EPS Export - Bezier Curves & Illustrator

[C.J.]

Hello All,

I'm relatively new to SketchUp and I'm trying to decide whether to buy the pro version. One important feature of the pro version for me is the ability to export in EPS format - this means I could work with a 2D drawing in Illustrator.

What I need to know is, will curved objects in SketchUp be exported as 'steps' or will they be smooth curved lines. If the former is correct, is there a way around this?

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[Dave R]

I can't answer the question but you could download the pro version and use it for 8 hours to see if it does what you want. If you decide it's not for you, it reverts to the free version after the 8 hours are up.

[TIG]

If you export a 3d DXF/DWG then arc/circle curves are 'true arcs/circles' [unlike exported 2d versions, which are all segmented]... but other 'polyline' curves - like 'beziers' - are segmented. I assume it's the same for EPS exports. Try the Pro trial and see... as far as I know there's no way of exporting non-circular curves as 'curves'........

[jeff hammond]

hmm.
i don't use or know how to use illustrator but, if i export a su drawn bezier as an eps then open it in rhino, i just select the line (well, the segments of said line) then run the rebuild command which leaves me with a fully smooth and editable nurbs curve.

maybe illustrator has something similar to 'rebuild'?

[edit] but yeah, as tig said, they will be exported as segmented lines from sketchup.

[C.J.]

Thanks for the replies.

I downloaded the pro version and discovered it exports the EPS with steps, not curved lines. Illustrator unfortunately does not have the means to 'rebuild' curves out of the steps.

Is it possible to render an SU model as a line drawing, with accurate curves instead of steps? It may then be possible for me to export such a render as a high res tiff and autotrace in Illustrator.

Thanks again.

[Dave R]

Could you just draw the curves with more segments so the steps aren't a problem?

[C.J.]

I don't know, could I?

I must admit my experience of 3D modeling and rendering is virtually nil. Would it be possible to create a model - let's say for example a simple cylinder created from an extruded circle - and then change some kind of display setting so the number of steps created the illusion of a true cylinder?

[Dave R]

You could change the default number of sides used to create the circle in the first place. The default value is 24 but you can set it higher. Perhaps you would get a smooth enough curve at 60 or 120 sides although you can go higher. Keep in mind that this will increase the file size possibly very dramatically. Don't increase the number of sides unless you need to. You do have to make the decision on the number of sides before you make the cylinder or otherwise extrude the curve.