The responses in this thread left be baffled.

All I did was install SU, copy the "Google SketchUp 6" directory from "C:\Program Files\Google" to the USB drive. Take it to the new PC and run the "SketchUp.exe" file.

The only plugin that complained was IDX renderer but I just Ok the error message and everything else works fine.

I only use the free version but I don't think that it has a problem opening models produced by the Pro version.

@matt666 said:

Hi !
Here is the script... Good ?

So close, I have attached a test box model, try the script on that.

I think I am going to learn Ruby......
test-box.skp

I was reading the Ruby section forum the other day and came across this post, it is a fantastic tool for creating pieces of wood in one go.

Enter the height and width of the wood and then click click, enter, right click, change to component and you are done.... well nearly you still have to do the joints etc.

Do you know how easy this tool makes it to create pieces of wood for my models!!!! Hit D, enter 2 of the dimensions, click click, done.

That is awesome, thank you...

@matt666 said:

Hum... I think it's not possible to identify all dimension entities associated with an object via actual ruby. We don't have any access to dimension entities via ruby.

Maybe I am not explaining myself very clearly, sorry about that. I don't want the script to place the dimensions there for me. All point 4 does is create a second hidden layer for the component. Heres the functions of the script in plain english:

1. Read the components and their names. (eg Leg, Drawer side, etc)
2. Create a layer with the same name as the first component. (A layer called "Leg")
3. Move any component with that name to the newly created layer. (All "Leg" components get moved to the "Leg" layer)
4. Create a second layer, the name is the same as the first component + "- sizes" (A layer called "Leg - sizes")
5. Repeat for all components.
6. Create a "Scene 1" if it does not exist already.
7. Disable all the "sizes" layers for Scene 1.
8. Create a scene with the same name as the first component. (A scene called "Leg" is created)
9. For that scene disable all layers except the component and the component sizes layer. (Only the layers "Leg" and "Leg - sizes" are enabled for the scene "Leg")
10. Repeat for all components.

After the script has finished I would be able to change to the scene for that component and place the dimensions that I wanted to for that component on the sizes layer.

Is there a script that would allow you to right click once and select "Rotate material 90 degrees" instead of having to right click it twice?

For those that are following along at home, I worked out how to change the orientation of the texture so that the grain of the wood runs along instead of across:

1. Edit the component.
2. Select the face that you want to change the texture orientation.
3. Right click it.
4. Select "Texture -> Position"
5. Click and drag the green circle 90 degrees.
6. Click outside the area to close the texture orientation tool.
7. Go to 2 for all faces that need changing.
8. Close the component.

Probably best demonstrated with this model. Lets say the model has 5 components, all design and construction is done on Layer0. Once finished you run the "Components to Layers" and end up with the 11 layers.

1. Layer 0
2. A layer for each component.
3. A second layer for each component to show the measurements.

You also end up with 6 scenes

1. Scene 1, all component layers are enabled showing the entire model. The measurements layers are disabled.
2. A scene for each component, each components scene has 2 layers enabled, the components layer and the "Sizes layer"

After the script has been run then the measurements for the piece could be placed on the "Measurements" layer.

I do woodworking models and to show the layout of each piece I put each component on a seperate layer and create a scene that just shows that layer.

I would like a script that would:

1. Create a seperate layer for each component.
2. Give the layer the same name as the component.
3. Put each component on it's layer.
4. Create a second layer for each component giving it the name of "Sizes " + the component name.
5. Create a scene for each component where the only layer enabled is the component's layer and the "Sizes" layer.

@dave r said:

Which axis did I miss?

If I am understanding you correctly you are saying to change the texture direction you have to change the axis orientation?

@anssi said:

Don't curse the SU inferencing, learn its quirks so it start working for you. One of the keys is to use Shift (locking) creatively with the inferences.

I never fought it, I just needed practice to get it to do what I wanted. I knew the Shift key locked tools like the protractor but didn't know it locked inferencing too, thanks.

@unknownuser said:

And I also agree with Alan, watch all the training videos... many times over.

That's one of the things I didn't do, I was too keen to just jump right in, I downloaded all of the SU5 videos, watched one or 2 and got bored. I enjoyed the doing and learning by mistakes more than just sitting passively watching someone else do it.

@dave r said:

Hazza, I'm curious. What is your intended use for these models?

A little background:
I work 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off on a defence contract. I am an electronics technician, if the site is running then we don't have much to do the 12 hours a day that we work. My intention for these models is to make them the best possible models as I can, to occupy my time.

@dave r said:

I agree that there's a lot of poorly modeled stuff in the 3D Warehouse. What is the goal of your collection here?

The warehouse sets no standard, the goal is to raise the bar to be included in the collection. Sharing knowledge with each other on how to improve the models submitted. For example, how did you change the orientation of the wood grain on my bird feeder model? You missed one and I want to try it myself

@hazza said:

I will ask their permission to fix the minor errors that stop them being included.

I have e-mailed the original modeller and he said I can do what I want with them. I have only done 4 models so far but I have seperated each piece of wood so that they are individual components.

@watkins said:

No they are not mine, but they look to be well drawn.

They are all well made models, sadly all but one of the models fail the criteria. Almost all of them have several pieces of wood as a single component.

The model pages don't allow me to contact the owner but one had their web site so I can send them an e-mail. I will ask their permission to fix the minor errors that stop them being included.

I thought that there are alot of people on this forum that have alot of great knowledge and are willing to share it. In that spirit I wanted to start a thread on what's your ONE tip would you give a beginner?

Add just one tip, select one technique or method or tool that you think would be the most useful or it could be an unexpected gotcha to be careful of.

My tip would be:
"If you are going to use more than one copy of an item in the model make it a component, it saves file size and any changes are reflected in all copies"

@dave r said:

I've drawn a few pieces of furniture with SketchUp. Most everything (although not all) I draw is to joinery detail level for construction drawings.

Are they available to have a look at? Are you interested in adding them to the SketchUcation collection?

@watkins said:

Do you know about these models?

I do now, are they yours?

I will download them and check them out when I can get on a computer with SU on it.

@jean-franco said:

Hazza, the console project has been updated and you can check if it's convenient for you.

If you say that your model has been updated and the problems fixed then I believe you... not only that, the computer I am on does not have SU on it

@unknownuser said:

If I understand right it is more important if you export to another application

That's my understanding as well, that's why reversed faces does not stop the model from being included in the collection.

Bert, as complex as your models are it is very easy for me to check them. Each piece has it's own page and you have inspired me to do the same. There are a couple of models with overlapping or incomplete solids though.

You have to look quite hard at some of your models to find the issues but the quailty of the collection will be determined by what is excluded.

Having said that, if anyone notices a problem with a model that is in the collection please let me know, after all I am only human and I may have missed something.

If anyone wants to see excellent examples of not only the finished model but the layout of the scenes then they should have a look at Berts models. A few of them have small issues like overlapping solids or the solid is incomplete but they are all high quality.

The majority of Berts models have a scene for each component individually and dislays the measurements for them as well. I think I will revisit my models to do the same thing.