Component Problems - Please Help!!!

* fi * · 12 Jun 2008, 15:37

Hi Everyone,

Im a designer for a climing frame company where all our parts are
modular. I have converted all our parts (eg slides, climing nets,
different roofs) into 3D models in sketch up. When i open a component
up (eg climing frame structure) i want to be able to drop in another
component (eg a slide) which will automaticaly click or mate to a
surface.
The slide for example should be able to link to the surface at each
of
the four sides at specific patches but no where else.

The program will be used by people who have never used sketchup
before
so should be as simple as possible. The idea is to build your own
climing frame just by dragging and dropping components into sketch up
which automaticly 'click' into place.

I hope that makes sence, If anyone has any ideas it would be greatly
appreciated.

Tobobo · 13 Jun 2008, 12:49

Fi,

I understand what you want to do; I'm just not sure sketch up is the right programme to use. It is a great tool for creating the components and for you as a designer it is ideal. I think the best bet is to find a software company that will be able to produce what you are after, and then you could load the programme onto your website and also send it out in marketing packages as a reason to use your company. A sort of ‘design your own equipment’ type of approach to your products and if you pitch it right to the boss, I think it be a great selling tool.

Sorry I could be more helpful.

* fi * · 13 Jun 2008, 13:13

Thanks for replying toby!
I was wondering can u suggest any software? Anything at all would be great!

Cheers, fi

ridix · 13 Jun 2008, 13:17

The program will be used by people who have never used sketchup
before

In many cases people who have never used given software needs some time to just learn how to use it. Resistance to learn new method can be a turn off. Have you considered other method? May be it is best to make a little model of each components so that one can assemble it like a Lego block. It will be totally intuitive and fun to play around with.

chrisglasier · 16 Jun 2008, 03:38

@tobobo said:

Fi,... It is a great tool for creating the components and for you as a designer it is ideal.

That's right, but because Sketchup has a webdialog, you or your customer can also collect components and manipulate them using familiar website buttons, baubles and beads. Rather than "load the programme onto your website" load your website into the programme. So, thinking aloud, your ordinary website opens with an option to download and run Sketchup and your plug-in file; if this is selected, the website wraps itself up in the webdialog!

If you, Fi, can manage to make models I am sure you will have no trouble with the simple HTML and Javascripts needed and much of the web/sketchup interaction has been kindly made clear in response to my own posts.

See also viewtopic.php?f=180&t=10419 as James wrote above.

Chris

outersketcher · 16 Jun 2008, 19:50

Have you thought about importing the sketchup components into Flash? Yes, it would be simplistic.... but for ease of use for your customers, you can't beat it. They would be able to move the pieces around online from within the flash program. And then, if that whets their appetite for more, they could then try thier hand at using the SketchUp file itself.

chrisglasier · 17 Jun 2008, 06:49

Look at the clip at http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=10443. It's all there - webdialog, using Javascripts to manipulate data, Javascript/Ruby interaction, timeOut animation (for making the appearance of a snap), web export and sketchy physics. (Also posted on Google Sketchup Help)

* fi * · 25 Jun 2008, 14:53

Thank you every one for replying you have really helped me out!
Im very greatful! Thanks