Least used function of SU

utiler

For me, SketchUp has come so far since 6.0 was released. This fine little community and others has added so many ruby, extensions / applications and NPR ideas that a lot of the simple functions of SketchUp are rarely used... [survey of one of course!!]

So what is the least used function of SU?
Flip along Axis is for me.... as well as Fog; don't really use it with so many other options out there....
Outliner too, however some might say I don't know how to use it!!!

I'm interested in your thoughts.....

solo

Autosave, it slows SU down too much especially with large models. I just remember to save before running any major script or between creating new components.

pmiller

Ditto to Solo on autosave - CTL+S is a habit, and very quick.

Chris Fullmer

I have a whole list of things I never use. I'm not sure its a good list, but.....lol. I just haven't got the hang of some stuff.

Dimenions (I do use text a lot though)
Construction geometry (tape measure, protractor)
flip along axis or whatever its called
autosave - agreed! impossible on big models on a network.
animations spin view
draw polygon
lock geometry
section cuts
sky and ground
instructor
scene delay in animation
Display crosshairs (though could be interesting)
metric units - who needs that stuff? lol (please send all hate mail to ChrisFullmer@theinternet.google.com.usa)

of all of these, I don't think there are any that I think are unnecessary though. I just haven't incorporated them in to my workflow.

Chris

utiler

gee, chris that's quite a list!!!

I agree on the 'display crosshairs'.... enough going on without them adding clutter....

kwistenbiebel

@chris fullmer said:

metric units - who needs that stuff? lol (please send all hate mail to ChrisFullmer@theinternet.google.com.usa)

hate mail sent .

least used function: inches
By consequence probably the most used function by me is ModelInfo > Units > (change to) decimal> centimeters...to change to metric for each new model as inches is set by default.

Also least used: protractor, tape measure, dimension, zoom icons (I use mouse),Google earth link, fog.

bertu

non metric units - where on the dark side of the moon are they still in use?
animation - it's not my hobby.
instructor - no need

tbd

@unknownuser said:

kwistenbiebel: to change to metric for each new model as inches is set by default

you know that you can save the template in metric and you can have a menu item with this line for those "pesky" models

Sketchup.active_model.options["UnitsOptions"]["LengthUnit"]=4

Gaieus

@kwistenbiebel said:

...probably the most used function by me is ModelInfo > Units > (change to) decimal> centimeters...to change to metric for each new model as inches is set by default...

kwist, you don't use metric/decimal templates (by default)?

plot-paris

definitely "flip along Axis" - thats what I use the scale tool for.

fog - I never really got the hang of it. allthough I once used it, to disguise the end of a city model so that the buildings vanished in fog. quite a nice effect

the auto-save function - it saved my life quite a few times, when I simply forgot to save and got an unexpected bug splat. but it was the cause to crash SketchUp with big models at least as often too. would it be possible (for SU7) to have that function as a different processing thread? or is it possible to just save changes and not the whole file?

things like the instructor - I don't use it. but I did; and it showed me quite some new features (especially some modifier keys I was not aware of, like the ones for the eraser tool). I think it is definitely a good thing to learn SketchUp.

I totally agree with kwistenbiebel: inches... what a silly thing, really

thomthom

@alan fraser said:

I'm not sure about the least used function, but I can tell you what my most hated function is....the default template with Bryce in it.

I reckon at least 90% of all models submitted to the FormFonts Exchange have to be purged of Bryce and his materials before I can pass them onto the site. I've killed his effigy so many times it's a wonder the guy hasn't dropped stone dead by now.

I took him out last week when I decided to set up a custom office template. No more Bruce, no more Boulder CO, no more "Architectural Units", no more resource hogging 3px outline by default.

I think Fog is high up on the list of not used functions.

As oppose to many others I find FLip along very useful. It mirrors objects around itself without offsetting the object as oppose to what Scale -1 does. Two different methods of mirror for different purposes.

I think my most use feature, except the modelling tools them self is Purge. Purge is my religion.

remus

Where to start:
-delete all guides
-layers
-fog
-photo match
-2 point perspective
-flip along axis

Lots of them are just because ive never really had the need of them, others are because i didnt know they existed until very recently.

oh, and the default template, thats the first thing to go on a new SU install.

Alan Fraser

I'm not sure about the least used function, but I can tell you what my most hated function is....the default template with Bryce in it.

I reckon at least 90% of all models submitted to the FormFonts Exchange have to be purged of Bryce and his materials before I can pass them onto the site. I've killed his effigy so many times it's a wonder the poor guy hasn't dropped stone dead by now.

kwistenbiebel

Remus,

It's odd you don't use 'layers' as I just can't live without some decent layering to overcome SU's disability to have 'high poly' on screen.
You know, trees on layer 'trees', cars, etc...

remus

I would use them more if i needed to, but fortunately for me i rarely do large models, its more small producty type things.

plot-paris

@thomthom said:

As oppose to many others I find FLip along very useful. It mirrors objects around itself without offsetting the object as oppose to what Scale -1 does.

for that I press Ctrl, when scaling to -1; that scales arround the centre and therefore does the ame as "flip along axes".
I would just like to have one less entry in the context menue

@ remus:

I even assigned a keyboard shortcut to "Delete all Guides" honestly, I use it all the time, cause I use guides quite often during modelling process.

2 point perspective is very useful to get all vertical lines parallel. thats how you should present images of buildings ideally, unless the perspective effect is a particular desing element. you will find most images of architecture photographers corrected in post-pro to have all verticals aligned.

I used to correct my SketchUp exports in photoshop until I realised there is a 2 point perspective available

about photo match: I HATE it! I try to use it every now and then to match an existing model to a photo. I allways end up using the photo as a watermark and roughly aligning the view, because photo match failed me again (perhaps I simply don't know how to use it properly though)

oh, and kwistenbiebel is right. you should start using layers. the satisfaction of switching off the roof or outer walls or all the trees - in a perfectly structured model - is something wonderful

david_h

It mostly has to do with what uses SU for. Since I model for other types of presentation I rarely use the STYLES--especially the preloaded color ones. UGH!!!! I can't imagine a situation where anyone would use them. . .

Jitters & Extensions
DIMS AND TEXT. .once in a while
LAYOUT!!!! Needs more work
OUTLINER. . .unitl it works better with editing and Hiding Nested objects, I have no use for it.
SANDBOX. . .rarely--but its okay

I have about 975,000 plugins and I think I use about 7.

Anssi

I have a collection of a zillion components, and I almost never use them, the same with Rubies, except about three.
Styles
Inches
Export file formats except JPG, PDF and DWG
Dimensions very seldom.
I never need an area in square millimeters-square meters would be good (when using mm as the model unit)
I have toyed with Fog about two times, and Layout about the same.
Animation-it generally just distracts people or makes them seasick.

Anssi

remus

Plot, im not arguing that these arent all useful features, its just that i dont have any need for them the vast majority of the time.

Layers for example, when ive needed them they are really good, but i just dont need to use them most of the time, so i dont bother.

kwistenbiebel

I forgot 'Da' least used function of SU (for me).
For sale, as it is never used: Layout !

As a note: If someone would be smart enough to pop the 'most used' features question, I'll have my answer ready: "Ctrl-Z" and "Ctrl-S" for sure