As I've been experimenting (aka playing) with SubDivSmo (SDS) the issue of how to translate the beautiful curves the plugin allows into actual affordable buildable structures has arisen. One concept I've been thinking about is shaped perforated metal sheets as, one might almost say, clothing for the underlying building. (See attached model and images.) The size and shape of the perforations could range widely depending upon the particular context, and could even vary for different locations of a given building. I'm curious what people think of this idea, and what other approaches are being considered.

curved facade.skp

Hi Arjay,

In addition to the ruby Gaieus mentioned you definitely want to consider Dale Martens' Subdivide and Smooth ruby plugin. You have to pay for the plugin but it's worth every penny. It will help let you create geometry very similar to that in the images. The image below was made using the plugin.

I've been working on getting a handle on the new organic tools the ruby artists have been providing us. After a fair amount of frustration I'm starting to get some of the control I want. A sample of some recent experiments.

Coen,

Some ruminations based upon your post.

1. I pay for numerous design/architecture magazine subscriptions, each of which provides me significantly less value than SCF.

2. It is very clear from the previous posts in this thread that SCF is an important community for many of us.

3. I would like SCF to be sustainable, vibrant and stable and I don't believe it can be that over the long term unless those providing the service are compensated for their work.

Therefore, it seems like it might be worth considering some sort of subscription plan. I would be quite willing to pay a reasonable annual subscription fee to help put SCF on a sound, sustainable path into the future.

Just a thought.

Fred

Pete, Alex and DK,

Thanks for your ideas.

Pete, is this chair similar to the model you have? The price is less than half of an Aeron and it looks like it has most of the adjustments I would need.

Fred

My 54 year old body is sending me various signals that I should have a better ergonomic setup for the many hours spent sitting in front of my computer absorbed in SketchUp creations. Do any of you have chairs that you really like, or can recommend, that ideally don't cost a small fortune?

With hope of keeping the aging joints semi-happy.

Thanks

Fred

Thanks Coen!

Oh the joys of server upgrades/modifications. I approach them a fair amount of trepidation, fingers crossed, knocking on wood, a prayer or two... and a very recent backup.

I felt quite cut off yesterday without SCF.

With much appreciation,

Fred

Wow! Looks great. Awesome model.

There just better not be any bumps in the road. What's the ground clearance?

@solo said:

Awesome!!

The birds eye view image (first one) has me craving pancakes for some reason.

Time for breakfast Pete. My wife made apple pancakes this morning. Delicious.

A detail of one of the "corners". Illustrates how "intersect with model" is your friend.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Boo... a client, what's that? ... just done for "fun" or perhaps more accurately, out of a vague compulsion reinforced by SketchUp's highly addictive nature and the desire for some nice feedback on SCF

Bob... thanks for the link to oceand! As you correctly surmised, I really like their work. The underlying similarities between some of my work and their designs comes about, I believe, by a shared approach of letting the steadily developing capabilities of design software shape the creation of new architectural forms.

remus... your enthusiasm is a tonic... here is to more shared "corkers" from all of us!

Fred

A building just right for Qatar or one of the other Persian Gulf Arab Emirates. My first architectural design using some of the new organic modeling plugins.

@unknownuser said:

Does the mesh can be less detailed (number of facets) for a same result of texturing or this one is the minimum?

Pilou,

The mesh can be less detailed but the result will not be as smooth. There are 4 levels (iterations) available in the plugin. This was done with 3 iterations. You can watch a couple of tutorial videos about how the plugin works here (scroll to the bottom of the window).

Fred

Thanks all for the comments!

Whaat, you've produced a brilliant wonderful elegant tool! Very much in the spirit/style/approach of SketchUp. If the way I'm feeling is any indication you are making a lot of people feel much more positive about the future of SU. Re the "endless modelling possibilities.....", that's the dangerous part.

remus, I'm definitely thinking about building possibilities, maybe a first attempt this weekend

Fred

I won't spam the gallery with these... I promise. I just need to get out my joy at having such an incredibly powerful new tool with which to play/work. Subdivide and Smooth is just too groovy!

A variation on Remus's approach. It's not your Daddy's SketchUp ... subd and smooth ... oh my gosh ... the possibilities!

John's right... although I object a bit to the "look so weird" phrase.

Here is the picture used. Some Cherry blossum buds on a sunny May afternoon. Ahhh, so brief but so beautiful!

OK, thanks to the encouragement of Coen's newsletter, and the amazing work that other's that have been sharing, I went and purchased Dale Marten's Subdivide and Smooth ruby. This thing is really dangerous. It opens up way too many possibilities! Wow!! Thanks Dale... I think.

Dylan,

Really nice elegant model!

If you feel like sharing I'd love to know the major steps in the process you went through to create it.

Fred

Clearly someone is making shapes like this... or this is a very good render

http://ffffound.com/image/fb8c3ee691900b17e6f73065e127243713eb382b