400 stand alone model it opens at the expected drawing axis origin, importing the 300 and 350m then into the same drawing will then come in as components even though they are not componets in the zip fileoffset some what and with out the move tool; 3) SU treats components differently for ones created within the specific skp file. Try scaling one with the tape tool and you will see that. I am coming to the conclusion what are you seeing is just an artifact of the work flow you have going. Especially since both Dave R and I am found no problem when opening from the kitcab file. Have you tried opening from the in model component browser and found same problem? 4) If all your cabinets are separate files suggest you create a collection or library and try again and see if the problem is still there.

@dave r said: Download the current version of LibFredo6 it and replace the old version. Then it will work fine. Thanks for your quick response Dave. I'll do that. Had a hunch it was the thing to do but did not want to upset my settings!

That's very true but even if you just use it as a general guide line (almopst literally): to snap to its edges/endpoints etc. when overdrawing something, it may still be more accurate (and faster) than tracing blurry images.

how many cores are you running? computer stats? A more complex interior scene will take longer to render, overnight and even longer is typical on something like a dual core, it won't matter what software you are using. Try using exterior progressive preset, it clears quicker iirc, not as much caustics etc. looking like a nice scene btw

@mike amos said: Trying to rotate a simple cube along a path, any ideas? I have searched the forums and found reference to a plug-in which is apparently no longer available. Ta. As an animation? What kind of path? Straight? Curved? Single segment? Multi-segment? Component Stringer requires you to pre-select the path and component before executing the plugin. It places a copy of the component at the beginning of each segment.

So what's all the fuss about then !!! But seriously, I get it. Thanks again Tig. Thankfully I don't have to mess with Autocad and its relatives very often. And once Layout is up to speed, I doubt many others will have to either. Baz

I've been running this for a while now as well because of this problem. It causes all sort of problems for me in autocad!

I was just answering Stephen's question.

OH GREAT! I did not know that v7 pro reverted to free after the trial period expiration! Thank you guys! (BTW: looking for v7 free just because of the dwg import feature, smart intuition )

a lot when debugging things, or adding extra functionality [like Web Inspector] it so easy to do from Ruby Console using unix or SU cmds.