That worked. I had modified the views somehow, but when I set them back they displayed correctly. Thanks for your help!

thank you SOOOOOOOOOOO Much!

I thought of something like that, but the options tab is greyed out when I select kmz as the file type.

Thanks Guite, that's exactly what I need. Now to figure out how to place the houses and fences on it...I'll give it a go.

If you change the style and click the 'refresh style' button (top right of the styles window) that should set the style. I think you then have to resave your template file to get it to load up the file properly. To do that you just save the blank file, wit the altered style, and then go window->preferences->template and browse for the blank file you just saved.

here the tuts jons talking about: part 1: http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=723 part 2: http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=752

It sounds like you have access to GIS software if you're using .shp files, am I right? If so, have you tried ArcScene? I've had decent results using SU to create my 3D structures and bringing them in as symbols. Let me know if this is the case and I can dig up a link to the workflow I used. Where in Phoenix? I lived there for a long time and did a lot of work in the utilities biz.

i delete the skins layer thats generated and add my own coverings - drywall, plywood, insulation, etc... since its easier to control, split on layers, and apply materials individually so the cut sheet script will apportion things correctly (lumber vs sheet goods). otherwise - push-pull to adjust the size of each. it would be great to have a unified version for both metric and imperial as well as real covering layers for typical constructs or options to adjust - like exterior wall vs interior wall, size of drywall, insulation or not, exterior ply or not, etc...