Hmm, I must have a bigger issue, since I do not have that menu under plugins!

I'll work through this. I knew something was awry with my setup!

When I pull up the Space Navigator config menu with SketchUp it is different from the global menu. The SketchUp config menu offers speed, navigation mode (Object, Camera, Helicopter) and several other settings.

I would like it to default to Camera mode, which is like how the Space Navigator works in Google Earth.

Thanks again,
Zach

Hello,

Anyone know how to change the mode that the Space Navigator defaults to in SketchUp?

Currently each time SketchUp is opened it defaults to "Object" mode and I would prefer it to default to "Camera" mode.

Thanks mates!
Zach

@Fletch
Hey, I took a look at the test model. The script doesn't work on curves yet. Basically, if you were to explode any curves it should work fine!

@chango70
Yeah, I stopped working on this script a while back (1 year?). Hopefully, I will be able to finish it up soon enough. Probably will ensure this script works inside Groups and works with curves as well.

Thanks! BTW, the original version of this had an arbitrary axis, something that could be useful as well. Perhaps the next steps are to rework the code to include this feature, or maybe to include a dialog box with several options to choose from?

Hi Tom,

Clouds are found under the "weather" layer. Sunlight can be turned on (as long as you are using Google Earth 4.3) by hitting the button in the top row of icons (next to sky).

I agree with Gaieus' statement about context. I think all these things combined and you can produce some nice screenshots!

See ya,
Zach

Here's a day and late evening shot of Denver:

Thats cool to know! I have been to Budapest, Hungary once before and very much enjoyed it. The spas were really nice (beautiful if I remember, and my pictures continue to demonstrate) but unfortunately I had slept in till 4pm and got to the spa right as it was closing

I would like to push for a "shovel" tool of sorts for digging into Earth, like for foundations or what you described. Given time and I'm sure it will only get better!

Here is a render of a building I'm very pleased about: Chicago Title and Trust. One of my favorites for sure! Enjoy!

Take care,
Zach

Sweet, he has produced some very nice models! I've wondered what Pecs means? It looks similar to the Czech word 'pec' which means oven or furnace.

Yeah, a building history time slider is an awesome idea, I'm sure it can be done through KML. Could be a nice summer evening project, too! Imagine being able to watch cities change and grow over time.

Lates,
Zach

Yeah, I saw some need for post-production on some of these, but avoided it so we could compare lighting at different times of day. Actually, Gaieus, the last image is quasi-artificially lit, since I first hovered my mouse over the model (to give it that blueish hue) and saved image by using keyboard shortcuts

Zach

Hi,

It might be cool to see a few SketchUp artists works rendered dynamically in Google Earth. I often enjoy viewing SketchUp buildings with sunlight on and clouds and saving jpgs of my favorite shots. Thanks,

Zach

Here are a few that I've made,

Tian Tan Buddha, Lantau Island, Hong Kong (3D Warehouse)

United Methodist Church and Grand Masonic Lodge of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (3D Warehouse)

Wrigley Field, Chicago (3D Warehouse)

Hmm, I think this could come in handy on this model I'm currently working on. Checked it out at home and will probably DL it again tomorrow! Thanks!

Hmm, weird..

It couldn't have to do with Firefox 3, do you think? Anyone else having this issue?

Lates,
Zach

@Gaieus: Re: FF3 >> It is now! (gearthblog.com)

@Tom: Nice site so far, but for some reason I couldn't get the Earth option to work. It keeps telling me there is a problem with the plugin. gl!

Zach

Hi, how about:

Habanero
Fly Fishing

Zach

I'm still wondering whether you got out to tour a bit of SF before your afternoon flight there?

Again, I had a great time these last couple weeks, with 3Db and then back in the office in Colorado. What did you think of the mountains, pretty close by, eh? Anyway, hope your back in Holland in due time, we'll chat later on.

Cheers,
Zach

Hi Ray and Bob,

This is something I've noticed while working on my flattening script, and I still haven't figured out why it happens. The simplest way of reproducing this is to draw a box, add a rectangle to the top surface and connect it with a line to the outer edge loop. When erasing one of the edges of the rectangle that was added, both faces disappear.

However, if you were to erase the edge that connects both edge loops first, then you can erase the edges of the inside rectangle just fine. It apparently has to do with the order in which you erase coplanar edges. Delete edges in the following order: edges connected to 0 faces go first, then edges connected to 1 face, and finally edges connected to 2 faces.

See ya,
Zach

No problem, glad it could be useful to some!

So, in fact there is more functionality to this script, but a lot of the methods are not being used currently. I need to get it up to speed, maybe over the weekend. Basically, if you intersect with model you can erase the inside edges, and I'm working on getting them to remove automatically. The methods are all in the script, they just need to be called, and in the right order (what I have been struggling with).

Anyway, feel free to play around with the script. I'll do my best to update it, too.

Thanks again,
Zach

Hey,

I have made a script to simplify models or correct geometry that is close to coplanar and making it coplanar. Currently the script flattens geometry either to a plane with a normal of (0,0,1) - facing straight up - or (X,Y,0) - facing straight out - and after you flatten to an initial (X,Y,0) direction all else will follow either parallel or perpendicular (90 degrees) to that initial flatten. Faces with a normal within 30 degrees of (0,0,1) will flatten to a plane that just faces straight up, where all else flattens straight out. These settings can be adjusted within the code.

The order of operations:

1. Select some geometry
2. Right click, select Flattening Script
3. Left click on a face (this decides the plane the geometry will project to)

Thanks,
Zach

faceFlattener019.rb

@fitz said:

3. When viewing a file, like when ORBITING, SOMETIMES, some kind of "imaginary" filter or something removes things in the overall image, almost like the SECTION PLANE, but with no visable Plane, and it moves as I orbit. Then other times its not there. I don't even know how to explain it comprehensivly...it just happens sometimes and other times it doesn't. But I sure would LIKE to have it as a command, especially from inside of a room to remove walls behind the viewing plane so they don't intrude on my view as I orbit the room. Any ideas?

Hey fitz,

Edit: in addition to Remus' reply:
This is due to working in Parallel Projection mode. Most likely this will happen when you are working in Perspective and zoomed in on a detailed part of the model and then you switch to Parallel Projection. To correct it, I always hit shift-z for Zoom Extents. Take it easy!

Zach

Making a symmetric object?

You can take one half of the model you are creating and make a component of it. Make a copy and scale it to -1 in the correct direction, and as you edit the first half of the model, the other half will follow suit.

Zach

Hi,

I am trying to record a video capture of the SketchUp interface using Fraps, but it strictly records the 3D window, and not any of the buttons, mouse actions, right click menus, etc. I'm wondering if anyone has found a way to use Fraps to obtain all of this information?

In other softwares it does in fact record all of this information.

Thanks,
Zach