@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

And the ruby API should indeed remain the same else old plugins would stop working...

bmike, your details are as good as they need get, the color makes them better. A set of plans probably cost more, but are probably worth the added expense. Guess you don't do a lot of interior elevations noting finishes, fixtures, detail references, etc. Did you do the production drawings in SU, and then present them in Layout? How do you coordinate production drawing revisions? Do you update the 3d drawings along with, say a revision to the building sections? At my current state, once the model is used to present the design, and the job moves into production drawings, the 3d model is abandoned, and the various floor, reflected ceiling, lighting, etc plans only retain a bare amount of common information. While revisions are far better them by pencil drafting, in my case at least they are far from automatic. Do you have a better handle on this kind of drawing coordination?

Yep, almost all renderer's will give a free trial period... that is certainly the thing to do before simply going off a recommendation on a message board. The biggest mistake I see people make with their choice of software is going by the results somebody else was able to get -- in the right hands almost any renderer is going to produce excellent results... the question you need to ask is how much of what you see is just post-production adjustments(which can be very significant). Best, Jason.