@unknownuser said:

I agree 100% with kwistenbiebel's calls for a 3d engine that works much better with a massive polygon count. Any BIM type development is definitely going to need it!

It's always been my understanding is that SU was developed to be a simple, intuitive and quick application to create 3D models with a somewhat limited poly count. Why create a subdivided cube when a plain 6 sided cube will suffice? Quick is predicated on models that don't have a massive polygon count. So far, SU has been just that ... Take away the simple, intuitive and quick aspects and we might as well use 3DMax, Zbrush or Blender to name a few ...

So, if I were Trimble and I wanted to integrate the SU engine into "field applications" I sure wouldn't morph it into something that would handle high poly counts or an "advanced" 3D engine. There's no need. Consider this: a guy in the field is doing some geo work and needs a model of a particular building for site he's at. He's on 3G/4G for connectivity. Someone at Trimble, for instance, has already whipped up a SU low poly model of the building and made it accessible for downloading to the field. The SU object doesn't need massive polys, or UV mapping or even texture mapping. It needs to occupy a physical space on a plot in a field device. I would expect downloading a SU file under 1meg for instance, would be preferable to something larger.

Another aspect, if the SU engine is integrated into field equipment, we're possibly talking about mobile devices like glorified smartphones with limited processor or memory capacity. So again, handling a high poly count is not useful.

Speculation is so much fun. Just my spin on it ... cheers.

"Gentlemen, we now have the capability to build the Prunetron Bomb. It's doesn't actually destroy buildings or kill people, it just knocks the crap of them."

I will wait things out and I hope this transition to Trimble is positive for everyone involved. I still have SU8 and that will suffice for a long time. OTOH, I'm rounding up my Blender tutorials and learning materials, etc.

Fortune favors the prepared.

Cheers.

BTW, Trimble also acquired PeopleNET last July as well: http://www.trimble.com/news/release.aspx?id=072011a

404 - File or directory not found.

(ww2.trimble.com)

From their news release:

@unknownuser said:

"In Trimble, we found a partner that will grow SketchUp in a way that best supports the SketchUp team and our users," said Brian McClendon, Google's vice president of engineering. "While at Google, the SketchUp community grew significantly because the team put users first, and we are confident they will continue to do so at Trimble. We at Google look forward to a continued partnership with Trimble and the SketchUp team."

@unknownuser said:

Concurrently, the SketchUp engine will be integrated into Trimble's current solutions in its Engineering and Construction, Field Solutions and Mobile Solutions segments.

While this may indicate that SU could stay a free app as we know it, it makes me wonder if any of the improvements to the SU engine will find their way from Trimble's other integration projects. Normally, this sort of thing becomes proprietary and the answer is either "no" or "we'll consider it".

The other things that bother me is how this acquisition will effect content produced by independent individuals and shops, plugin designers and sites like Sketchucation. One wonders if it will raise licensing or copyright issues. Companies don't acquire assets from the goodness of their hearts, someone saw a profit in it. Companies exist to make a profit ...

Or will they do what Oracle did when they acquired Java from Sun? Keep it freely available but leave you with the feeling that there will always be a sword hanging over your head?

We'll see ...

One more thought: If Google can do this to SU and it's MILLIONS OF USERS (which are being sold to Trimble by proxy as well), then what would stop them from selling their Google Drive service, google+, the Android OS or any other "free" product or service they currently own?

The answer: nothing would.

Cheers.

Thank you Rich ...

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the tips on settings, but I use the Foxit reader, both standalone and Firefox plugin: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/Secure_PDF_Reader/ It's been my .pdf reader mainstay for a long time ...

I had an older version of Foxit installed and I thought that might be the problem. However, updating to the newest version didn't change the page viewing. I've tried using single and continuous page views, but only the very first page displays in portrait, all the others are in landscape ...

All the previous Catchup editions show as portrait, page by page.

So, um ... er ... heh ... Perhaps a page format setting that was overlooked?

Cheers.

Rich posted:
@unknownuser said:

Although there's a new alternative to Issue that is in beta that is pretty incredible. But it would mean the PDF would no longer be used. Not sure how people feel about that.

My points:

1. The .pdf is highly portable. Ie, I can easily load Catchups on my Nook Tablet and take them with me on the road. I also print them and keep them in a binder for reference at home.
2. The latest edition, #9 appears in landscape format. Please consider reformatting it back to portrait
3. Converting to a video format is really not the right native version for a resource like this, IMO.
4. You've done a remarkable job on this publication as it stands now. Adding "embedded videos" and other "techno enhancements" would only detract from it. In other words, leave well enough alone.

My (respectful) request: Please leave the Catchup in .pdf and reformat the latest issue so it can be viewed and/or printed as single page views.

Thanks for another informative issue. Cheers.

Jeff

I'm pretty burned out on the whole "undead" movie genre, vampires, zombies, walking undead, etc. What we need is some good, old fashioned, campy 50's style sci-fi like this one from May of '58:

some buttered popcorn and a Coke.

Cheers.

TIG, thanks a million for the updates! I've been using this plugin quite a bit and it's a real time saver for me ...

Cheers.

Hi Peter,
You can use this page: http://mycroft.mozdev.org/submitos.html at Mozilla. It provides a web-based form for setting up search plugin frameworks. It's mostly a "fill in the blanks" form, with the trickiest part being the search URL and suggestions URL fields. You'll need to do some experimentation with those because each site is somewhat unique in how it's searched. Be aware as well, the site you want to search may have restrictions. You'll have check it out ...

You might find this site: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Creating_OpenSearch_plugins_for_Firefox useful for understanding the plugin structure.

Once your plugin is debugged, you can add it to the Mycroft database. A good thing to do because if you decide to modify it in the future, maybe a URL changes for instance, you can reload it and just make the appropriate changes.

I'll be out for the week with no internet access, leaving this afternoon. If you run into trouble, please PM me or post here and I'll get back to you as soon as I get home.

Cheers!

@chrisjk said:

It seems to work fine - just like the SketchUcation search box in fact...

Wonderful! I was hoping to get some early feedback from a Mac user. Thanks!

Cheers.

Hmm, not seeing anything. Ok, a little troubleshooting:

After installation, this is where you will find the plugin:

If you don't see exactly that, left click on the little inverted triangle by the "U" and select "SketchUcation Forum" from the drop down menu. I tried to get a screen cap but it kept resetting the menu.

Next, you need to type your search term into the text bar:

Either click the magnifying glass to the right or hit the Enter key.

You won't see any search results in the main browser window until the plugin connects and does it's search. Pretty much like using Google, etc.

If your still having trouble, please let me know.

Cheers.

I've created a custom search plugin for the SketchUcation forum. It currently works with Firefox, Chrome and IE8 on the PC and should work in Chrome on the Mac. I can't confirm that as I don't have a Mac ...

This plugin won't mess with your current search engine preferences in your browser. It's in a smaller text bar to the right of the main URL bar and works as a "quick search" for the SU forums. I use similar plugins for other forums I frequent and I find them especially useful if I need to do a quick search and then drill down to a specific post (if it's a long thread, for instance.) It saves me from having to go to the site, klutz around trying to remember which forum section the post was in and then invoke the forum search functions.

To get it, go here: http://mycroft.mozdev.org/search-engines.html?name=forums.sketchucation.com
Under the heading: 1. Computer - software you will see SketchUcation Forum
Left click on it one time and it will ask you if you want to install the plugin. Answer yes and it will install for you.

Because you can search the SU forum without actually having to be in them, you'll need to have logged on previously. If you get a page that says that you can't use the forum search system, you need to be logged in. I usually log on and stay logged so it works.

If you decide not to use it after installing, it's simple to remove. Click on the inverted triangle next to the SU icon in the search box, select Manage Search Engines, highlight the plugin and click on the remove button. ta-da! It's gone.

I hope you find it useful and if you have any issues, comments, flames or extra cash laying around, please let me know.

Cheers.

(Just kidding about the cash ... )

Starlings75's vid reminded me of the Tucker, and while researching it, I ran across this:

The man who built in also worked with Tucker on his car. Here's a link to more information:

http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Norman_Timbs%27_Buick_Special

I was just thinking how straightforward it would be to use a Volks bus chassis with a few mods, fiberglass body some louvers in the rear deck for cooling, hmmm ...

Cheers.

Wow, very cool engine Alan. It wonderful that some of those steamer engines are still around and have been restored ...

Here's my pick for a retro camper, the Grumman 2, circa 1939 or so:

My wife and I are actually building one, but with marine plywood sides, from the plans on this site: http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear55.htm to be pulled behind our '94 Jeep Cherokee ... (It's part of my future retirement plans ... )

Cheers.

Nice find! It's interesting that research on aerodynamics from the 20's and 30's found it's way not only into aircraft design, but cars, trains and even houses.

Got me thinking about Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion creations. Amongst which was this:

The Dymaxion Car.

@unknownuser said:

For those that haven't heard of it, the Dymaxion Car was a teardrop-shaped (least air resistance), 3-wheeled, rear-wheel (single) steering, 20 foot long, Aluminum bodied auto, designed by Buckminster Fuller in 1933 to achieve maximum output and service with minimum material input. It was about 6 feet tall (kinda like a big van), seated the driver and 10 passengers, weighed around 1600 lbs., went 120 miles/hr on a 90 horsepower engine, and got as much as 30 miles to the gallon of gas.

Ugly but efficient!

I've always loved the "Age of Steam" for locomotive technology. Especially the 30's and 40's before the diesels took over the lines ...

In 1934, J1E Hudson 5344 was the world's first streamlined locomotive.

This steamer is just cool. Even as massive as it is though, the 4-8-4's were larger still.

{Perhaps an interesting study for an SU project? )

@unknownuser said:

No additional tools, No plugins (for the modeling), No imports except for some textures.

You must have the patience of Job considering all the curved surfaces! Wow ...

JMJOhio, outside of the "usual" tools that come with SU, are there any additional tools that you're using of particular note?

I think your work on this is simply amazing!

Cheers.

Thanks Jason ... I'll give Maxwell a try ...

Cheers.