Thanks chris. I think I get it. @chris fullmer said: So then when you navigate in SketchUp, it looks like a photoreal model that you navigating around. Oh boy! p

LayOut is the app you use for scaled drawings.

OK, I think I've figured out what was happening: I reset the workspace, and it returned to normal - briefly! It seems there must have been a space in the search box (which I didn't see, of course) which selected only the objects that had a space in the name. Still, what is the logic behind white on white text (if that's what it is) or disappearing the text of objects that are within the search criteria? This is extremely bizarre and unhelpful behaviour. If anyone understands the rationale behind this, I'd love to hear it.

@dave r said: Is there any chance you could upload the SKP file with the imported DXF? I gave up on the idea of directly projecting the DXF lines, and instead used the Circle tool to match the curves. Even the SU curves were difficult to work with. After I clipped off the part of an ellipse I wanted, I found that sometimes the Selection tool finds individual edges, and other times it finds the whole curve. What's up with that? Anyway I'm past the imported curve hurdle, but now I'm having difficulty skinning the curves. The SU drawing file is linked in the Curviloft post dated 12/15/10. The original imported lines are on the None layer.

Probably late but here is approach. Model from top down using the top's cruciform and follow me tool to establish staring roof profile, measure photos to get other lower dimensions. I could not get enough info from the pics to get a consistent set of dimensions and could not tell for them any thing about spouting and the lower edge over lap and the diagonal from the top of the " gambrel" comapred to photo. [image: JJOz_rooftest.jpg]

Hi folks. You can also use the Move Tool after doing a carefull selection of the stile inside the component definition. Moving the selection will then automatically stretch all edges connected to it. However, if the window component is composed of subcomponents, this can become a bit tedious. Just ideas.

Also you can do fine line work in Adobe illustrator or PhotoShop and then import to sketchup.

@pdwyer said: :thumb: Nice idea!

Blender and SU are different animals. The loop select/create feature in Blender is definitely a great option but in SU it would create a lot of geometry. SU isn't something geared around topology and quads. If you trial the tgi plugin you'll see the impact these cross cut sections have when you adopt a Blender like workflow. Models file size grow rapidly as you increase the vertices. A small price to pay when you consider how intuitive SU is. Blender is truly an amazing app but it's got a big learning curve. There is a member here who absolutely rocks at Blender and his output has encouraged me to learn it. Currently dissecting the 'For Dummies' book and tutorials. But I wouldn't wish for SU to change anyway!

2d wireframe?

Hi Gigi, Please, make sure that you enable browser cookies first of all. If you use Internet Explorer, also make sure that your privacy/security settings for Internet browsing are not set too high (as in such cases IE refuses cookies). Also see if your firewall or virus software (like Norton) is blocking SCF for some reason. If you still have problems with logging in, please, have a look at this topic and make sure you clear (delete) your forums.sketchucation.com (or in fact any sketchucation related) cookies in your browser. Try to log in then. Let me know if you still have problems. If you cannot answer here, when logged out, use that "problems..." link Mitcorb suggested to send me an email.

Thank you very much. It helped.

@wo3dan said: You can import different file types (*.jpg *.png etc.) in various ways, i.e. as image, as texture on an existing face and as ‘New Matched Photo’. The latter to re-create 3D shapes (like buildings) from a flat photo with the right perspective information in it.........On the same page you will find the Weld.rb ruby script, also very useful Wow, this is really useful stuff! I thought I'd seen all of the tutorial videos, but I guess there are some I haven't. Or maybe one just has to learn some things with time and experience -- like anything else. This information is very useful to me, Gerrit, and I thank you very much for your knowledge, and for taking the time to explain it to me! Things are buzzing along smoothly now, and I hope I won't have any other issues. But if I do, I will be sure to come back to ask! Gigi

Thanks for the file Pete [image: 57MS_Seat.png] Different approach using EEbyR [image: bpWb_Seat2.png] More head scratching

Its magic

I have received a response from the SU team; they were able to reproduce the error and comfirmed the bug: "Thank you for your note. I've opened your file and was able to reproduce the crash when draping on the two scenerios you provided where the drape was onto exploded geometry. When draping onto a grouped surface it would work fine and if I grouped the geometry on your two "exploded target" sections those would also drape fine. The issue seems to be specific to what you're draping on and whether or not its a group when I perform the operation in SketchUp 8." It seems to me that if you group the "target" object it helps... sometimes.

Also, by applying the materials in SU, you also assign UV mapping to them (how big the texture should be, what the orientation is should be etc.). This info is also needed for Kerky to work correctly if you are working with image based materials and not with pure colours.

No. essentially if you only have one instance of a component in your file, it's doing nothing for you in terms of file size. I'll sometimes do that, just to group my objects together but that's about it, just convenience. As for rendering (assuming you're just talking about orbiting around in SU), components do nothing for you there regardless. Your cpu/graphics card still has to look at all the objects on your screen whether they're components or not. The only thing components do for you is help with file size (other than workflow improvements like editing one object rather than 20). Now if you get into actually sending your SU file to an external renderer then it changes things slightly, but that's a different issue. -brodie