I tried out FAK today on Vista SU 8 M2 The tool (FAK [FollowMeAndKeep]) you refer too. works well with helix spring for a slide. Good ideal. I also agree with you all now about the curve problem. [image: eTt2_pic_0007.jpg]

@jean lemire said: Hi Peter, hi folks. See this page in SketchUp help: http://support.google.com/sketchup/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=94897 Just ideas. Doh! Thanks Jean. I am sure I've done that before but left the method unused for too long. Peter

Just to the right of the racks you can see the original imported png file, which has the negative elements already depicted as transparent. I simply imported this (as an image), exploded it, then grouped it so it wouldn't stick to anything else. I had decided on a nominal shelf height of 5', so I imported the image 10' high...as it's double-stacked. All I did then was trace a rectangle over the part of the image that represents the open front. I then measured the depth of the side image and Push/Pulled the drawn rectangle the same distance. You then have a box that is exactly the same size as the elements in the image, ready to take the projected textures. Projecting the textures is simply a case of lining up the different elements on the image with their respective sides, sampling them (Paint Bucket + Alt) the painting onto that side. Obviously, this involves rotating the image (or copies of it) 90° so that you have front and side elevations + plan. You'll also notice that the planking on the image is a bit short for the shelf itself, so the copy that lay flat over the top of the box was stretched to make it fit. I have deleted the top surface of the box, as it's not needed when they are stacked...although I guess you could make a separate top shelf component with a cover on, if it's needed. PS I didn't use SU to produce the original image; I simply drew them directly in CorelDraw and exported a transparent png without bothering to create an original hi-res 3D version, complete with rivets. It's perfectly possible to use SU...you'd just have to do a load of post-processing to composite the different elevations and remove the negative parts.

Eric Sorry did not read your post close enough. I was not " selecting everything in the problem area"

It's sort of a GIGO thing.

@dave r said: There's no dialog missing from the MatchPhoto box. With V8 it got moved to the Styles>Settings dialog. I suppose the help files haven't been updated. Thanks - at least I found it. LOL

Very anoying that there was no good warning. I wouldn't have updated downloaded and installed the update. Anyone have a link to instructions for completely removing the updated and reinstalling the old version. Windows 7 64bit machine? the simplie control panel unistall doesn't get the job done. Thanks,

@unknownuser said: scf is going to be dead now.. no more 'how do i install fredoscale etc

Rectangle and 1/4 circle [image: rMPe_pic_0003.jpg] Select all Rectangle edges then follow me tool [image: GtQI_pic_0002.jpg] Use windows_soften edges [image: M1uo_pic_0001.jpg]

OK thanks I will give it a go. @gilles said: Explose your component then type G (short key for component) then choose glue to horizontal, check the position of the axis and create. Done.

@unknownuser said: @ajdesign said: how does everyone else approach basic 2d line work? i guess that question could be interpreted a few different ways but.. on the job site when i need some quick layout lines or measurements or what not, i'll often use top view with wire frame on.. but that's real basic stuff.. what do you want to accomplish? Jeff,I need to develop the components of these models and get my students make them. I will try wireframe mode in top view, seems like a simple way to approach things. Thanks

@unknownuser said: This is pretty much the case with SU vs. any program I've worked with. SU file sizes are always much larger (and the save times are much slower which compounds the problem). I just trying to bring in a very high poly flower/vase combo yesterday. The 3ds Max file is 26mb (pretty big for a flower but manageable). After I was finally able to bring it into SU as a .dae file and reduced the texture size the SU file (containing ONLY the flower/vase) is 244 mb. Obviously that won't be going into my scene any time soon - you can imagine the save times. -Brodie I agree in all that you are saying. A small file that takes a second or two to open in Autocad, takes more than a minute to load in SU. Imagine that this file is only max 5% of the finished drawing. This might give me a load time of 20 minutes.

I can get you part way there perhaps. I'd start with some normal reflections and then use Filter -> Liquify for the warping. As for the lines, I'm not sure. If you have any sort of 3d model perhaps you could model the lines and create a sort of mask in PS. -Brodie

These things can be achieved with dynamic components. They are only available in the Pro version however (v. 7 and later). See an example (should be on your computer with the SU install, too). Select the fence and start scaling it horizontally. When you release, the number of the wooden pieces will grow. Fnce.skp

Here is a third exercise (model @ 3D-Warehouse), dedicated to the new SketchUcation layout... [image: 0Dvd_SketchUcation_puzzle.jpg] And a little video with one possible solution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U_RJTithw4

Hi Jean Yep I found the same ,but was hoping for something a bit more detailed I know I'm being lazy and cheeky, maybe I have to draw it myself I was just hoping to do it quicker Time to get my Artisan head on Thanks Dean

Yes it moves the face created by the offset using a transform with results in an autofold creating the bevel.

@jean lemire said: Hi folks. See this SU file for ideas. Great work! That is actually what I was looking for - don't know why I did think of it myself since I'm not a beginner - but I didn't so - Thanks! I did find a great plugin on the way anyway

thank you cotty. weld works really well and I need to read up more on coplanar (and everything else). thanks again

Yes, I know about painting a group and the "windshield phenomenon" (the default faces will take color and the colored faces will not), but I did not know that the group acquires its own default color. You learn something every day!