SURFACE NOISE HELP

[demet]

Hello,

I'm relatively new to Sketchup. I've encountered this problem before, but I always just put the thought aside.

Here's the problem. I normally import plans from Autocad into Sketchup. The problem is, sometimes, when I start creating it in 3d, some kind of surface noise appears. When I'm in the working program, the noise is there. But when i export it, it's gone. How do I remedy this problem?

My settings: Macbook 13" bootcamp with Windows XP. I use sketchup in XP. The version I use is the free version of Sketchup 6 and I use Autocad 2008.

Thanks,

demet

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[Gaieus]

Hi Demet,

I have also seen similar things (although fortunately not with my models).

How far is your model from the origin?
Are there groups/components that came from similar entities in ACAD (like blocks or whatever you call them)?

[demet]

@gaieus said:

Hi Demet,

I have also seen similar things (although fortunately not with my models).

How far is your model from the origin?
Are there groups/components that came from similar entities in ACAD (like blocks or whatever you call them)?

Thanks for replying.

No they're not blocks from Autocad. I imported it as a plan and not as a 3d model. One of the corners of the model is directly on the origin.

[Gaieus]

Is the CAD import still grouped?

[Rich O Brien]

I had same issue on dell latitude ages ago. At the time Gaieus suggested turning off Hardware Acceleration in the 'Preferences' window.

The issue was resolved. I think it was something to do with not having a dedicated graphics card.

I'm not familiar with Mac but it looks similar to my problem!

[demet]

@gaieus said:

Is the CAD import still grouped?

WOW! Thanks Gai! I exploded one of the groups and the noise was gone. Thanks. However, some surfaces are still noisy, but not as annoying. I don't know how to turn off the graphics acceleration on the XP side of my Mac though.

Thanks for the help!

[Gaieus]

What I suspect here is that some grouping comes through with faraway origin of its axis system and causes the same symptoms as if the whole model were some miles away from the origin.

Some CAD files are "dangerous" as can be very extensive (in space I mean) and this will not only cause the classic clipping bug (which is not really a SU bug but an OpenGL limitation) but all sorts of distortion in the geometry - like as if you were looking at them stoned. Often the file itself does not reveal this being far from the origin but inside some grouped things there may be some issue.

I am not sure if it is this issue here but some examples (only by trial and error and experience) give a couple of steps to try to fix it.

on the Mac, Hardware acceleration can be found under Sketchup (menu) > Preferences > OpenGL. You can also try that as one of those "stabbing in the dark steps" mentioned above.

[TIG]

If you have some Groups with weird origins then use the Outliner to highlight them in turn and the Explode and immediately Group the them highlighted contents. Sketchup will put the new Group's origin at the limit of its geometry not where it was... Step through Groups in the Outliner until all are done - quickest if you assign shortcut keys to Explode and Group...