You can also divide the circle into any number of lines without doing any mathematical calculations at all.
When you choose the circle tool, before you draw the circle simple type the number of facets you want that circle to be made of. The default number of facets is 24 but you can simply type '60' and then hit 'enter' and the circle you'll draw will be made of 60 facets. Now offset that circle by however much you need the out-side circle to be, draw a line from an endpoint in the inner circle to the corresponding endpoint in the outer circle, copy/rotate 59 times and you're done.

Have a look at the attached file:

circle div..skp

Thanks guys.

I'd like to see a 'wish list' here.
Just throw in everything you think should be there to make SU the ideal workshop program.

I am currently working in collaboration with a friend of mine who is a computer engineer and programer on putting together a complete set of SU tools for woodworkers. The set will (of course) include optimisation and cutting list diagrams but will also include functions such as incremental scaling, construction method definition, edge-banding calculation, parts list, assembly views, hardware distribution and a bunch of other tools that I find I need and wish SU would do. Of course, all these tools would be fully integrated into SU and would appear as a special tool-bar.

I would like to hear from you guys if you have any ideas for other tools that you think could or should be included.
I would also like to have anyone who is interested test the tools as they are developed.

We're at the very first stages right now but I'll keep you posted as we progress.

I agree with Dave. You have to consider two things:

1. File size
2. Resolution

The resolution at which you or your client will view the model is in most cases such that such details as the exact profile isn't an issue, and if you aren't carefull (and I speak here from personal experience) you'll find the highly faceted profiles all over your piece doubles and on occaision triples the file size.

Your work is truely inspirational!

SketchUp readily accepts dwg. files and easily integrates them into models.

I knew you'd know it, Eric.

"Bobby Bolivia, like the country but without the runs."

Best part of the movie IMHO.

Not even close, Joe.

Actualy you can easily 'router' any shape you want along any and all edges using the 'follow me' tool.
Have a look at the attached file.

ogee.skp

I do it the same way............. only in English

Tonight is the beggining of the Passover holiday so I thought I'd take this opportunity to wish all the Jewish SketchUpers out there a very happy Passover.
Traditionaly, Passover wishes usually include best wishes for health and happiness for the comming year. Seeing as you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy health and happiness I would like to extend those wishes to EVERYBODY! regardless of religion, race or anything else which on occasion divides us.
My very best to you all

Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Titmas is so right. I don't believe there is a huge difference between the different brands in terms of the tools ability to preform the task for which it was bought. For me, one of the major factors in deciding which brand to buy is the service track record of the company or vendor. Lets face it, any brand tool can break down or be found to be defective. The question then is what kind of service will you get from the people you bought it from. Will you be greeted with a "We're here for you, how can we help" type of attitude or will you find yourself wasting valuble time running around trying to get service and/or answers?

Also, I'm reminded of the time my daughter asked for a puppy for her birthday. She had very spcific ideas as to what the puppy she wants should be like. I told her to try and let go of those ideas and to go to the adoption center without a specific puppy in mind. I told her to just walk around for a while and that she and the puppy will choose each other. And that's exactly what happened. The puppy we adopted was nothing like she had described as 'the perfect puppy' but she (the puppy) has been a much loved member of the family for 5 years now.
It's a lot like that with tools. You'll pick up a tool and it will just feel right.
"It's a mystical bond between man and machine." - who said this and in what movie?

Another beautiful piece, Jean.
Do you use 'intersect with model' to make those legs? It's how I do it.

Beautiful work Jean-Franco!
I have one question. See the picture:

Charlie hi,
There's another thing you can do that will save you the trouble of having to move the different pieces around. After having exploded the model as Remus rightly suggested, go to:

View > Component edit > hide rest of model

What this does is that when you double click on any of the parts to put it into edit mode, the rest of the model dissappears making it easier to view the chosen part. You aren't actualy going to edit the part, but you will have a clearer, unobstructed view of it. Then just click anywhere outside the 'bounding box' and the rest of the model re-appears.

Hi Philip,
I'm glad you found it useful.
As for the 3-D figure, on the board index you will see a heading called "Components, Materials & Styles".
Search there and you'll find quite a number of 3-D figures that are generously offered by some of the SU masters who (unlike me) are able to create them.

This is undoubtedly one of the most generous forums on the web.

@chiefwoodworker said:

But I have found that a lot of experienced SketchUp people tend to shy away from layers,

That's news to me. I know that I create layers at a later stage of my model, in other words I create the layers as the need for them arises and not as a srarting point. The model I attached was for illustration purposes only. I'm not saying I would always use that many layers. I have found that using a specific layer for the units of specific walls or plan views is very helpful for the later stage of compiling the hard copy project plans for the craftsmen together with the optimisation output. I use the Cutlist Plus program from Bridgewood Design which I find to be one of the most cost effective optimisation programs available.
Being able to 'switch off' as it were entire sections of the kitchen makes printing out shop drawing a breeze and the same applies to inputting optimisation data.
It could also have something to do with my Austro-Hungarian genes.
I have this 'thing' about everything having to have a place of it's own so that order can be maintained. (the word 'order' here has to said with a thick German accent )

Joe, I'd like to clarify something about layers, if I may.
Layer "0" is for modeling and displaying. In other words, it is the 'main' layer where all the action takes place. When you draw something that you wish to group or which you want to turn into a component, you do so on layer "0". After your group or component is done you can assigne it to a different layer.
To illustrate:
Say I'm planning out a kitchen.
I'll start off by drawing the walls. Once I've got my walls (each one a group) I create a layer called "walls" and assign the walls to that layer.
Back to layer "0".
I now begin to model my kitchen. I'll model the units that will go along wall 'A'. Just the units mind you. Not the counter top, just the units. When I'm done I create a layer called "units wall A" and assigne those units to that layer.
Back to layer "0".
And so on.
Now I can easily choose what is visible and what isn't without having to mess about with hide and unhide.
Take a look at this little model I slapped together.

Layers Illustration.skp
Everything has it's own layer.
If I want to change something in any given ellement in the model I can turn off the visibility of anything that gets in my way.
I don't really know why but I do know that it is important to do your modeling on layer "0".

I hope this clears up the layers issue a bit.

Have a look at the attached file.
Hope it helps.

inference tut.skp