Thanks Gaieus I will try that.

thanks alot I agree I use the mouse for Orbit so you key strokes seem to make alot of sence to me.

There are some issues like that with this file. It's kind of hard to understand exactly what Cathy has in mind with this. The scale also seems to be strange or maybe there isn't one.

for me, i do all my modeling on the default 'layer 0', then move groups, components, or collections of them to particular layers, as required. i often have a roof framing, floor framing, timber, foundation, footer, accessories (furniture, people, etc.), grid, layers, etc., as required. i do like the outliner, but depending on what you are modeling it can be maddening once you get into 20-30 scenes setup for layout.

Voodoo? Edit: re-upload and it works.

The ruby dpot is back so here is the link to the tube along path plugin: http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/plugin_details.php?id=453

is there any way i could time the creation of the dynamic component?

i think the better way to go with sketchup would be sub-d modeling, instead of nurbs... maybe a combination of both like t-splines. But i think a clean polygonal model would be better for most of the sketchup users. But you're right, this is a thing that should definitely be improved in Sketchup and i really hope to see sub-d in sketchup's future...

Well Akram, I would love to see more images of this project, it is really interesting. So now you've teased us please post more Cheers Dale

For info: http://www.ciri.org.nz/bendworks/bending.pdf Depending on where you apply fredo's bend tool, (neutral fiber) you come close to real deformation.

I have opend a SimFonIA thread - http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=46496&p=415716#p415716 My experience with SAT will be posted there.

You could have also simply opened the group for editing and done it.

Don't know this one [flash=560,315:ow574vca]http://www.youtube.com/v/tjQbQEXuonc[/flash:ow574vca]

I don't think there is anything available. However, I know that I could utilize the Pro OBJ exporter to do this... If you want to you can PM me about it... but it would probably involve $... PS: Are the materials by just face or group/instance [or both] ?

Special thanks to Dave Richards for going beyond the call of duty to explode my rigidly grouped SU Mind. As Donald Rumsfeld famously said, one can arrive at a perfectly logical conclusion from a wrong assumption. For me that assumption was to group, group, group (avoids the nastiness of merged geometry). While that served my purposes allowing me to accomplish certain things, in the end it was my downfall. Making components of everything is a superior way of grouping and a much more efficient way of working in SU. That, and avoiding the pitfalls of laziness by under-estimating the power and range of SU's native tools. Thanks, Dave! folding dolly.avi

@snowy said: well im learning DC myself atm, but if im correct u need place the colors straight into ur DC. Like the DC car below they solve it with hidden balls, but u can also make some small squares and give those the textures u want. Place them into ur component on a place where it's out of sight. (like really small squares 1x1 mm) like i told im learning it myself so might forget some important info but hope this will help. Thanks, will try that

Super! Thanks a lot Tig, i have also found out that the plugin guide tools (insert components at Cpoint) is so helpfull. But it seems your method is more simple. thanks,

I'm pretty easy to please...

Which panels? Most of them would be best modeled as a small section copied to make an array of the desired size. The panel called Causeway would be the easiest to do but I'll guess you're after one of the others. It would actually probably be best to create a seamless texture and insinuate the panels rather than using geometry.