Check the settings in AutoCAD; perhaps you're working with a custom UCS? Export to an older format DWG (r14?) after exploding any dynamic blocks - SKUP doesn't like them.
ACAD curves do become faceted in SKUP. You can't apply any import settings to control this, & adjoining curves can be mismatched after importing
There is a FACETCURVE addition for AutoCAD which will segment the curves before export - but it isn't fool proof either. You'll just need to keep to square designs

You seem to have a good basis with Podium & Vue. Perhaps you need to upgrade your PC?
If you have a 64 OS, it may be an idea to have a renderer separate from SKUP, as it remains a 32 bit application - which also limits the built in renderer package.

If it is an autocad solid, I think you need to turn it into a surface before saving as an older version of DWG (r14 ?), then try to import it into SKUP. Make sure the various parts are blocks - they are imported as components into ACAD.

There are so many good rendering engines available for SKUP, but iin the end it's down to the user. Kerkythea is a good starting point being free with a good.forum support. Twilight builds on this, then you can migrate to Thea if you want to develop further. It's also compatible with other.modelling packages.

I have to admit agreeing with Gerald, the clipping has been a "feature" with SKUP for as long as I can remember. While there are workarounds (the explode & regroup imported items is a new one for me), it's still a nuisance while modelling.
Anyway, I've yet to install 2014, so I'm hoping for the best with it in other ways, as 2013 turned out to feel more responsive than v8.

I think this it far beyond the scope of SketchUP. I think this would be an advanced project for even the likes of 3D MAX.
Good luck!

Fantastic image.
Care to share your FotoSketcher settings to produce that effect?
Also liked the mottled grass look, very natural.

TIG,

@unknownuser said:

I typed all of those one-liners from memory, without any testing

That's just showing off now...
Just tested - works perfectly, thanks again.

TIG,
Thanks very much.
I've just tested them & all but one work perfectly. The "ALL sloping [up] faces in selection" doesn't pick up a slope in the selection, but the "ALL sloping [up] faces in active_entities" does.
Thanks again.

I have created a basic 3D model of an area, to show a new housing development in context.
I would like a way to quickly select all vertical faces, so I can paint on a colour for walls, then pick all sloping faces to apply a roof material.
I can't figure out a way to do tis with the default SKUP tools - is there a plugin available that can do the trick?
I've tried ThomThoms Selection Tools (v.2.2), it can select almost everything but what I'm looking for!

You do have the full version with CAD export, or SKUP v7 with the DWG export add on? From their you can export an ISO top or side view in 2d DWG format for importing as a block into your CAD package.

Not tried the new version, but perhaps you want to try the updated version of LibFredo. Best of luck.

Fredo,
Thanks for sharing & providing the excellent documentation to go with it.

@valerostudio said:

Get yourself Mystic Thumbs.http://mysticcoder.net/mysticthumbs.html

Thanks for the suggestion. I looked at the forums regarding Thumbs, but was concerned over reports it can hang the PC when looking at network folders, where we keep all our data.
My concern is that we have to buy an extra bit of software to access something that was already built into SKUP.

I've just loaded SKUP 2013 to a Win7 64 bit PC & still can't get the file image previews to work in Windows Explorer - can anyone else get theirs to view the files?
Bring back WinXP & SKUP 7.1!

Thanks for the tip, I've had the same problem.

We use Twilight Render on its own or with Kerkythea. It isn't the quickest on our work PC's, but is reliable & gives.results that impresses the clients.

Sorry, can't help with that issue, but try on the KT forum.

I can also vouch for Kerkythea, it's a great free package with plenty of articles on its forum to get you started.

OK thanks