As Thomas writes, "Use only as many edges as you need..." A small hole can look round with relatively few sides while something like a round table top would benefit from having more sides. The same goes for arcs. A small round over will look fine with three or four sides but a larger curves need more. Don't waste geometry where it isn't needed but don't skimp where it is. In models you find in the 3D Warehouse, it could be they are drawn with few sides on circles and arcs to keep file size down. This is the case with many of the components from the @Last days. It could also be they were drawn by someone who didn't know how to control and utilize the tools well or they were just sloppy. With the Warehouse you get all sorts.

one method I have used for this is to copy the whole terrain down by the height of your curb then to create a block from the extrusion of your roads and intersect it with the whole model. after that clean up the model and you will have curbs and roads at a lower level than sidewalks. there is some work involved in it but it works.

Hello Galland and welcome! I am not sure but I guess this is the one: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=28957 The plugin is attached at the bottom of the first post (a bunch of ZIP files - read the change logs to know which one you need)

@ghalko said: So before reading Chris's post where he said he was doing building B I was already modifying it and so forth, but fortunately the most work I have done is one component with many sub components that can be moved to just about any building foundation. I might move it to that water one. Also I was thinking about the story. Just my thoughts no need to adopt them. Originally it was a well guarded retreat for several of the world's top scientists. A scientist that was never allowed to go there, manipulated his country defeat the defenses around the island and then capture it. Not much damage was done to the island, and the 'evil' scientist was finally in control. Soon after the hostile-takeover all of the scientists disappeared including the 'evil' one. Since all of their transportation had been taken away, no one knows how they disappeared. The country that had captured the island opened it up to International Investigation and the player is one of, or the, investigator. Just an idea, it also sort of pushes away from the over-used exile theme, more like the scientists had plenty of time and materials to build to their fancy, including puzzles and other interesting things that delight the mind. However with the disappearance there is a definite possibility for a bit of darkness. I love it, and you're right about overused exile theme. Maybe one of the buildings could be a ruin of an invasion tank or robot. Also we could include defensive perimeters, unsprung traps, and access puzzles.

Download version 7 here: http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=60107

That yuuguu program works perfectly, thank you so much!

This may not apply to your specific issue, but: If you create abutting groups like you suggest, then modify the groups in any way, you have to be careful that the modifications you make do not deform the edges/faces where it touches/ matches the adjacent group.

Thanks for your advises Tom. I'll check for some stuff on the web when I'll be about to buy it and I'll post the description here

@unknownuser said: Somehow like the rotate tool alignment works? I have a pending feature request at Google. Until then, have a look at this plugin. exactly this would be a must. I tried chris fullmer's perpendicular face tools but it is not as easy than the rotate tool alignment, It would be easy for sketchup team to add this particularity for basic shapes. just 3 clicks.

And for the "Component Stringer" by Chris I have written @unknownuser said: Position between them is given by segments of the curve itself! (so work on it the divisions before launch the plug) Fredo 6 Bezier Splines I believe has a Divider, Segmentor curves...

I get your point : not ethical is a sweet euphemism! By the way, we found a workaround : I told my friend to mask the unnecessary buildings and upload his model on GE.

Good to know, I often have struggled with this

Also instead of going all around, you can halve the whole shape by connecting opposite endpoints that halve the remaining offending face etc. until you quickly isolate the problematic area. Then just delete the unnecessary edges inside.

@hellnbak said: Could you explain what that means? Google does that very nicely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvSP54o_KqY

Hi folks. It is, as pointed by others, an internal face that shows through the outside face. If you cannot delete that face because it is needed, for an internal view, for example, or because it is necessary for the geometry of the model, you can hide it for this particular view. You may also use a layer that you will hide. Assign this face and any other that creates the same problem to this layer. Then, create a scene to save the setting for this layer. Create another scene, showing this layer and use it for inside views. Then, clicking on scenes tab will get you the better of both worlds. Just ideas.

@hellnbak said: Is there a way, maybe a plugin, that will allow me to accurately rotate an object? What would be really good is a plugin similar to Nudge, that lets you use the arrow keys to move objects in small increments. I have searched extensively for something like this, have come up with zip, so any help will be much appreciated. The rotix plugin does what you want. Works with groups & components. http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/plugin_details.php?id=348

Another little tip, if you scale your whole model up by a factor of 10 you have further to move things, then just scale it down again when you have finished. This helps with small faces that SU doesn't like also.

Thanks TIG, as fast as lightning (as usual)

Tig wins! I have forgotten the power of "think lateral" Have you try "Profil Builder" ? I don't know yet if "Profils multiple" is possible?

@unknownuser said: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=30630&hilit=ross+macintosh Ross has... Thanks - will hop over there