If anyone is familiar with 3ds MAXSCRIPT, here's a Quadrulate script someone made. Granted it's not much use for SketchUp, but maybe some of the concepts in it will help someone find a ruby solution for SketchUp.

(*.mzp is just a zip file for Max)

@unknownuser said:

If it's a ring that's parallel with the top/bottom copy the top's edges - select+move+ctrl-key, constrain copying in axis using shift-key... a new edges ring will be made.

thank you, this is nice

[blatant plug]
If you fancy doing it the old fashioned way, this tutorial covers the basic method: http://www.sketchucation.com/animating-an-object-in-google-sketchup/
[/blatant plug]

i like the way it generates the 360 degree pictures automatically. is there another way to do that automated?

@unknownuser said:

Try to adjust the Transparency quality in the Styles window.

yea thats it. thank you

I do the reverse often: modelling with original (high res) images (for GE) then making the applied images unique then editing them and resizing (decreasing) the image resolution considerably. UV mapping is kept. Maybe try to position the texture first?

@e-anima said:

Is it only working if i select all faces (without edges) ?

It only transfer the material of the selected faces. (Doesn't matter if you select edges, they are ignored.)

@e-anima said:

Where did you get the output ?

Where?
The Backside of the faces will look like the Frontside.