Dzign,

SU is a "surface" modeler (2d shapes in 3d space), it sounds like you are looking for a feature that is part of a "solid" modeler.

Go here http://morisdov.googlepages.com/ to get a script that will move select surfaces from one position in a scene to another position in the next scene.

Fossa,

Many of my clients love the SU animation as they are often unable to pay for anything high end, but appreciate something extra. With interior animations, keep your shadows off, they will flash unless you can avoid the "intentional" SU bug:-) Search the forum for a partial solution if you want to use SU to animate interiors with shadows.

Hi Gigi,

Not sure I understand, but sounds like section and slice may it for you. It allows you to cut a couple of sections in your deck, remove the portion between and join the balance. Check out Su help and search by "section".

If you go to su's resources folder, there is a i18n.dat file that has the default location of Su(free). In locations.dat there is information for various world wide locations. Anyone know if these files can be used to setup your shadows?

Although I do not use ACAD, I use DXF to import my model into Su. The ACAD entity that imports as a surface is a 3DFace. You can ask other ACAD users if other entities import as surfaces. Hope this helps you.

Taff,

Thanks, I was in the process of taking a educated swing at it; just hoping that someone knew off hand. Currently, the dxf file I import is a simple entity file of 3dfaces(no blocks, etc.) and it imports into Su as a component with the file name. I am guessing that blocks may be treated as components, and was setting up a test to see if I was right. The fact is that my knowledge of dxf is very weak and while my original translator works, it was designed more by brute force them finesse.

I looked at your file and I see lots of stuff in it that I do not use (or know how to use), but will take your approach if mine fails.

Uploading stuff below:

I use a program that rewrites the closed polylines in a dxf file as 3dFaces so that ShetchUp can import them as surfaces. The program is written to preserves the layer of each surface.

Can anyone tell me how to annotate the dxf file so that SketchUp will see each layer as a component?

Some of the shadows look OK, the large dark areas seem to cast on the ground and building only (not other trees in front) as though they are on a transparent plane (but not to the shadow) in front of the camera. Can you selectively remove the tree in left foreground? Anything else in that location?

Hmmm......!

Hmm......! Rather not, I'll live with it. Just got to remember to open the subject "in a new tab", or use the links under the forum name. Thanx anyway. Out of curiosity, are most of the users here on Macs?

No.

Same message.

Say I select the ruby forum, then I select a subject, when I use the IE "page back" I get a system (IE) message that the previous page has expired. I can not return to the ruby forum page without going all the way back to the page I started from. If its only me, then maybe something with my IE setup?

When I "page back" from a subject in a Forum with my IE button. The Forum is often "expired" and I must repeatedly "page back" until I find a Forum page that displays. Do I have a bad setting somewhere?

For those who have problems with materials and lights in Su2Pov, the following:

1. As previously documented regarding placing the lights: First be sure that a copy of the Su2Pov folder is in the Su components folder. Use the <esc> key after selecting a Su2Pov light fixture to produce a cursor that will locate the light.

2. The "edit Pov-Ray Finish" menu is available if you start Su by selecting a project.skp with your mouse. If you start the program before opening a file, the menu may not appear. Once the program is started in this way, the menu is available, until you shut down. The dos screen flashes from time to time when the feature can not be accessed. Make sure that you edit component or group for access to a material.

Aside from always starting the program in this way is to make a shortcut of a untitled.skp, rename it SketchUp, and change the folder icon to the Su icon, place the shortcut where ever you start your program from. The drawback to this is that you can not start Su by dragging a file into the shortcut.

If anyone finds exception to this, let me know and I will edit this post.

Marlise,

It depends on many things including the materials of the building and the building type. Offhand it varies between 4 inches and 2-4 feet. In addition to the structure in the floor are things like electrical and mechanical equipment. It also matters if it is on the ground floor or a basement or a upper floor.

Test
Another Test

Movie.wmv

Test

[flash=480,385:osj7r0tx]http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/dC5fxTk1cWU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0[/flash:osj7r0tx]

[attachment=3:osj7r0tx]<!-- ia3 -->Temp03.jpg[
/attachment][attachment=5]Temp00.jpg<!-- ia3 -->[/attachment:osj7r0tx]
[attachment=3:osj7r0tx]<!-- ia3 -->Temp24.jpg<!-- ia3 -->[/attachment:osj7r0tx]
[flash=480,385:osj7r0tx]http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/3cJl2WjpQSc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0[/flash:osj7r0tx]

[flash=480,385:osj7r0tx]http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/dRv_uTOQMEU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0[/flash:osj7r0tx]

I have had some success at lighting and rendering living room size spaces, but small rooms with a variety of ceilings and lots of reflective surfaces is difficult. I am using Su2Pov v3.2 because its easy (I am lazy), and I like the default colors its rendering produces. My problem seem to be:

1. Reflections: The freestanding glass is a pulled face, all surfaces painted with Su glass. Should I change the Su color?, What percent of transparency in is best? Anything else?

2. Multiple shadows: Look at the bands at the intersection of the soffit and ceiling. I use fuzzy halogen spots with wide apertures, 90 to 135 mostly (360) on occasion. I first place the light down from the ceiling, then up at various heights off the floor to light the ceiling. Any suggestions?

3. Sharp textures: I think that the textures are too sharp for the scale of the room. Can anything be done at the level of Su?

4. Mirrors: are a white face behind, then a pulled face with transparent Su glass over. Any better way to make one?

The renderings of larger spaces have some of these characteristics, but because of their scale, it doesn't seem to matter as much. Don't have to be kind. This is really my first shot at anything like this, and it looks like I could use some advice so that I can get pass this level and add some details.

Guess I stand corrected. I did the drawings for free, and maybe it was never used. Perhaps redone by someone else. According to what I just read elsewhere, even the paper the drawing is on may be specified. Go here for help: http://www.PatentDrawings.com