I guess a good question is: is there a good dynamic component that kind of does this already that I can alter the components to hack and make it do what I'm asking? Again not sure about Ruby so I may be limited to the 3d warehouse. .

So I'm trying to figure out the best way to do a massing study for a multifamily project. Ideally I would create a dynamic component that you draw a line and skp lays out however many30x30 units with a corridor in the middle. You would also be able to set the amount of floors. It would be cool if it could add a stair every 12 units or so, or maybe that's a user input. Obviously the units would just be a square 11' tall extrusion. I know I could start with the dynamic railing skp has by default - but is there a way to draw a line (maybe a three sided square C shape) and have it draw the units along a user defined line? Or is that more complex? I think I could make a single straight line version with the railing component, but is the user defined line version that much more difficult? Thanks!!

@justintse said:

You might want to check out Modeleur -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXCHJTxQR1s

• it's an urban design extension that seems like it might line up with what you're looking for.

That's pretty much exactly what I was looking for! Yeah it's pretty but maybe worth it. Thanks.

THanks - i was going to look into that but I'm going to have to learn the program - didnt know if anything already existed.

I'm looking to see if there is some kind of parametric building/modeling massing plugin, etc for SKP. Ideally, say I'm doing multifamily, I can open a plugin, type how many stories the building is, select single loaded or double loaded corridor, and then by click and dragging a line out, building massing is generated with the correct floor heights, every time I drag out another 30' or so another unit is added (maybe this is just a rectangle) and if the line takes a corner the plugin would place a corner unit there. Obviously there are other features that would be helpful, but just wanted to ask and see if anyone has heard of anything like this? Thanks!

Nevermind - had to have my selection first. Thanks!

I'm trying to get TIG's ruby script to work - I copied the code into a TXT then saved in the SKP plugin folder and renamed the file to "TIG-exploderizer.rb". Then I restarted SKP, went to Window>Ruby Console and typed "TIG-exploderizer" - nothing happens though. obviously I'm clueless about Ruby scripting, but what am I doing wrong? Thanks.
Also thanks to OP for starting and keeping this thread updated - good to read through his list and think "Yep, did that....then I tried that..."
Thanks!

PS I'm using SKP 2017 and here is the error message:

TIG-exploderizer
Error: #<NameError: undefined local variable or method exploderizer' for main:Object> <main>:in <main>'
SketchUp:1:in `eval'

That seems to have worked, however, there is still a slight darkening (is that a word?) on the underside of anything white. Also, I wonder if there is a way to do this by material only and not affecting the rest of the shadow settings, as it would really help to fake lighting.
Or does anyone else have a better way to fake the glow of a light?

Awesome- thanks! I'll give it a try.

Hey guys, I know that SKP changes the colors of your materials based on shadows (even if you have all shadow settings off) - but is there a way to prevent this? It happens all the time that I have a beige wall and then I change the angle and it's dark brown, then again and it's almost white. I've tried using the sun for shading but not much luck - is there an option to change a material so it always renders a consistent color? My task today is that I created a gradient in PSD (png so it has transparency) and then map it on a face to give the illusion that it is actually casting light. Looks great from the side, but underneath it looks gray. If I could prevent it from changing color it would be perfect - is this making sense?
Thanks.