I've been a ruby convert since I took the "advanced" sketchup class many years ago...

But it wasn't until I really started cruising this forum that the mind boggling power of su+plugins became apparent.

I think though, there are people out there who work just fine without them. More power to them! But I love new add ons for my favorite software!

I liked the bike. For me those little "lived in" details bring a render to life. Sort of the whole entourage idea. If you were making this for a client with kids, they would probably dig it, I know I would... damn yard apes leave their bikes all over the front lawn.

It just has to be required that you crazy render people tell us non-render people what you are using to render!! Of course some other vitals would be nice too: render time, biased/unbiased (when it's an option), textured in renderer or in sketchup, etc.

I desperately want to make the plunge, but with so many options, a thread like this gives a good comparison.

Okay, let's see if this makes sense: You need to set up a custom page size first.

1. Go File/Page Setup/Paper Size/ Manage Custom Sizes:

Set up all the other things here too, like page orientation (critical!).

2. Once that dialog comes up, fill it out with your sheet size:

Make sure to give your sheet a logical name (Big Ol' Sheet is probably not a good one... )

3. Then you'll need to double check that the right sheet size is selected in the Page Setup window, if it is click OK. If not, select it from the pull down list. If it's not on the pulldown list repeat the above step making sure you save it with the right name and all that jazz.

4. Go to File/ Document Setup. Make sure all these settings are correct now that the page size is right.

5. Go File/Print (instead of Exporting, printing to pdf will work better for keeping scales and stuff accurate). The printer selected doesn't matter. Instead, use the PDF button on the bottom left, select Safe as PDF.

The downside here, as far as I know, is that it uses default settings to make the pdf. Which, in this case made an almost 300mb file! But it was the 36 x 96 inches so...

6. With your PDF now saved, you can do whatever you need with it!

I hope that helps! If I'm wrong... well, it worked for me!

Okay! It works from right-clicking too, thanks!! The clicking-unclicking-clicking again was the key!

I've been trying the twist and free bend tools from this plugin, but they don't seem to be working quite right. In this example from the visual index, it shows the tools subdividing the geometry as needed for a smooth bend or twist.

But when I try it, I get no subdividing! What am I doing wrong? What are the correct settings to make this work? I've tried reading the documentation, but I haven't found an answer.

Thanks! Awesome plugin by the way -- the scale and taper tools are super duper useful!!

Well Dang! I guess I really need to learn how to use FredoScale. Thanks!

Did you subdivide that rectangular box before doing the fredo-scale operations?

Where is this woodworkers group?
I just made a bunch of shelves for my kids preschool, all modeled in sketchup, with a hand-built materials list.

Tool bars are different on the Mac. You can't stretch them at all. Basically, you can dock one or leave it floating. But that's about all you can do!

You CAN customize the menu bar up along the top of the window (View/Customize Toolbar).

Of course, I hope I'm wrong!

I discovered something and I am also having some problems...

First, here's a screenshot of my experiment file, I was looking at how the different orientation of the faces affected the outcome of the process. Interesting!

Now, I'm having some problems.

When I try to use the 2 Faces + Path plugin, it gives me an error: It is necessary to select two faces and one path curve.

As far as I can tell, I have (1) one curve and (2) two faces selected. The curve is made with two arcs, welded together with the weld.rb.

I've also attached the skp for this file. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

I forgot to add, it worked yesterday. Then today it stopped. I've reloaded the rb, but no luck. Here's a shot of it working yesterday...

Goes with first Screen Shot

The file that won't work!

I think all you have to do is register and login to the forum... Since you've done that try downloading again!

Freehand tool + wacom tablet = win!
That's the best way I've found to trace things. Obviously, hard edged shapes are easier with the line and rectangle tools, but for curvy wonky shapes, freehand tool is the best choice!

You might have to turn them on in the preferences/extensions window. Check to make sure the "Sandbox Tools" have a tick mark.

Those tools should show up under draw/sandbox/ From Scratch & From Contours.

Also, you can activate the Sandbox Toolbar from view/tool palettes/ Sandbox.

Hope that helps!

ZOMG. WOW. ZOMG.

Amazing. I can't keep up! But I will, because this is probably the best plugin ever. I've been searching for these functionalities in SU since day one. Which was Sketchup 2, I think.

Wonderful work TIG. Thank you!

ZOMG
This is fantastic!!
TIG, your plugins are amazing.

Added to my work flow and saved so much time!

My new favorite! Very nice!!! And thanks for the how-to.

Everyone here is so cool...

Even though I have a pro license... I downloaded these just in case!!!

But otherwise, seems like a wonderful improvement.

Can you upload a screen capture of the problem?

It might be the shadow settings of the drawing, or possibly something with your video card... but that last one I don't really have a clue how to solve!

Are the files locked somehow?
Do you have full access to them as a user?
What is the error message when you try to delete them? Or do they just magically re-appear after you delete them?
Have you emptied the trash?

I guess more information would be helpful to troubleshoot this problem.