So, the suggestions above don't give you a good way to do it? I can see if the points are not enough for a good mesh, it is probably no use to place each on in SU 3d. For that matter a CAD app might be easier to layout the contours with. Good luck. We would like to see how this process develops--although I usually start with contours from a Civil myself (new stuff has to be made up on top of that).

If you are importing these from other file types make sure you get the options 'units' set right. For example, importing in 'mm' when the original file is in 'm' will make the SKP model 1/1000 its proper size - Sketchup/OpenGL can't create very tiny facets, so some bits might be 'lost' in translation. Similarly importing in 'm' when it's originally in 'mm' can have the equivalent issue, with very enormous geometry failing to form too. Assuming the Units size is correct... The clipping-plane issue can also results from having geometry that is far away from the model's origin. Importing a DWG/DXF and 'keeping the origin' in the import-options can put the imported objects miles from the origin, then OpenGL can fail to render it properly. Even if you import CAD data ignoring the CAD-origin then it can still have issues. For example, if a 'Block' has been made in the CAD file it is imported as a 'Component' in the SKP. That Component's origin is the same as the Block's. Some sloppy CAD users make blocks in their files with the geometry miles from [0,0,0], BUT accept [0,0,0] as the Block's origin. Therefore although the Component's geometry appears near the SKP origin its insertion-point id miles away - this has the same clipping-plane effect since the bounds of the model are unnecessarily enlarged. Zoom Extents will show weird model bounds issues. This can be resolved by using Model Info > Components > Show axes ON. You might see axes-markers miles away from the origin... Select an imported Component-instance, right-click context-menu and use 'Change Axes', pick a new logical insertion point for the axes, probably on the object's geometry corner etc. Changing the insertion point does not shift existing instances, but new ones will now attach to the cursor sensibly as you place them... Recheck with Zoom Extents and/or the clipping-plane issue... if it still exists try changing the axes of other components until all are sensibly located and the issue is abated.

Hi, Paul. Thanks for this. May I add some comments that I hope are helpful. Of course, you may already know this: In the US, a lot of brickwork is done with the modular face brick. This is a brick 2 1/4" x 3 5/8" x 7 5/8", nominally 2x4x8. Using 3/8" standard joint thickness, 3 bricks and 3 joints is 8" vertical. Horizontally, you can lay out a wall and plan your openings on 8" multiples. And using this mnemonic: 8", Odd+4", Even, Even+8". Odd+4 would be like 1 foot, 4 inches, or 3 feet, 4 inches. Even would be like 2 feet, and Even+8 would be like 2 feet, 8 inches.

Hi, bntheman: Thanks for replying, and, heh, reaffirming that at least I could help in some small way. I wish you good fortune hereforward. I suspect that would be the latest maintenance release, but I am not sure if it addresses any sandbox issues. However, if you got it to install ok, then chances are good you won't see any problems.

Gai! You are most awesome. I assumed I needed to adjust my approach and had imagined either a group or component. I had seen a video on the difference between the two, but your description makes it clear how to use components efficiently. Got it. Thanks very much. Although I'm a newbie using SU as a productive tool, I've played with it over the years and have been developing designs with Chief Architect--a 3D program for the past 12yrs. I've now decided to learn SU and Revit--at the same time, because I'm tired of using a 2nd rate 3D Architectural program. I catching on to the SU basics, but because I'm production oriented, I'm yearning for best methodology. I'm combing around for all the videos I can to catch-up, but sometimes I don't know how to define what I'm looking for. Thanks for clarifying, I really appreciate it. Zowie

I think this: If reload component is supposed to work better... Then make a unique copy of your components in a copy of the file where they still exist (the "unique" part is optional, I guess, if you make a whole new file). Just pare that component down to something that can be pasted in place--still a component with the same axes as the original. Paste this new small unique component "in place" into the big landscape file, and then reload it with the full component. (You have to "Save As" the good components meanwhile, so you have the reload copies).

mitcorb & Gaieus, Ok I changed to 4x and now have straight lines. Thanks so much!

I think that's the case. I haven't had any issues that way on my Mac but then I set myself up as the administrator from the git go.

just a concept There are not booleans in V8 Pro ? So make a tool like this : it's only one solid ! Cylinders can be anything ! So you can make somme Boolean differences [image: IB1Y_concept.jpg] Handle can be anything following tastes [image: Poignee_ivoire_CollBaldisseri_.jpg]

2D *.SKP, *.DWG, *.DXF Plan, Elevation, Front, Rear I would start from here... http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php

Cool tutorial of retouch image!

Yes, welcome.

I've been wondering about a dynamic mannequin, too. I think you could use the SET function in an onclick event to cycle through a list of angles. But also, be able to select poses from a drop-down list at the same time. I'll try to make a simplified example as a test. To get this to work, I'm assuming a fairly deep nesting may be needed. I already have some code that saves/restores DC attributes to a texttext file. Do you have a model made already to play around with?

Will do, and see if it makes any difference.

To deform faces, I found very useful, fast and simple to use this tool: TGI3D: move [image: ve3typ.png] It is much more better then LSS deformation functions which are too slow (and create extra group, which is not needed in my case)

That's a little more of a challenge. For that mug I think I would use Shape Bender. On the other hand, is there a good reason for using 3D geometry for drawing the mug over using a material?

Yes, something similar - if you mean the previous topic. In the last post I speak about 3 strings, like you have a phone cable, so there are 3 strings. Maybe I do not choose right words, English is not my native language. But I think, I should try something. Fredo Scale has twisting tool. But I did not succeed to twist the tubes (paralel ones). I made a group of 4 pipes and tried to twist them. Should it work? Edit: Once I suceed just a little bit. I exploded the group and selected all tubes. Then I twisted them, but just a little bit. Now I cannot succeed nor a bit. But I doubt that this tool would twist more times, like 9999° Edit2: So it is a kind of twist which is not possible to repeat more times. The object either de-twist itself or it get strange kind of twist, not like the wires of cable...

Thank you, sir.

@dave r said: It isn't a bug just because you didn't expect the behavior. Y'what! If it doesn't work exactly the way I want it to, that's a bug. Why yes, I am the centre of the 'verse, thank you.