I find I get 2/3 times as much work done if I'm left alone with headphones on to get on with my work, but I usually end up listening to the same genres of music and I was wondering if any of you rabble had any musical suggestions for accompanying design work?

About 3/4 of the time I listen to 90s dance/rave via Soundcloud, but I'm also fond of a bit of swing music (Ratpack era) and Classical every now and then, but I find that they don't get me working as fast as the dance music.

Feel free to suggest what you find helps the process along ....... and don't be embarrassed, we're all friends here

@rich o brien said:

Fredo's SUClock

Tsk tsk, where are my manners - I forgot to say thank you

I suspect that the answer will be negative, but I was wondering if there is a way in SU to see how much time you have spent with a particular drawing open? This way I won't have to guess how long I've spent on a drawing.

Thanks

@tig said:

Looks like you've broken SketchUp
Can I suggest you close SketchUp and try a 'Repair' on the SketchUp app in the 'Programs and Features' Control Panel...
When you restart SketchUp what happens ?

Well as usual I feel ridiculous. So simple was the fix that I suspect you may have been winding me up TIG

Grabbing the edge to expand the box does nothing to show the layers, but simply clicking in the grey tab at the top!

Here is what I mean....

My layer manager box and button are still present and semi functional, but all the layers have gone missing in every drawing that I open. I can see that they are still there in the drop down layer viewer, but I am unable to delete or turn layers on/off as they are not visible to me in Layer Manager.

When I click on the Layer Manager button it brings up a minimized version of the usual control panel, but even when I expand it, it is empty!

@gaieus said:

Well, I am not sure if iRender licenses are transferable at all. If not, that should be a definite "NO". If yes, you may still be lucky.

I hope so, I'm not the type to be upsetting folk

Did I mention that I'm skint and I've got kids to feed (can you hear the violin playing in the background?)

@olishea said:

Yeah that is pretty cheeky! And considering irender nxt staff frequent these forums you should probably remove this post! Is there not a trial version you could play with?

If you want easy to use render software, I would definitely recommend Podium and Twilight. Both are capable of stunning images with a very small learning curve. Prices are more appealing too

Thanks for replying Oli. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong, I just thought that if anyone has bought 2 then they'd have got the third free, so if it was going to waste then I'd gratefully make use of it. Is this not allowed? Honestly mate I've no idea????

I will definitely look into the other two renderers that you have suggested - thanks dude

I've been seeking alternative methods of rendering and have so far been confused by Kerkythea and let down by Lumion, but I've just discovered "IRender nxt" which looks perfect for my needs and ability (or lack of). However, at $500 I'm not exactly pleased with the cost and was wondering if any truly kind and benevolent forum friend might have a spare licence?

I am already conceding that the chances of this are incredibly slim, but seeing as Christmas adverts are starting to be shown on TV, I thought I'd cross my fingers for a bit of early seasonal good-will

Assuming that I get a resounding "NO!", could anyone maybe give me a review of the software instead?

Thanks

@dave r said:

Go to the Layers inspector and click on the lock icons to unlock the layers. Then you can edit the title blocks and stuff. which layer(s) you need to unlock will kind of depend upon the template you've chosen.

I knew I'd feel foolish

Thanks though Dave

I'm sorry to bring this one back up, especially as I feel a bit foolish asking about something that is probably so simple......

When I go into Layout and select a new layout style that has a titleblock, how do I edit the titleblock to put my logo, project title etc? I assumed i just had to double click on them but that does nothing.

There are so many huge threads on here that it can be quite tricky to find exactly what a newbie like me requires. I've downloaded the demo version of SU Pro and would really like to know how the heck to use it, could one of you kind people provide me with a link to some kind of beginners guide please? (Once I've got it, feel free to delete this thread if you think it duplicates others - or is just plain boring)

Thanks

UH-OH! I just fired up Lumion for the first time and it crashed my laptop (the dreaded blue screen!)

I'm scared to try it again

@unknownuser said:

For me the more funny and easy is Lumion but in free Max (1280 x 720p) and a very little logo watermarked
it has a crazzy terrain Modeler, ocean, skyes... and accept any sort of file!
Direct file from SU + material with DAE format
[flash=560,315:ij7wvjv2]http://www.youtube.com/v/pYHVVtdeCas[/flash:ij7wvjv2]

This looks brilliant so I'm going to give it a go. Thankyou

Hello again

My query this time is which method of rendering would you recommend for simple folk like me who are still trying to get to grips with the myriad of functions on SU? Some time ago I downloaded Kerkythea, but I think I'm a long way from being able to use it as it is really rather difficult to figure out (I'm one of those annoying people that doesn't like reading boring instructions and prefers to figure things out by intuition ). I don't require things to look "photo real", just anything that is an improvement on that basic SU renders.

Thanks

@dave r said:

Next time it happens, turn on Hidden Geometry and see if there's anything connected to the geometry you're trying to move.

You never said, is the "thing" you're trying to move a group, component or loose geometry?

There were two components, a handful of groups and various loose geometry. However, when I returned to work today, the problem had somehow disappeared and I was free to move everything however I wanted

@mitcorb said:

Can you select then use the up down left right arrow keys?

I've never tried that method before, it seems to lock the axis but the flippin item still won't move. I'm afraid I can't share the drawing as it's one from work.

I've managed to get round it, but I wish I knew why this happens from time to time.

Thanks for your input gents.

@dave r said:

Is it possible the "thing" you're trying to move is a component with gluing characteristics? Or perhaps the thing is part of some other geometry that won't deform?

I'm not sure about the "gluing", it's certainly not something I've intentionally done as I just draw the equipment and "make group" when I've finished an item - nothing more. In the case just today I was trying to lower several "groups" in one go within a room that remained where it was, but it would only let me move along the red axis. I ended up having to raise the building instead!

Hello again oh Sages of SketchUp.

A simple question for you if I may. How come sometimes SU only allows me to move items along one axis? I see to frequently encounter problems moving things up and down the Blue Axis more than any other. The problem still occures when I try to follow a line that I've drawn that is on that axis, it just doesn't wove at all.

Thank you