Collada export files

rads2012

Hi there,

I am exporting sketchup models as collada (.dae) files and using these to import into apples recently released ibooks author software (which creates interactive ibooks for the iPad).

The models import easily and work great with the programme (and look stunning when transferred to an iPad) however I have found one problem and that I cannot fine a way of making the model appear (or start) from a specific angle - for example if I import a collada file of an aeroplane into the ibooks author software and transfer it to the iPad, when you open the page on the iPad the aeroplane could be upside down.

I am sure there must be a setting or way that you position a model in sketch up that allows you to determine which way or orientation the model opens.

Any help gratefully appreciated (please note I work on a mac).

Cheers

Stuart

Gaieus

Hi Stuart (and welcome),

Does this happen with very file or just with some? How are the axes going in these models? Is the solid blue axis going up (as it should)? Maybe the axes were modified. What happens if you right click on an axis and "Reset" is an active option?

rads2012

Hi Gai,

It just seems random how the collada files open up in iPad ibooks. The axes have not been modified - blue goes up.

Not too sure what you mean about resetting - don't have the option on a mac.

Cheers for your help - like the forum.

Stuart

TIG

A SUp Collada .dae file contains geometry/material information, but NOT 'view' details [such a file CAN theoretically contain lights/camera/scenes etc, but SUp doesn't export these with .dae].
You must therefore set the 'view' in the receiving application.
Can you do that with the tool you are using ?
A SUp .kmz file does include camera data - http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=218587#p218587 covers some of this... As it's a zip archive it contains the same .dae file, and a .kml file that has the Scenes' 'LookAt' data... can you use this somehow ?

TIG

You could try pasting a camera into the .dae [edit it with Notepad++ or similar plain-text editor]


<camera name="eyepoint">
 <optics>
  <technique_common>
   <perspective>
    <yfov>45</yfov>
    <aspect_ratio>1.33333</aspect_ratio>
    <znear>0.1</znear>
    <zfar>1000.0</zfar>
   </perspective>
  </technique_common>
 </optics>
</camera>

add the value for the Sketchup.active_model.active_view.camera.fov
add aspect_ratio as Sketchup.active_model.active_view.camera.aspect_ratio IF it's set, BUT if it's not [==0.0] then use say 1.33333 ?
Then add znear and zfar set the view limits in 'current units'.
Paste the code inside the main .dae files code here near the end [?this_is_a_guess?]
</scene>
HERE
</COLLADA>
I don't have the faintest idea what I'm doing but it might work
???