Quickest/Easiest Way to Create a Sphere?

cmartin · 22 Mar 2013, 18:10

Without using an additional plugin, what is the quickest/easiest way to create a sphere?
When I try to get my students to do a sphere, we create a flat circle then create another vertical circle, but first we have to find the center on the flat circle to place the vertical circle. And finding the center is sometimes difficult. I tell them to draw a line in the middle of the circle, but sometimes even that is very difficult because by default, sketchup doesn't always draw the line in the middle. Sometimes its off-center.

Rich O Brien · 22 Mar 2013, 18:18

Hovering with the Circle tool active on an already drawn circle you should find the 'centre point' interference quickly.

Then move along an inferenced axis and draw the second circle.

[web 100%,600:3omswsgo]http://www.screenr.com/Nab7[/web:3omswsgo]

Box · 22 Mar 2013, 19:00

I wanted to test Screenr, mentioned in another thread so here is my way of doing it.
I can't for the life of me make it show in the post though and I'm sure by posting this like I'm giving everyone access to my bank accounts and underwear draw.

302 Found

(www.screenr.com)

I see now Rich it's not just me.

Rich O Brien · 22 Mar 2013, 19:06

[web 100%,400:3uh8lsvn]http://www.screenr.com/embed/Nab7[/web:3uh8lsvn]

Box · 22 Mar 2013, 19:09

Ok ok, the irish win, but I did drink a whole pint while doing it.

So, how?

Rich O Brien · 22 Mar 2013, 19:13

The Screenr sites gives you this....

....note the height of 396

Click the Ruby BBcode button then the Insert Website button and put the direct video link in there and place the height from the iframe after the 100%

[ruby][web 100%,396]http://www.screenr.com/embed/Nab7[/web][/ruby]

...don't ask me why this works as I figured it out while you were drinking.

Box · 22 Mar 2013, 19:28

I think it's your Irish skills, or on the off chance perhaps your admin status, but it won't let me use that method. I even copied the code from yours and changed the one letter of the file name. Big red letters telling me I can't use certain BB Code.

Rich O Brien · 22 Mar 2013, 19:46

Ooops, I do forget about the extra goodies I have at my disposal.

Try just the website insertion button.

Box · 22 Mar 2013, 19:59

Tried everything I could think of, no good. I guess you could transfer it to youtube and do it that way but it defeats the porpoise.
Shame, I've been looking for an easy vid grab that I can use from anywhere.

I think we may have hijacked this thread enough now. But while I've got you ......

Rich O Brien · 22 Mar 2013, 20:19

Screenr allows immediate upload to YT.

I'll look into adding a Screenr bbcode but not for all member levels as iframe insertion is a security risk.

Box · 22 Mar 2013, 20:21

Yep I saw the YT link, but it's another step and I don't want a YT account.

Gaieus · 23 Mar 2013, 08:47

Yes, if you start it from the origin, it is easier. But finding the centre of the circle is not too hard either if you hover over the perimeter a bit first.

This is my shot at it

Rich O Brien · 23 Mar 2013, 08:52

Nice soundtrack.

Sent from my iPad

dukejazz · 23 Mar 2013, 10:19

Any place that not at the origin

Box · 23 Mar 2013, 13:57

I think we have glossed over the main issue in Chris' question, they are having trouble getting the second circle in the centre of the first. This is an inferencing issue.
I did this vid for finding the centre point.

302 Found

(screenr.com)

olishea · 23 Mar 2013, 15:31

Use Set Center Point plugin. Sorry I just saw where you say "without additional plugin"

Jean Lemire · 23 Mar 2013, 16:06

Hi folks.

Once you know the trick it shall takes less than 10 seconds to create a sphere.

Read all the text notes in this sketchUp file for ideas:

Sphere quick drawing.skp

Box · 23 Mar 2013, 16:12

@cmartin said:

we create a flat circle then create another vertical circle, but first we have to find the center on the flat circle to place the vertical circle. And finding the center is sometimes difficult. I tell them to draw a line in the middle of the circle, but sometimes even that is very difficult because by default, sketchup doesn't always draw the line in the middle. Sometimes its off-center.

I've highlighted what seems to be the main issue. They know how to create the sphere, it's the alignment that has them confused, which is what I addressed in my second video.

dukejazz · 23 Mar 2013, 21:48

@unknownuser said:

by cmartin » Yesterday, 11:10 am

I try to get my students to do a sphere, we create a flat circle then create another vertical circle, but first we have to find the center on the flat circle to place the vertical circle. And finding the center is sometimes difficult. I tell them to draw a line in the middle of the circle, but sometimes even that is very difficult because by default, sketchup doesn't always draw the line in the middle. Sometimes its off-center.

Have them display crosshairs

dukejazz · 25 Mar 2013, 12:22

Easiest and fastest way yet
only two tools were used with crosshair display on:

2 times circle tool used
2 times follow-me tool were used to touch a same aline tangent points
that's it done.