Vector mode removes some graphic style qualities that can only be represented by a raster image. You may want to look at Hybrid as a compromise.

I prefer vector mode myself as I try to keep my exported file (PDF) sizes to a minimum where possible.

I've had this happen a lot in M2! Wish I new why; I'm sure it's something simple

Andy - If you open the Window>Component Attributes dialog there is a tab at the top which when clicked will then give access to a list all the functions. Additionally you can go here...

http://support.google.com/sketchup/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=108144

for a more detailed explanantion.

As I've mentioned previously I gave up on DC's. My solution is to build individual non-DC components which can be quickly edited to suit a specific project e.g. a window where you only need to carry out two stretches 1. to change the overall frame and 2. the casement.

Good luck with your endeavours. Let us know how you get on!

@sir said:

Can you give us some more information please - is the imported drawing readable as seperate lines and text? or is it more of an image?

How do you do it?

etc etc

If this is vector I'm very interested!

@rich o brien said:

That 3D orbiting feature is pretty cool. Not sure if it's new though

and you HAVE to install Chrome to use it

@jpalm32 said:

Interesting Free BIM Software from Trimble

http://www.teklabimsight.com/

Now that's an interesting pointer to SUs future...

@michaelv said:

As for wish list I would say, keep it with a friendly interface at all cost, no specific, complicated, dedicated, esoteric solutions (autocad?). SU thrives on its simple and intuitive interface, it should be a priority for SU as well as us plugin developper.

+1 The simplicity of the interface is imho what makes SU so popular, it's the cad equivalent of being given a pencil, paper and ruler; basic tools that do their job without bogging down the design process by burying a command three layers down in one of several menus so the action ends up being slower than actually just drawing what you need.

@mike lucey said:

Emotiv | Brain Data Measuring Hardware and Software Solutions

Gather, analyze, and experiment with brain data through EMOTIV's portable and accessible brain measuring hardware and software solutions.

EMOTIV (www.emotiv.com)

Intersting product and relatively cheap price point, well cheaper than I expected. Try before you buy might be a prerequisite for some people!

I personally would like to see Kinect developed to replace my mouse. It could be almost like physically building lifting windows into place etc and a lot healthier than sitting here getting lazy and developing RSI! With Trimble's gadget focus maybe that interface could be a possibility?

So SU.9 will be a freebie to incentivise pro licence transfers to Trimbe?

@mike lucey said:

I suggested that I collect 5 -6 Wish list items that are high priority and maybe quote them under a new thread for John to take up and comment on.

I will try to collect them here in this post first or you can PM them to me.

+1 for what bmike said!. Layout really is the weakest but very valuable link in the chain. On top of what was said please please please can we have vector hatching!

The most significant improvement in SU would be true arcs, that would move it into real "Pro" territory.

@watkins said:

Dear All,

I have written this before, but if you are attached to a school or academic institute then SpaceClaim is very reasonably priced. Compared to Autodesk products, it is almost a give-away.

Regards,
Bob

And if you aren't the price is how much?

@gaieus said:

Thanks Rich (it is still a bit over my head why it cannot work in the model units). I almost got someone to buy SU Pro. Now of course, he won't.

I added that units format request to the wishlist recently, although I am quite happily importing a SU exported report into an M$ Exel template that makes the necessary conversion and uses pivot tables to create reports. It just takes a little time to make sure the template is functioning correctly to extract the data you require. The basic reporting from SU isn't all it could be when trying to extract areas, but with a little care in component design a lot of useful info can be extracted quite quickly once set up.

@andybot said:

I do have to agree Autodesk would have been wise to buy it, from a market standpoint.

But given the sentiments aired around here they would have to factor in a shrinking user base for the anyone-but-autodesk software users which would devalue the purchase. Maybe that's why their buyouts fail?

This is a great forum. It would be a shame if it died or became subject to external "influence". At least being independent we can say what we think without fear of censorship and hopefully the new "owners" appreciate the positive contributions on this forum that help make SU so popular and guidance provided to the developers through the wishlists etc.

I personally felt quite isolated by the Google forums and it was a great relief to discover this place.

Create a new scene called "WIP" (aka Work in progress) which shows what you want, you can then jump between scenes and quickly get back to displaying the full model. You may need to "update" the scene with new camera position or additional layers as the model develops.

It wouldn't surprise me if SU9 is used as the licence transfer sweetner in the same way Google moved the @last users...

If Trimble can turn SU into a pro product e.g. arcs are true arcs and LO becomes a lot more professional with hatching etc then things will be moving forward. If it is absorbed as a core engine into specialist products then its appeal as a do anything modeller may be diminished. I dropped ArchiCAD because SU is flexible to my design needs, I don't need another "expert" system telling me how to design and what I can include in my projects.

Fingers crossed Trimble have seen the SU & LO wishlists and they will form the basis for their road map!

Stunning render and modelling. Is it me or does the back of the chair look twisted clockwise from the seat? I'm guessing the model is accurate so could it be the curvature of the top moulding, perspectiv/lens length, v-ray or possibly just an optical illusion?

@gaieus said:

So you can always enter diameter/2 into the Measurement box...
Therefore no need for any plugin at all...

Thought I was having a Doh moment but this only seems to work with the division operator. I was beginning to think we had a discrete calculator available

The LH cabinet side should be a component. Once you have created it then you can copy to the RH. Having done that when you edit one you will edit both. From your image it looks like you copied the left side "group" so your component contains both sides! It's easy once you get the hang of it.

I encountered a similar thing yesterday. It seems that SU has some sort of consolidation process for components, which depending on what you are doing may or may not be a good thing. I created a component containing several other components of which there was only one instance of each nested in the main component and nowhere else in the model. The component browser showed all the components until I saved the main component to an external directory, at which point all the "nested" components disappeared from the component browser. It would appear if you want to keep the components available then you have to retain an instance seperately in the model. Personally I'm quite happy with this arrangement as it stops the component browser becoming over crowded.

The nested components are not lost! If you want to use one of them, open the main component, copy the nested component and then paste it outside the previous component.