Richard O'Brien :

               One thing I forgot to mention.............in making my later models in Sketchup,  I first used SAVE AS to save it on my  external HD.  Then before closing that session in Sketchup,  I used SAVE AS again, but I directed it to disk (as a back-up).  Could that saving it twice, even though in different locations be considered two component instances ?     Before,on my older .skp files, what I did was, saved the model on my external HD.  Then, after closing  Sketchup,  I did a copy-and-paste of the files, using My COMPUTER/ F drive (my external HD).  Right-clicking which .skp files I wanted to back up. Right-clicking on COPY. Then clicking on D drive (where my CD-RW (or DVD-RW) is located.......right-clicking and selecting PASTE.       I wonder if THIS  procedure did not constitute a second component instance.
   One more thing.....while within Sketchup, while working on a couple of newer .skp file,  I DID change the STYLE for that model.  So I wouldn't have any lines showing. Thinking, once it's rendered, it would look that much more realistic.  I wonder if that's where the 2nd STYLE in the STATS came in.

                                                              garystan

Richard O'Brien :

             Sorry about being such a pain-in-the-$%$%%^, I've been doing some research on the subject of Component Instances.  I'm, slowly, starting to grasp the concept.  An 'instance' is when something takes place, gets established. Correct ?   When I do this more than once, it would be 2 instances, etc............ In this model I created, which is a very old model, there are 0 instances, and only 1 Style.  I've read the definitions of Component Instances and Component Definitions in the Google Sketchup Help Center.       Now, with this model, there are no Instances.

One thing that might help is..........what causes a Component Instance to be created ? When I made this model, I didn't do anything to it, except use SAVE AS, and put it in my files (on disk and external HD). I wish there was a better way to get hold of this concept, without being so bothersome. But, I DO know this.....once I get this down to a science, I'll better understand part of the mechanics of Sketchup.
Again, sorry about being a real pain.

                                                        garystan

Hi everybody :

           I'm having a bit of a problem importing from Sketchup (7.1) another rendering software. (Please don't be insulted....)  I'm importing into Turbo Floor Plan.   Some .skp file slip right in with no problem.  A couple I DO have a problem with.  I did a comparison of a couple of the models.  The "Grand Piano", "Wooden Bench" and  "Modern Park Bench".  Grand Piano imports with no problems, same for Wooden Bench.  But, Modern Park Bench is a bit of a problem.  I've included a pic of the Stats of each.  And, where noted with the red arrow, are the differences.  I'm trying to get an understanding of "Component Instances". In this respect there IS  a difference.   Also,  I don't understand the difference in the 'Styles'.  For all my Sketdchup models, I use the same type of Style.  I don't change it.    There are other questions....but that'll have be asked in another post.
                                                 garystan

Hi everybody :

             Within the Create Component dialog box, one of the settings is "Replace selection with component".  I, sort of, understand what this is about.....something about turning the  'selection' into a component instance.   I'm kinda 'fuzzy' on  component instances.
      Could someone clarify this setting ?

                                                     Thanks,
                                                     garystan

Marian :

             Your pic describes, basically, what I'm trying to accomplish. But, with the  'side pieces' included.    After some working with the project, I DID manage to get it done.   The only thing, though,  I'd probably have to do it a couple of times.  So I know that I have it 'down to a science'.    Here's a few shots of what I was trying to do. I've included a couple of views of it.     But, in a case like this, I'm not sure whether to make it a GROUP or a COMPONENT.  For the purpose of making editing easier.     Initially, I wanted to 'cut' a piece out of the center part of the tracks (including the side pieces) and paste it to both ends of the tracks.
                                                        garystan

Hi everybody :

            I made this design as a  'part' of a larger project. But, I ran into a problem.   I didn't extend, at least, one end of the railroad tracks. So I could connect them together.  I want to make a copy of it to extend the total length.   I tried to copy just the center portion, but I kept getting only the side framework, or just the tracks.   I DID make it into a Component (or would it have been better to make it into a Group? ). 
     I didn't think about doing this from the start.    I should have extended the ends in the first place.
     The view is from the top.
                                                 garystan

Hi everybody :

           Question :    Is there a way to set, in the user TEMPLATE,  a set height for projects ?   I was using the component 'Sang' as a guide.  But, I just did a check on his height, using the tape measure, and he's 33' in height.     I'd like to be able to use Sang as a guide (for the average height).   This way,  any models that I create will be of  'normal'  height.  So I won't have to do too much adjusting when I insert the model(s) into a project.      Or, can I just a 'redo' my  "Opening Template", and adjust Sang's height, then resave  "Opening Template"  ?   
                                                                        garystan

Thanks guys................

                           garystan

Too bad SU didn't have the option of being able to paint on curved or irregular surfaces.

                                                          garystan

@solo said:

Try sculptris or Daz studio.

Sketchup is not suited for this type of modeling.

solo :
I just checked out Sculptris. Seems nice enough. But, I couldn't find information on the formats that are used in the SAVE or SAVE AS function.

                                                                garystan

PMiller :

           I'll take a look at Form Fonts.
                                    Thanks,
                                     garystan

Pilou :

    I looked at 3D Warehouse.  Most of the models look like zombies with their arms stretched out.

                                                         garystan

This could be used as an addition/add-on to a home...........

                                                      garystan

Hi everybody :

               This is a flash-back from the 70s...............

                                                      garystan

Hi everybody :

            Here's a  "racy" car I drew in Sketchup.....

                                             garystan

@thomthom said:

Check the scale you import it at. There type of issues are usually a result of very small faces. Change the import scale - then you can scale down the component instance to the correct size.

thomthom :

           As I imported a 3DS file into Sketchup (version 7.1),  I too noticed  "triangulation".    I tried scaling it,  but that didn't work.
            The files I downnloaded from 3D Warehouse seem okay.  They are  .skp files.    The only problem with 3D Warehouse, is that all the  3D people look like zombies, with their arms stretched out.

There's no 3D figures walking or riding a bike.....etc...\

                                                   garystan

How do I create 3D people to use in Sketchup ?
I've tried looking at the software, but the ones I saw were
VERY expensive ($700 +).
And the downloads that I've seen, they're not exactly the way I want the 3d people to be posed.

                                               garystan

Hi everybody :

         Are there any videos on making terrains ?   I tried following the instructions from Sketchup forum, using Sandbox, but they were kind of vague.  I'm using Sketchup version 7.1

                                              garystan

@cyberdactyl said:

Twice now in the last month I have run into new clients who, once they saw proposals by my firm were partially done in SU had less than enthusiastic responses. Not that the work was under par, no, they were pleased with the design ideas, it was more that the work was done with that "shareware software" their kids were playing with at school.

I explained SU Pro was a powerful application that was easy to learn, but difficult to master, but I still had a strong feeling SU had lost the dazzle it had even a few months ago. My only guess is that it is indeed now so popular everyone sees it as old hat.

Has anyone else had experiences similar to this recently?

P: Cyberdactyl

HI Cyberdactyl :

         I'm not a "Professional" Architect, just an average citizen.   I've been using Sketchup for quite a while now.  And, with it,  I can customize furniture, lights, etc..........
         So, don't go telling me it's  "just some kid's toy".  
         The stuff I create in  Sketchup, I import into Turbo Floor Plan 3D (no offense to Sketchup users).   Here's a couple of examples....................
                                                           garystan

Hi everybody :

           Here's a couple of pics for weekends.........a time to sit and relax.....

                                             garystan