Modeling problem (help appreciated)

marcell86 · 9 Apr 2011, 00:36

Hello guys,
I am new both on forum and with SketchUp. Last time I tried to model a violin key attached below:

I made an outline of that violin key and saved it to DWG file and simply pulled it up but I came to grisp with problem marked on JPG file.
I guess it's easier way to do that without making an outline and pulling shapes from it but I made it too learn SketchUp.
It's important for me to do that in this way (if it's even possible) because I am making a 3D logo for my friend and it has similar shapes (something like a ribbon) and all I had it's an outline of those letters.

I would be really grateful for any kind of help.

Best regards,
Marcell

PS. sorry for my poor language, english it's not my native lanbuage.

Gaieus · 9 Apr 2011, 04:42

Hi Marcell (and welcome)!

Could you please, attach the skp file that you already have? (It is hard to see from the picture what the exact problem is...)

Gaieus · 9 Apr 2011, 10:24

Well, it did not attach, try again, please. (Maybe it's too large?)

marcell86 · 9 Apr 2011, 11:01

Here You go :

I would be love to teach how to this. It will be very helpful in the future since I am working with organic like shapes.

letter_P.skp

marcell86 · 9 Apr 2011, 15:30

Any results ?

gulcanocali · 9 Apr 2011, 16:13

Hi marcell86,

Take a look at this fountain model in the 3D warehouse. It is a 3D G-clef. I think, it does something similar to what you want to do as explained in the skp file you attached.

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

(sketchup.google.com)

marcell86 · 9 Apr 2011, 16:48

Hi gulcanocali
First of all I would like to thank You for help it's really helpful. Now when I know what to deal with it I have one more question, how to pull pull such organic shape.
I don't want to be so flat.
Best regards,
Marcell

mitcorb · 9 Apr 2011, 17:22

Are you trying to model it like 3d text? Like stroke width and thickness?
Perhaps you want to trace over an image to form closed faces and pushpull it? Then if you don't want it to be uniformly planar you use some bending method?

Maybe not. This is just what I thought I "heard" you say.

marcell86 · 9 Apr 2011, 17:34

Hi mitcorb,
I haven't try the method with 3D text yet. I will give it a try.
I used vector image file saved in *.EPS then converted it to dwg file to easily track the form of this logo. I did it because I thought it's the easiest and fastest way plus it looks perfectly close to original image.
Now it's difficult to modify already created shapes.
Maybe I shall try from sratch and try another method like extruding shape from edges?

~Marcell

mitcorb · 9 Apr 2011, 17:49

Well, you can extrude a shape from edges that form a closed face, which is basic to Sketchup. There are also some ruby scripts that will assist in forming what you want.

You could insert a .png image or a .jpg image to start, and with basic Sketchup tools you can create the G/ treble Clef figure. You can also, meticulously bend it out of plane with progression of selection and move.

Sooner or later, you will probably use plugins to achieve repetitive procedures.

gulcanocali · 10 Apr 2011, 01:27

@marcell86 said:

Hi gulcanocali
First of all I would like to thank You for help it's really helpful. Now when I know what to deal with it I have one more question, how to pull pull such organic shape.
I don't want to be so flat.
Best regards,
Marcell

No problem. Glad if I was helpful. For push/pulling such organic shapes, JointPushPull plugin http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=6708&hilit=jointpushpull by Fredo6 would be very useful I think.