Ecory,
To lock the inferencing (temporarily) to ANY axis hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard.
Very useful.
...

This way you can lock to the R,G or B axes.
Similarly, as in your case, when you see the Magenta coloured axis light up
(= perpendicular to edge or parallel to edge) - hold down the Shift Key also.
...
Holding down the Shift key will also lock the inferencing (temporarily) to any arbritrary axis (Black Line).
...
As mentioned, guidelines can also be used.
You could also draw a temporary line leading away from you ramp as a guide which you can delete afterwards.
...
Hope this helps
Howard L'

Edson,
I would reccomend you visit:
http://www.formfonts.com/
You'll have to take out a subscription but it's well worth it.
...
Some really good sketchy styles
...
Hope this helps

Howard L'

I could tell you about the great nightlife
I could tell you that Newcastle is the City of many Bridges
...
But the heartbeat and soul of "The Toon" lies here (see attached)
At the place of worship on the hill known as St James'
...
Howard L'

Fredo,
Just been having a quick go with your Joint Push Pull Script.
First impressions - Very impressive. Will be really useful.
...
Joint Push Pull - Excellent
Vector Push Pull - a really good idea to include this also - Excellent
Manual / Tutorial PDF - Very Comprehensive / Well written and easy to understand.
...
I'm not too sure about the "Reverse Green Axis (-Y)" - you've assumed that the Green axis will be orientated away from the observer.
IMHO I wouldn't assume that.
I think it would be best if it was "Green Axis (+Y)" - like the other axes.
(Crops up in a couple of dialog boxes / dropdowns).
For the Vector Push Pull Method, it might be useful to somehow include an option for "interactive" - so users can push pull on screen (eg along the red axis for example).
(I'm not sure if this is possible).
...
Fantastic Script.
...
Belated Thanks for your BezierSpline Script - also excellent
Used in this Tutorial:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4208
...
Regards
Howard Leslie

Todd,
Really good to see you.
Your words of wisdom are always hugely appreciated.
You've no idea how much your contributions to SU forums AND SCRIPTS have helped me in the past.
...
Howard L'

The ability to move / edit INDIVIDUAL nodes or verticies on ANY type of linework.
Similar in nature to the nodes of Bezier Curves (produced by Fredo6's fantastic BezierSpline script) which can be moved / edited.
Any moved / edited nodes to automatically adjust / fix adjacent related faces (similar to autofold).
...
Howard L'

@sorgesu said:

Is point cloud a term generally used in Terrain modelling circles? I used to pass by this script because the term was meaningless to me and I didn't have a need for making "clouds". I had no idea what it was for. So is this a common phrase and is it often that one gets this sort of "crosses" data rather than contours to work with?

Susan,
Point Clouds are usually, but not exclusively, produced with some type of Laser.
This can be mounted on a tripod / stand a bit like a surveyors theodolite or flown by an aircraft for mapping applications eg LIDAR.
...
There are many applications for Point Clouds - they are not just used for mapping / cartography / producing terrain models.
They are also used quite a lot for reverse engineering.

See this info from FARO who produce Laser Scanning Equipment:
http://www.faro.com/content.aspx?ct=ENG&content=ind
...
See also PointTools, software for looking at Point Cloud Data (Millions of Points).
Look at the examples, remember they are x,y,z points not photographs - although they quite often appear as photographs. This means you can turn the data around and view it from different angles / take measurements etc.
http://www.pointools.com/ptview_screenshots.php
...
Regards
Howard L'

James,
Hopefully you've already got some ideas to get you started, but I've updated the tutorial slightly:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4276
...
Regards
Howard L'

James,
I've made a quick tutorial for you here:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4276
...
Shows a method using SU only.
Their are lots of other methods if you have AutoCad or any GIS software.
...
Didier has produced a few scripts along these lines (Point cloud import / Triangulation etc)
You can also import a text file of x,y,z coordinates.
...
Hope this helps
Regards
Howard L'

See attached
...
A simple method to create a Surface (TIN) from Svy Symbols / Points using SU only.
(Typically imported from a CAD file)
This method works well for relatively few points
...
Scripts reqd:
points_cloud_triangulation.rb
delauney2.rb
Work together - get latest versions
Download from here:
http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/RUBY_Library_Depot.htm
Thank you Didier.
...
Centrepoint.rb
Download from here:
http://www.smustard.com/scripts/
Thank you Todd.
...
Produced in response to following request:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4240
...
Note:
X,Y,Z coordinates of surveyed points from text files / spreadsheets can also be imported into SU using different methods / scripts - this is especially useful if you have large numbers of points.
...
Howard L'

SvySymbol_2_Surface_V2.skp

Lapx,
I would try using the following (fantastic) scripts:

BezierSpline.rb - To draw the curved edges of the structure / edit edges
Weld.rb - To join the edges (optional )
Dowload from Didier's site here
http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/RUBY_Library_Depot.htm
...
SoapSkinBubble.rb - Create the curved face
Download here:
http://www.tensile-structures.de/help.html
...
This might help you:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1076
Curved Wall Tutorial
...
Regards
Howard L'

Nigel,
I've created a tutorial for you here:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4208

Cinderella - you will go to the Ball !!!
...
Hope this helps
Howard L'

You will require the following 2 amazing Scripts:

BezierSpline.rb (Thank you Fredo6)
Skin.rb (Thank you Darrel)
...
Download from Didier's Site
http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/RUBY_Library_Depot.htm
...
See attached skp file for a quick tutorial
...
You could also use SoapSkinBubble for this and similar tasks - another fantastic script.
...
Posted in response to this call for help:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4205
...
Regards
Howard L'

Skirt.skp

Tom,
I'm definitely no expert.
But some things I've found useful...
...
See attached.
2.5d files - make one of these from any CAD info you have - use them as a guide - very useful.
Save each CAD elevation / plan on its own layer so u can turn them on / off easily.
...
If you have a CAD plan view - brilliant.
Move elevations onto plan view into their correct position.
...
Add plan views for floor levels if u have them.
...
If not, use what CAD data you can get a hold of.
...
Beware of CAD data that doesn't line up !!!
(eg roof lines from different elevations)
...
In your case I'd move the elevations onto the outer SU walls as soon as you've drawn them - it then gives you a good idea of what the bldg should look like as u go along.
(also easier to punch out door / window openings).
...
Copy and Paste in Place all CAD data into a new file for safe keeping - seperate from your main model - 2.5d_CAD.skp - for example.
That way you can Copy and Paste in Place any CAD info back into your model in the future if reqd or if CAD data is too large (common).
...
Delete CAD data from your model as soon as you've finished with it.
It can drag your machine / model down.
...
PS
You're not an idiot.
I find out new things / techniques in SU all the time - especially stuff that's probably been in the program since V3 !!!
I'd be amazed if someone claimed to know it all.
...
Good Luck
Howard L'

3-bed-house w garage CAD.zip

Philip,
I've created a tutorial for you:
See
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=3439
2 Methods
...
Hope this helps

Howard L'

See attached Tutorial files
Method 1 - Using Entity Info Dialog Box.
...
Method 2 - Using Autofold
...
Produced in response to this question on Newbie Forum
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=3429&p=16898#p16898
...
Regards
Howard L'

Tapered_Columns_or_Cylinders.skp

Tapered_Columns_or_Cylinders Method 2.skp

TIG,
It's really good news that you've managed to crack the doughnut problem.
This means it will be possible to use the script on for example, walls with door and window openings, Structures with cut-outs etc
...
It will also hopefully mean that no (or very few) volume errors will be generated.
...
I can't believe nobody else has tried this script out / commented, apart from Adam and myself.
I think a script like this will be so useful to many people.
...
One of the advantages with 3d modelling in Autocad using Solids is that it gives you Volumes (as an attribute of each solid).
Now we are getting close to having this ability in SU.
...
If I notice anything else with the latest version of the script (V 2-1) or have any other comments I'll post it here.
...
Thanks once again for all your hard work

Howard L'

Nothing to do with Excel Tables !
Purely Modelling.
...
Yes, currently you can Intersect with Model.
This works well.
However, afterwards you frequently want to delete some unwanted portions of your model.
This can sometimes be very fiddley and intricate to make sure you select only the parts you want to be deleted and nothing else.
...
A Boolean type tool would essentially do the Intersect with Model and the Tidying up afterwards in one operation.
It would enable you to very rapidly create complex geometry from simple geometry eg by using one object to clip another
...
Solid modelling with Autocad and other programs has this ability.
My initial post points to an add-on for Autocad that suggests this may be possible with meshes and faces also.
...
Howard L'

Remus,
See:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3285
...
Howard L'

TIG,
See attached Zip File.
I've tried the new version of the VolumeCalculator Script V2.1.

A few bugs noted:

1. See VolumeCalculator_V2-1 Test1 SU Upgrade Reqd.skp.
   An upgrade to latest version of SU is reqd otherwise strange results with colours - everything is Red although Text is as intended. Users will need to upgrade I think.

2. See VolumeCalculator_V2-1 Test2 - Scattered Volumes.skp.
   A much cut down version of a large complex Component (too large to post) - Volumes are scattered and Volume Geometry remains on Layer 0.
   (Original geometry is a component).
   ...
   I've tried running the Script on quite a few shapes / models

Some Comments / Requests:

1. • the Red text is good, its sometimes a little tricky to spot if the model is complex but its generally very useful - a really good idea.

2. With the shapes that the script fails on - sometimes the red innards (reverse face) are tricky to spot if the gap through to the inside of the shape revealing the red colour is only a narrowish sliver - but generally it works OK.
   If the script made both the inside and outside of failed volumes red it would be more obvious - it would really stand out.
   See the polo mint shape that fails in Test 1 - this could be lost and overlooked in a complex model, especially if the shape was small.

3. A quick way to seperate out all failed volumes is required (This would be my No. 1 request).
   I think it would be a really good idea to put all failed volumes on a seperate layer eg "Volume_Errors" Layer.
   Currently its not possible to seperate them out - unless you select them by eye - and as explained above, I think some could be easily missed.
   Another possible way would be to colour up all failed volumes, by colouring up the grouped volume (which contains both the failed volume and its text). Currently this group is coloured up inside the combined group - and therefore failed volumes cannot be selected by their colour as the outer most group of volumes is currently the default su colour.

4. A way to differentiate failed volumes in the csv output eg a column stating "OK" or "Fail" ???
   If failed volumes can be seperated out by colour or layer this could possibly be omitted as failed volumes could be deleted before running the csv export..

5. What about the possibility of running the VolumeSlices Method on failed Volumes ???
   Your original (integration) method would certainly work on some of the failed volumes.
   How about having 2 check boxes on the initial dialog box to:
   a. Delete all failed Volumes
   b. Run Volume Slices Method on failed volumes - this would also need to be able to Mine down into Groups / Components.

In this case, when CSV Volumes is Run it would then pick up Volume Tags for all Volumes - Regardless of how they were initially produced (ie no matter which VolumeCalculator Method was chosen).

6. Alternatively, make both the Volume Slices Method available to users as well as The Newer Volume Method on the Right Click Menu.
   Currently you can only run one at a time.
   ...
   I hope these tests / comments are useful.
   If I find anything else I'll post the info here in this thread.
   ...
   Regards
   Howard L'

VolumeCalculator V 2-1 Tests.zip