I haven't gotten around to any serious use of LO and have seen to many issues with the conversion so I have little interest and too much apprehension. I will stick around in the V8 playground for a while longer.

I found this "structural analysis" from a post last year by target 2427. He was planning to update it , hasn't yet but it seems to have some basic functions you might find useful

http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=48390#p445903

Update on using the Surface.

Still hate their stupid commercials -among those that spoil what little TV I watch.

Works great with the HDMI connection on large screen TV and monitor. Excellent companion to a small Epson projector I recently bought. All wireless operation makes it easy. Mouse works with the surface for good navigation. We have used the combination for several small Powerpoint presentations. Tomorrow will give it the first big test to promote a project at a Economic Development Board in nearby town. Will be projecting still renderings and animation. Hope it impresses the board.

@kaas said:

@unknownuser said:

..... I get a jpeg in a short time, just forever on the DWG

Just an idea but have you tried exporting the 2d elevation in Layout instead of Sketchup?

have not tried but will give it a shot---thanks

@krisidious said:

Something tiny has tons of detail... I suggest using Goldilocks 2.0 to find the heavy parts of the model.

Didn't think about Goldilocks, but will give it try.

This is a :pro bono" project and I work on it in spurts in between the other jobs, so as soon as I can get back to it I will post results.

Thanks for the advice.

The model size is deceptive, checks in at 31 MB with 2.2M edges. The computer is fairly powerful - ASUS laptop with core i7, 8 GB ram, nvida gtx 560m 2GB. I get a jpeg in a short time, just forever on the DWG

Thanks TIG.

I missed seeing the "edit text" line down on the bottom of my long list of context selection items.

I have the same problem with a small church community center (designed for the island of Roatan Honduras, see attached scene with model info) I was using the model to generate DWG elevation files and it just would not work. left it overnight and still no notice of completion. Just too many edges and faces!!

The killer I think is the french door/shutter component. It was just what I needed for this Caribbean chapel, but really bloated the model. If I take the shutters out it exports quickly. I stripped the model of all people, interior elements that don't show, backdrops etc. and left the shutters (which I probably could have drawn in autocad more quickly). The export time "reduced" to 2/3 hours .per elevation It is easy to get carried away with such detail. My work around was to just set it to export and go have dinner or work on something else while the elevations crank out.

If nothing else, it was a good learning experience.

Thom,

thanks for this plug in.

I like the way I can change text styles, and sizes. However, once I hit close, if I want to edit further, I can't...... Am I missing something?

Got a surface pro (128 GB) a few weeks ago and have sketchup running just fine. I am still experimenting and trying to adapt to windows 8.
Small screen but sharp and gets the point across. great for less formal meetings to show progress, not meant to be a graphics whiz. You can connect to another monitor. VGA resolution not so good however. I haven't experimented with the HDR connection yet.

Rich, Got the files by way of the link you sent. Nothing in my spam folder and not in the inbox. I have added you to the white list.

Oli - opened the trees and they are very slick. Will work well for a project I am wrapping up.

Thanks again guys.

Thanks. Got a model to put them in today!

Oli,the trees look great so I purchased last night but have not received a download link. Could you check if there is a tech problem?

Congratulations Chris

Good to know we have an "inside man" in the organization.

thank you for sharing slave.

@desertraven said:

Maybe those authors of the models in question want to be asked?

I also wondered why some models were shown but not downloadable and then saw a note on some of the models from "Cordelle" that they were locked because someone stole them and re-posted as their own. Maybe as DesertRaven suggests, Cordell might release them to you if asked. The toilet was Cordelle's, the next model in line was a urinal by Cordell that was not locked

Really nice and complete detailing. I noticed that all of the cabinet doors are grouped and open, writing top rotates and supports slide into their slots, all drawers are complete and open, but was dissapointed that they were empty! Need to put an easter egg in one of them (unless I missed it

There is a plugin from Smustard that gives a pallet of 8 broken line styles. It costs $20, but well worth it if you use dashed/dotted lines a lot. Pays for itself quickly in my opinion. Here is a link to the plugin.

(www.smustard.com)

(sorry - just noticed Dave's post - same info, but I second the motion!)

TIG
thanks for the update!

TIg,

just wanted to thank you for the work plane plugin. I missed seeing it in 2010 and ran across it accidently while viewing a you tube tutorial.. Very very usefull timesaver.

We just returned this weekend from a two state AIA convention (Indiana and Kentucky) held in Lexington KY. I had never been there before - very interesting blending of historic and new buildings and industries. The city is known for horses - Queen Elisabeth being the most prominent property owner and horse buyer.

Along with the usual continuing education stuff were tours and parties. Next to horses, KY is well known for tobacco and booze. Our first evening entertainment included a tour of the Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co., started 30 years ago by a gentleman from Ireland, Dr. T. Pearse Lyons an interesting guy with several great products we all had the opportunity to taste. Kentucy Ale and Burbon Barrel Ale - quite excellent brew. Toured the distillery to watch burbon and whiskey being created, with sampling of all of course.

Later in the evening was a design charette sponsored by Hayworth Inc. Five teams made up of professionals and students from Ball State (Indiana) and University of Kentucky archtectural schools. The cool thing I had to share with the SU forum is that the teams all used SKETCHUP (except for one team member with Rhino and another old timer professor from Ball State that sketched his solution - lovely sketches btw). They had an hour to design a bachelor pad on a sloped site on a river bank for a wealthy 30 year old with a 40' boat and a lot of friends. Considering the amount of Kentucky Ale that was flowing, they did pretty well. I had planned to be on a team, but was not sure that I could get away for the convention. As all Chicago Cub fans say - wait until next year.