@andybot said:

:? I was just thinking what if AutoDesk had bought SU, would it be killed off already?

Not to say Trimble won't still toss it overboard

I'd like to say "no" they wouldn't have. I mean look at FormIt. It is basically a SU like program for mobile devices and now on the web (pretty rough but still a beta). It's free and sure it is meant as tool for Revit users but no foul for wanting to further your own products. More work is needed but it looks to be at least progressing. I would like to think that SU would have either been enhanced or turned into a better tool.
The recent 123D tools are another nice tool set for users. Although I did not like the sudden shift that 123D Design made from a pro-sumer tool to it's more simplified form.
SU has been my go to app for some time (since v2) and I would hate to see it die but I do not like it's future

@pbacot said:

Also heard of TapaTalk. What's that? How do you get it?

Thanks, Peter

It should be in the app store. I have on my iPod touch as well as my Galaxy Note 10. It is an app to access user forums. I think there is a free and paid version. I have paid versions.

Well I never use the imported lines from the DWG file. I always select all the lines of the DWG and then group them. I then trace over and when I am at a certain point I can delete the DWG items all together and clean the file up a bit. I guess it depends on the intended purpose of the model and your work flow. Sure a few extras steps in the beginning but worth it for my needs.

Hi all, I am trying to render a scene with the Maxwell plugin that was set up with photo match. I am not using any photo matched images but I did set up the view with the photo matched image. When I start the render I only get a blank scene.
Here is what I get. Any ideas?
TIA

Glenn

@solo said:

Vali architect's plugins:

SketchUp Extensions | Vali Architects | Instant Scripts

(www.valiarchitects.com)

Wow, never saw these before. Very cool.
Thanks

Good point from both Solo and Norbert.

@joe wood said:

Boy I don't know, then I'd have to transfer everything on this computer over onto the newer one and I've never done anything like that before. Is it that difficult?

Yeah you'd basically have to reinstall all applications and then transfer all files as well. That is the worst part of getting a new PC. It can be a pain but it's worth it when you get better hardware.

You know Joe, getting a newer, used PC is not a bad idea. Here is a local CL add in your area that has 2 of those for $90 each.

craigslist | Page Not Found

(sandiego.craigslist.org)

They are older but they do use PCIe video cards (the newer ones) and they are dual core, 64-bit cpus which will be far and away better than your P4 based system. I really would not spend any money on that old system. I had one just like it and while it was a good PC for the 6 years I had it just got to a point where it was not worth upgrading it.
Search around a bit on CL and fins one local, this way you can maybe see it run and check it's condition before you buy.
Good luck

@joe wood said:

OK, it has a 250 watt psu.

Did you open the case and verify?

@sketch3d.de said:

@joe wood said:

'how to replace video card'

uninstall the ATI driver (see above), replace card (do ground yourself before touching), install the latest AMD Catalyst driver (see above), done.

Norbert

+1, it really is that easy. Good luck Joe. I have one similar to that in my laptop and I am unimpressed but other factors may be involved.

@numerobis said:

I think the latest and fastest available AGP card is the Radeon HD 4670 from 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radeon_HD_4000_Series

It should be much faster than a 7800GS. Here is the comparison to the 7800GT (no GS in the Chart)
http://www.tomshardware.de/charts/gaming-grafikkarten-charts-2009-3.-quartal-mainstream-quality-update-2/vergleichen,1572.html?prod%5B2905%5D=on&prod%5B2900%5D=on
http://www.tomshardware.de/charts/gaming-grafikkarten-charts-2009-3.-quartal-mainstream-quality-update-2/Sum-of-FPS-Benchmarks-1680x1050,1572.html

I don't know if you can find it as new card - the HD 4350 is still available http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161318

But there are some listed on ebay.

Ati and it's openGL driver issues are well documented on this site. I have an ati hd on my laptop and it can't touch my gf gt in my desktop in SU. It plays games well but not SU.
Just my results.

@joe wood said:

Ya soon need a new pc but first I need to get a laptop.

How do I tell if I have a full sized case?
Same with the 400 amp power? I looked in C Panel > System but don't see any power Info.

Glenn, how did you find that C List add? I went to the computer section, did a search for nVidia GF7800GS and nothing came up.

Open up the case and look on the power supply and see what it says. As for the case unless it is real small it should be big enough. All I did was go to SD cl and search agp in the computer section and found it. You should see if you have a spare power connection as well.

OK Joe the best you can do with an AGP based system is an nVidia GF7800GS. You might have to buy used as they are no longer made.

craigslist | Page Not Found

(sandiego.craigslist.org)

Just make sure you system can use the card. It needs a full size case, a 400w power supply and a spare power connector (the white ones with a 4 pin connection).

Pretty soon you will need to get a new PC
Good luck.

@dave r said:

Import the dwg file into SketchUp and put the lines on the face.

+1. This is what I do. Easy enough.

Been wishing for this for so long. It is nice to do so in Acad (pretty much anything that uses layers). It is such a simple thing you have to wonder why it was never implemented to start with.

Sorry Dan, I have 2013 installed just haven't had a chance to really use it much. I am disappointed in it and really haven't seen much in upgrades since 7 for me to get excited about it as much. There were a few new items in 8 that were cool but not earth shattering.
I agree with much of what Jason has said. I did in fact get Bonzai3D v3 recently and I might move to it more with it's advanced tool set. I will say that it (Bonzai) is no where as easy to use as SU but nothing really has been.
I don't use SU Layout so no real incentive for me to buy it once the 2013 demo is gone.

@unknownuser said:

well, yeah.. they could do that.. but 3-4 years down the line, su7 might not even work with the current operating systems etc..

it's not really like they've changed the policy.. this is trimble's first release and we are seeing their policy for the first time.

how it pans out with pre-trimble users is somewhat irrelevant from their point of view (i imagine)

I agree Jeff, just pointing the obvious out

@unknownuser said:

..there are people that use suFree in a commercial environment because google let them.. but, now that it's not allowed, they'll buy the software.. (or quit using it)

Or keep using the Google one and just keep rolling. Nothing to stop them from using say suFree 7 is there? They will get that nag screen on start up from time to time

Yeah, I see no big deal here myself. TinkerCAD had pretty much decided to go in another direction way before the buy out so it looks like a good deal for both parties.
AutoDesk has really charged ahead on new mobile and web technology. What prices they are charging seem fair for what you get. Most so far have been free or next to free.

@solo said:

Well in fairness Fox was the dick-wads that cancelled Firefly...bastards! Syfy just never had the backers to invest in another BSG, too bad, I blame Caprica for poisoning the brand.

I agree, I tried to watch Caprica but 15 minutes was all I could do