Behavior: shadows_face_sun

[tpoz]

Hello everyone!
I have a question about behavior. I am trying to draw a 2d component and have it follow the sun using .shadows_face_sun. I can't seem to make it follow the sun.
Here is some code:

shruw = 15
shruh = 20
shr0 = [shruw/2,0,0]
shr1 = [-shruw/2,0,0]
shr2 = [-shruw/2,0,shruh]
shr3 = [shruw/2,0,shruh]

point = Geom;;Point3d 0,0,0
transform = Geom;;Transformation.new point
trees = model.definitions.add("MyShrub")
shrubbie = trees.entities.add_face(shr0, shr1, shr2, shr3)
shrubbie.material = "ForestGreen"
shrubbie.back_material = "ForestGreen"

model.active_entities.add_instance(trees, transform)
model.active_view.zoom_extents
trees.behavior.shadows_face_sun = true

I've tried a few other things like

behavior = model.definitions[0].behavior
 beehive = behavior.always_face_camera = true

I think I am using the definition wrong or something when i use behavior.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Laura

[thomthom]

Have you checked the definition you get when you use model.definitions["MyShrub"] ?
In any case, just use the name if you know it.

behavior = model.definitions["MyShrub"].behavior

[RickW]

You are aware that shadows_face_sun does not affect the representation of the component instance itself, but only its shadows, right? In other words, the instance will not rotate to follow the sun; only the shadows will change when the sun changes while the instance remains static.

[thomthom]

Think there was a DC that followed the sun...

[thomthom]

DCs got it built in:
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=115749
SUNANGLE()

not sure if it auto updates though...

[TIG]

There are several plugins that get the sun's position [e.g. Jim's suntool.rb].
You need to find it and use it to determine you component's rotation in 3D ?
Could be a DC [sunangle_function.skp etc on 3DWarehouse] or a Component with attached an observer that finds the sun an rotates it to suit - triggered by some event - like a change of the view ?

[RickW]

@tig said:

...or a Component with attached an observer that finds the sun an rotates it to suit - triggered by some event - like a change of the view ?

or a ShadowInfoObserver

[TIG]

I was talking out the top of my head again...

[tpoz]

Hey,
It turns out that thomthom's first suggestion was the one!
I thought I had tried that, thanks for the posts everyone!

Laura