Cutting out shadows?

presto

I am in the process of putting together a library of sketchup trees as components. Here is the issue that I am calling out to the SCF for assistance. When I am creating one of these trees from an image, I save the file in photoshop as a .png file. The advantage in doing this is that I can use the background erase tool to erase the background and project only the image that I want.
This is all good so far.
Then I import that .png image into sketchup. This is where I am encountering the issue at hand. That image will look great and the background of the image will be transparent. BUT, when I display the shadows, the shadow is of the bounding box (a big rectangle) around the tree.
So, I am then stuck having to take the time to manually explode that image and then trace around the tree to cut out a tree like shadow.
This process is very time consuming and I know that someone out there has a better solution. So, if you have any input or ideas on the topic I would love to hear about it.

DavidBoulder

I had noticed this as well, when I tired to make my own trees from images vs. formfont 2d trees.

At the time I didn't have good solution, but since then I've used LIveTrace in Adobe Illustrator CS3. That could be good solution. You could load hand sketch (or image file there) and have it create the outline which you can export as dwg/dxf file. Then take your tree texture in SU and paint it on your newly made surface.

I wish it could shadow shapes in transparent PNG,s but don't think that it can do this?

remus

As far as i know the only way to do this is to cut out the shapes in SU. It doesnt have to be very accurate, but it can be pretty time consuming none the less.

I believe there is an automated way of doing it over at smustard. You send o your PNG to be cut and they send you back the finished component for a small fee. Could be worth a look if youve got a lot PNGs to cut out.

tald311

I did this about 3 years ago from a tutorial I found on the old forums. Not sure if its 100% correct so let us know if it does work.

I would open the tree image / sketch I want in PhotoShop.
I would create a path around the tree. Make sure its a closed path.
I would then import / export the path into illustrator. The export option is under File - Export -> Export Path to Illustrator
In illustrator I would give the path a line weight (not sure if that is needed for this next step as follows: When you open the illustrator file it will be blank. Use the marquee tool and select the whole area. You should see vertices selected. Give them a line weight / color.
Then export the path / line from illustrator and save it as a DWG / DXF. THe export options are under the file menu. I think you can just Save As a DXF.
Open SketchUp and import the DWG / DXF and create a surface out of it. Delete the edges around the surface (to define the shape. THis might be tricky depending no how complex the outline is. Also, you will loose some of the defintion of the shape but it should still be ok.
Import the PNG from PhotoShop of the tree and paint it onto the surface.
Adjust the texture on the surface using the right click context menu to adjust textuers.

Let us know if that works : ) cause its been a long time since I tried this but made some nice 2D trees with this method.

Daniel Tal

tomsdesk

Presto, by right clicking the png (or using the identy info pulldown menu) you can set the image not to cast shadows...so no bounding box shadow, but no shadow at all (ok sometimes).