Cheers Dave, yeah that's what I do to change it back. Sometime when you're churning away you forget you've change the axis orientation which affects groups and components made at this time.... maybe it's something for thomthom's axis tools.... say a context click and maybe a 'reset axis orientation around components axis location'...? That would be cool. Thom?

I don't know about Maxwell but it seems to be a bit tricky. Searched Sketchucation and found: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=44406 Maybe that helps. Good luck.

Welcome the internet is only a stone throw away

Hi, terenk: Gaieus is welcoming you and suggesting that you update your profile to indicate the version of Sketchup, so that when you might have questions, those who help you will know, as sometimes a difficulty may be related to the version. Anyway, explore the forum a bit.

I feel your pain and sympathize with you. Often when I talk to woodworkers about using SketchUp they tell me that they would make components of things that have multiples in the model such as the legs and aprons of a table. The top, on the other hand would be made into a group because there's only one top. That's fine, I guess. But in my work, there wouldn't be just one table top. The entire table model would get copied off to one side and an exploded view created from that copy. If the top needs to be edited after the exploded view and I had made it a group, I would have to either edit both copies or edit one and copy it to replace the other. Since I would make the top a component, I don't even have to think about it. [image: 5785139027_a35496db66_z.jpg] Yes, you can get snagged by the Make Unique but with a little practice it becomes second nature. Of course there's also the old saying, "Don't draw anything twice." Components can be saved out into a library for future use so that makes them a "labor saving device."

Hi, lamesh: You asked for advice regarding Sketchyphysics. My advice: Persevere. Read the SP subforum, check out the FAQ, Watch the YouTube videos. Dive in, and ask questions. There are several folks with plenty of insight there.

Yes, that practically automates that "stretching" function. I have also used this rounding method - although learnt from my experiences and if I use it again, will only use at the very end next time. Here are some images: https://picasaweb.google.com/116030646877186188585/Bazilika I even made custom materials for the pillars so that after rounding the pillars and wrapping the material around the pillars, the two ends of the material matched seamlessly. Now imagine when you need to modify something in such a model. I really hated my colleague sometimes.

Sekta, how did you get on with Unfold? I was going to use Flattery but wondered if you'd made anything up yet?

Thanks guys, especially Allen for such great tute' much appreciated Stephen

Is there a question? Or are you just asking for approval? If there's a question, how about asking it? And it would help if you posted an example, too. Either upload the SKP or at least a screen shot of what you've got.

What graphics card do you have , had trouble any other programs, Mac Pro , IMac ,Mac book pro ?

Hi Simon, When importing a dwg/dxf file, do not miss the import options (bottom right of the file browsing window when importing). There you need to set the correct unit the original file was modelled in. [image: dwgdxf.png] Also, when you are at it, some dwg/dxf files contain geographical data. Best is to uncheck "Preserve drawing origin" below the units settings as SU may import the cad file many kilometres/miles from the origin thus causing serious head-aches with clipping and other issues.

@Pete I was afraid that was going to be the answer I still haven't gotten the knack of creating "grunged" metals and paint in Thea's Material Editor. @Gaieus Interesting: I'll take a closer look at this. Thank you. It looks like I'll stick with instancing vegetation models and using Pete's metal materials in Thea. @simon The tutorial is just way out of my league. I have Genetica, but never learned how to use it properly. The tutorial program appears to be even more "professional".

AH YES!!!!! Thank you, this had me going in circles......

Are you using the default blue-gray background color? I find that the green protractors and lines are particularly difficult to see against it. I have my background set to white and that works for me.

There's a plugin that will create a cut list and export a file that can be read in CutList Plus which does the optimization. Look here.

Do I get extra points for being able to laugh at myself?

Ha, I could not agree more!

Yes, that script works quite well but it can also be useful to know how to do it with the native tools, too.

you're looking for add section cut-face. http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=20564