you need putonlayer.rb and layerchange.rb plugins. groups+components+putonlayer+layerchange = perfect control layers.

Hi Greg, here is "BezierSpline.rb"; the most advanced and complex bezier tool you can get. As for layers; yes, try to use them extensively. The most importand things however; [list=][]always model everying on the default Layer 0; []only move grouped geometry (or components) to other layers (thus even your rectangle ground plane); [*]create several layers to control visibility and if you have a really big and heavy model, try to keep only the items (layers) that are relevant at your current work turned on[/list] As for ram and processor; both are important at computing geometry. Also, leave shadows and colours/textures turned off while modeling to save on video card memory. Search these forums for these hardware issues, there are a ton of discussions about them.

Nice.

Thanks for the compliments. Does anyone have any tricks to create a deceptive SU 6x0 in their models? Cheers

Thanks for that, very helpful. The horizontal weatherboarding lines were done in a hurry and some ended up stood off the surface by an inch in the plane of the window frames rather than on the surface of the walls. Could to better if I tried. I didn't know about front and back surfaces so thanks for that. I've been looking for a problem with the materials or something like that to explain the colour difference! Yes I built it slightly oddly. Basically I built a plain box then fitted an oak frame the same size into it so there will be coincident faces and lines that aren't merged properly. That's ok for my purposes. I'm doing ths model because I need to get approval from my local council to build it. They only want 50:1 elevation drawings and an isometric sketch to approve the appearance. Sketchup's sketchy line styles will be great for the isometric. Once the basic style is approved I'll probably go back to an earlier version which has the frame seperate to help with the design of that. Currently the roof has no structure. Regards, Colin

It isnt available native in SU, but there is a plugin called 'nudge'that will let you do this. See the link below. http://www.smustard.com/script/Nudge

I would export the gemetry as 3DS , fire up Blender and before doing anything I would have a look at this fantastic tutorial . It sounds very similar to the scale you are working in http://yorik.orgfree.com/tutorials/urbandesign-blender.html

Beginning of the secrets of sculptures

Boofredlay - Thanks for that. It's not great but it gives me a great starting point. I am trying to build the 123 but my sketchup experience is limited to Architectural models where the sides and corners are usually flat or simple curves. This the first attempt at a complex, multi curved object. Not sure how it's going. I am trying to use the follow me tool but i can already tell it's not exactly right. I need this for a retirment gift for my father in June (after 30+ years) from the Airforce. He's worked on 4 planes and I am trying to group together and have painted by a local artist. We've agreed a fee based on me providing the finished perspective. So, I am going to continue with this and hope it works out. If anyone has tips or is willing to help with a section (ie, the wings, nose, tail, ect.) please let me know. I have attached the file to date, plus the image I proveded the artist for his estimate (minus the 123 + background). The 123 will be the first plane in the line so it needs to be fairly nice - which makes my life more difficult. Thanks for the help (if any) in advance. I'll try to post updates I a move along. Joe Work in progress [image: 7lG9_option1.jpg]

Might this resource be something that would satisfy your BIM needs? IFC2SKP I haven't personally used it, but from the website description, it sounds like it might be of use to you. Regards, Taff

You should start with these settings because every scene can have its unique settings which is inherited when a new scene is created. So if you already have your scenes, you should do this setting at every scene and update it.

Do you mean that when trying to draw a line between two points, the line itself is not created or there is no face created when the line is drawn? There is a glitch in SU when it comes to very small models; under about 1/16" it won't create faces properly. The general workaround is to draw your geometry in a bigger scale (in metric it's easy, say 10 times bigger) and after you finished, scale your model back to the desired size.

Dear all, It seems fredo has developed the perfect tool which makes the tip of the Eraser Tool unnecessary: [Plugin] HoverSelect 1.1d - Multi-selection of Edges SketchUp is in the way to become a Fredoogle product *s

If the hidden lines are Coplanar and are not therefore required for face retention you can remove them using a tool like tt's CleanUp. Then they don't export as they don't exist. BUT if a hidden line is needed by the faces then moving them onto their own layer [ON/OFF] in the SKP lets you see them in the CAD version on a separate ON/OFF layer... BUT if they are needed by faces they'll be replicated in the faces' layer too ? So if your SKP contains unneeded hidden lines you can remove them in the SKP and export to CAD. BUT if your SKP's faces need those hidden lines, then even moving them onto their own OFF layer in the SKP will not prevent them from getting duplicated on the face's layer in the CAD version ! Just because a line is hidden it doesn't mean it is not needed ! If you give a clear outline of your workflow, intentions, hopes and aspirations we might advise further...

Maybe that's the reason @unknownuser said: Backup March 12 restored Sent at: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:26 pm From: Coen Naninck To: Registered users Dear SCF user, Unfortunately because of a bug in the forum software we experienced major technical problems that were irreversible. Our solution was to restore a server backup made yesterday, March 12th. Because of this, we lost 68 newly registered members. If you know any of these members or see questions in other boards about this (for example PushPullBar, Google Groups, Etc.) please notify these people of the backup restoration and that they can safely re-register here. We apologize for this issue, but are happy it has been resolved now.

IIRC, there is something along those lines among the "Solid" tools of SU 8 Pro, too.

it is simply a case of writing it into the VCB, so for your line you would write 3' 4 15/16" hope that helps

Thanks, Remus - but I don't really use Windows Explorer for anything really.