Very cool, thanks for sharing. I saved mine to my flash drive as a portable app.

I agree with bobr. I have Bonzai 3D which is basically FormZ and I am able to open native SU files with all materials in place. Just did a test and looks just like the SU model. Might be a day short and a dollar late though

Yeah, I misread Mike. Solid advice for sure.

@otb designworks said:

... And the iPad viewer they released? laughably useless. So so much for that getting much better any time in the future...And no real face making real-time sections? It's not like we are asking for the earth here...

...

A $9.99 viewer at that.

Yet AutoDesk continues to develop and refine their mobile 3D app FormIt. Sure it's target user is the Revit group but nothing stopping a non revit user from using it. I believe obj and stl exports are coming soon.

I agree with alpro but you need to have AutoCAD Arch to do this in. If you have it then be in plan mode and then go to file and export to AutoCAD. This will give you a clean, flat 2D plan. If you don't have AutoCAD Architecture maybe ask the people you got it from to do it for you. It only takes a minute of time.

I only use my dwg files as a reference. I never pull faces from those lines. I always draw over the dwg files. Sure it adds extra work but for me it saves time as I have a much cleaner model.

@arcad-uk said:

Only played with Bonzai for a few hours but seems to have the modelling features that TSU should be feeding into their major upgrades by now. Oh and they have a support system that is keen for feedback and development ideas ... If you are reading this JB you better get your running shoes on!

Agreed on the modeling tools. The included architectural tools alone are time/money savers. One just need to invest their time into learning the procedures. Something I still need to do myself.

@arcad-uk said:

I'm looking at my options...

301 Moved Permanently

(www.formz.com)

I have it and it's a great program, not as easy as SU but it does have lots of potential.

@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.