SketchUp Product Configurator Plug-in?

Roguer1

I have been requested to model a collection of automotive models and integrate them into a product configurator for use by “clients”. I have tried a few other programs such as Esperient Creator but these all seemed too excessive for what I was looking for. I need a little help with a few plug-in ideas or some advice on what would be the best method of doing things in SU

I wish to have a base model which a client could then choose accessories for, to replace existing components in model or to add to the model. All these parts textures will need to stay in sync as the main car body texture is edited. This would require a plug-in that synchronises the other components or textures with the main body texture on demand, e.g.:

The plug-in would use a “key phrase”, which is in the desired textures names and/or the components names, to be updated. So when an “update” button is pressed or the texture is edited the other textures and/or components with the textures name (key phrase) in their title get updated/the texture applied to them. A list of key phrases would be stored and the plug-in would monitor and synchronise the desired textures/components when edited.
-User specifies “Body” as a phrase
Texture: “Body”, when edited, will be synchronised with other textures and/or components with the phrase “Body” in their name.

I need this because there will be multiple models being inserted with different textures, which would then need to be synchronised with one texture, when the end user edits this.

I may also need a plug-in that can apply a texture or texture map type thing in a certain shape to any component surface or textured surface in a particular area, kind of like intersecting a shape with mesh and then filling that area with a new texture. I wish to use this idea to apply racing stripes to different body types, where the user can choose stripes or no strips. Maybe a similar method to the first plug-in idea would be good. Where a user specified “body” as a key phrase and then specifies the shape/racing stripe to intersect and then fill the area with a specified texture...

^Gosh, that sounds a little confusing

I would also like any ideas about plug-ins that may help with such a product configurator, or someone who may be able to help...

... Or I could just use some help with layers, to turn off one layer when another is turned on

Thanks

Chris Fullmer

First off, I think you will be modeling every option. Then with smart component management, make it possible to change things out for different variations.

How will the client interact with the model. If you use SketchUp they will have to have SU on their computer. Their might be some hope with exporting to O3D, but I can't help explain that at all.

I've used virtools by dassault systemes before, and it is capabale of this kind of thing also. It would allow you to create an app that would load into the users web browser to interface with the model. There is a big learning curve there though.

Chriz

Roguer1

Thanks for the reply Chris, I think I may be able to do this whole thing with dynamic components...Now, just to figure out how the thing works...