Using path copy from 1001bit tools keeps the component perpendicular to the path provided you have the component vertical (as in a baluster) and the path parallel to the ground plane. Run the tool and then rotate assembly back to the orientation you desire.

Deals with higher poly/larger models better.
Quicker saving/autosave.
Layout - Active or Current layer 'automatically' switches to Dimensions when activating the dimension tool or Annotation when either notes or text tool is selected. Maybe the ability to customise this feature.

Numerobis makes a good point re model size. Once models get up in size, and we're not talking big here, the lag can become unworkable. Plenty of benefits to the Sketchup/Layout workflow over 3ds max but model size and poly count is not one of them.

I agree with about all of the posts up here. David pretty much hit the nail on the head re price point and all. Personally I think that at a one off of around $3oo-400 AUD for the plugin (this is a plugin - not a stand alone like Revit ect) and then an annual update fee of $50-100 would represent good value.

I personally hate the subscription model of sales with a passion. I don't know if he's listening but Chuck Vali of Instant road/roof/terrain fame may have lost my future business due to the Nui subscription model he now uses.I bought without question the original tools at what seemed like good value to own them. I keep a version of 2014 and 2013 on my machines just to keep using them they are so good. Chuck - bring back a purchase model and I'm sure your customer base will go through the roof.

Even Sketchup with its $100 a year started to alienate users. Providing Trimble put real development into this program and treat their user community with respect it is a cost we generally swallow. The reason the program is so popular and strong is due to the enormous efforts of a very talented user community that have offered up most of the plugins and extensions for free. Bordering open source with their charitable nature. What goes around, comes around. It is these plugins that make Sketchup the powerful modeler it is.

Skalp produced a fantstic product and although high at $100 it is a one off. Profile builder 2 - fantastic plugin $49 (one off). I think what we need to be aware of is that when we start adding up all of these extra plugin fees (especially subscriptions) we are soon in the territory of the revits and Archicads of the world. I love Sketchp dearly - I introduced and teach it in a building design course where I lecture and constantly amaze (sceptical) students with its capabilities. It does however have its limitations. Large models do bog it down. Crashes and freezes are more common than the Autodesk/Graphisoft offerings.

I have been a paid up 'Pro' user since Sketchup 8 and have bought quite a few worth while plugins as well as the Full Maxwell Render studio and sketchp plugin (Teach this also). Cost is never an issue with me. Value is.

Ultimately the future of how we pay for the program and its plugins resides with us, the user community. The might of the many so to speak. When en-masse the Sketchup users decide to come together and not renew subscriptions etc. then real change can happen. Synchronizing that voice couldn't be easier given how these forums work.

Hi guys, can anyone tell me if or how you can change the opacity of text from within Layout. I have tried clicking the colour icon and changing opacity and sampling a shape with a fill set to less than 100% opacity etc but no joy. Tried a few different fonts also just in case that was the issue.

thanks in advance.
Craig

Hi all, just wondering if it's me or a quirk of the plugin tools (SketchUcation Plugin store) whereby I open the tool, search and auto install but get nothing until I close and restart sketchup in order to find/use the plugins I have either updated or downloaded.

Also the check for updates tool (Fredo 6) doesn't seem to acknowledge the newly installed plugin versions. (Joint pp V3.0) and the Purge Obsolete files tool never shows any old files.

HI all. Does anyone know if there is a way to simply make a self illumination material in maxwell to emulate a computer monitor/tv screen. I can achieve it easily in twilight render by just choosing the material and then applying the emitter template, adjusting wattage for desired effect, but have had no joy trying to do the same in maxwell (my renderer of choice). I have tried choosing the material with the plugin ( I am trying to do this from inside sketchup - I have Maxwell studio if the solution resides there, but would like to know if I can achieve this without exporting to Maxwell studio)and making it an emitter under 'charachter' but when it renders I just end up with a white surface. I can see my image there on the texture and bump tabs but have a default 234,234,234 under 'colour'.

Any help appreciated.

Craig

Not sure if it's me or a glitch. After importing or creating a component, I can't seem to save it to a local collection by drag and dropping to the appropriate folder in the secondary selection pane. Still works with no problems in SK8pro but no joy in 2013pro.

I have seen the 'right click' save as function but cannot understand why you would get rid of the functionality of just dragging between the 2 windows.

any help appreciated.

Craig

[quote="jason_maranto"]Alright, so hopefully I clearly established why I think this “upgrade” fails... Lets look at what you can do about it.

First off, don't “upgrade” – if you are free version user don't pay the $590... and if you are an existing Pro user don't pay the $95.

Jason, well thought out and said. I have been an avid user and proponent of sketchup for some time now and was also dismayed at the immediacy of their annual subscription policy. Agree also that the changes/improvements over the past several years (I have used it since SU6) would not have amounted to much without the efforts and skills of the user community in producing plugins to 'get the job done'. What's more, the 3D warehouse is what it is because of the efforts and generosity of this same community.

Should this be their intent for what is generally a loyal customer base then I would urge one and all to lobby Autodessys to get busy with a 'layout' equivalent for Bonzai 3D, which out of the box is similar in price and like Sketchup on steroids. If they were to achieve this, it would result in an enormous migration of 3d modellers to their platform. At the least it would put the pressure back on Trimble to lift their game re their customers.

Thanks to you both for your help and advice. Correct on the 'compatability' issue. Do I need to manually change the security settings for every folder where this shows up? It looks like it will take me till Christmas given the quick look I had and the number of folders where the 'compatability' button is present.

Once again, appreciative of your time/help.