Instead of always digging into the styles dialog, activate the "Warn of style changes when adding (updating) scenes" option under Preferences > General. It will then pop a small dialog up asking if you want to update your style or save it as a new one (or do nothing). It can be a (little) annoying but when toggling section planes on/off and updating your scene for instance, it can be very useful, too. Always use fully updated scenes and styles in SU when you want to work with the file in LO. As it still seems to cause much confusion, maybe some better style control of the inserted SU file in LO would be good...

After changing the active Section Cut you must also update the scene.

@unknownuser said: . in this case, i didn't scale up.. wondering if jim did anything else to the skp prior to outer shell? I don't remember, but it's possible. However, I just tried it again, this time scalingup 10x and Outershell cleared the inner geometry again. And you are correct, the final piece is not a Solid when using this method for reasons Jeff has indicated.

@jim said: Hi Aqualung - is that your plugin? How about a tutorial? Hi Jim - Yes, it's mine - The only tricky thing to using it is getting the entities in the right order - The plugin uses any un-grouped geometry as input - Additionally, any subsequent operation on the geometry (such as moving, scaling, etc.) potentially alters the order it is returned in a list - My workaround for this is to first create the reference geometry I need, put it in a group, and then trace any new geometry to be used as input. To reproduce the spiral in question, create a circle (I used 12" for the diameter), position it where desired, and then put it into a group: [image: d33G_sp01.JPG] Next, create a semi-circle using the three-point circle tool: [image: lp4j_sp02.JPG] For five turns of 48 segments each, 240 segments total are needed - In order to spread out the turns, a height of 120" was used along with a scaling factor of 2.0: [image: oX49_sp03.JPG] The result should be as shown below: [image: DezL_sp04.JPG] If you try to edit the original circle into a semi-circle and subsequently use it as input, you will prpbably end up with something like: [image: piei_sp05.JPG] This is a result of modifying the geometry after it's created. Aqualung

Here's a picture of my first attempt. I'm referring to the carved worm between the top and bottom turnings. The extra lines above and below them I left in for editing purposes. Thanks in advance, Jim [image: L07U_Knop.jpg]

Open the group for editing first. Remember, you can put mustard on the sandwich until you open the wrapper.

Dave, Thanks so much for your clarifications and your PM explaining things. You answered a number of questions about process and workflow. Putting all the geometry on the default layer (thank you TIG) solved my immediate problem. I'll work on the other issues in the next model. Best, Jim

Dave R— Thanks for the tip, I have not tried Shape Bender. I'll look it up. The arches are elliptical and the carving, on all the small edges, is a series of incised diamonds leaving raised squares. This is the Deacon's chair for a church I'm designing. I hope to have it built within the year. Best, JIm

I'm starting to use a tablet and the right-click context menu having the basic functions would be terrific. functions like Move, Push/pull, Rectangle, circle, etc.

Thanks, Jeff, this looks like just the ticket. However, I can't help wondering why a tool that's smart enough to know that my group is not a solid can't highlight the reason why and offer the option to fix it. Once again, a plugin patches the program. Somewhat disillusioned, Jim

I'm sorry, Jim57, I was being a little facetious, but trying to get at your issue. I failed to notice you are using a Mac, and assumed this was a MSWindows problem. I am glad that Jeff and HDT were able to help. Best Wishes, mitcorb

They are concentric. They were grouped, which must have been why they didn't snap. Thanks for the workarounds. Jim

I was looking for the left shape, Fredo. I just got it with Extrude Edges by Faces. What tool did you use? Jim

Sir? You make me feel like a real old guy, Jerry. Take a look at this. Clearly it isn't the only way but it works for me. Pardon me. It's time for me to take my Geritol.

Jim unless I have the wrong spot my suggestion is: turn hidden geo on; Use line tool and green inference to extend lines from bottom circle edges to the top face, use green inference; Connect the top edges and your faces will form. They did for me Attachment removed by mac1 9-2-01

I have found that the white squares occur sometimes after I have used the function keys to minimize, expose, etc. Without fail, a restart of Sketchup fixes this weirdness. I have found that inferences are less effective in SU7; sometimes it won't pick up intersecting points and sometimes it tries to pick up something behind the desired point. Definitely different than ver6, IMO.

Thomthom's Vertex tools will do it for you too. http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=29636

See here for how to model a twisted strip - a column is very similar... http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=58876#p58876 This tutorial is even better... http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=224746#p224746

@jim57 said: Love the Forum, it helps me think clearer.