Sonder, no layers other than base so no layers to assign anything to.

The latest model was an i-pod docking station, a simple thing with little in the way of complexity.

Thanks for the reply, I do tend to enlarge anything before I make or adjust fiddly aspects of a model to save time really, a little bit of affirmative action does help, thing is it happens at times 100 of model size and nothing in a model that large is going to be small exactly. I think I am just getting a bit jaded with the whole sketchup falling over thing, OK the first hundred times but after that a bit more than should be the case.

I have been told that the biggest issue with sketchup is not the program itself but the interaction with rubies/plugins. If this is the case, the time for all plugins etc to be made in house is here. Either that or bring in a method of stress testing EVERY plugin for suitability BEFORE it is released.

For some time now I have had weird results from saving files, really not something I can put my finger on but something that is a pain. Along the lines of intersecting geometry and finding that sketchup has added a step by smoothing (NOT) the geometry and forcing an undo, if I spot it.

A new item has cropped up where I save the file and geometry is deleted. Not something that can be undone either.

Do we just carry on in the face of random behaviour or go elsewhere? I know, nothing is perfect and he or she who dares blaspheme at the high alter of sketchup should be stoned or flamed, yes that is how such protests are greeted so why should this be any different? I am definitely NOT of the opinion that all problems can be layed at the door of the sketchup team but this is not changing quickly enough imo.

Redo from start MIGHT make things better for a while but will not be a permanant fix so does anyone have a suggestion, apart from blender or 3ds max?

Thanks for the replies guys, Chris, thanks and much appreciated.

I basically scaled the elements by half of the arc and then quartered it. Essentially I squared it off, well almost-ish, a bit..........

I thought the measurements were a bit off, more than a bit to be honest. Best I came up with was this segment.

Arc Roof Segment 2.skp

My issue is, when I have the latest version of sketchup, why does the crash report suggest the problem has been fixed, go get the latest version, this cannot be down to the render program.

Render program is renditioner V3

No consistency in model size, it can happen if I render a single lamp/light (simple).

Happens frequently when rendering.

Quite frequently when skethcup falls over, I get the report that the problem has been fixed in the latest version etc, when I have the latest version...

So impressed with this one.

Have you tried closing the dialogue boxes in turn until you find the one you want?

Yes I noticed the light burning out, I am playing with different background and artificial lighting settings. This is better.

A few simple lights on the ceiling and two floor lamps with uplighters and a spotlight each. Not a sosphisticated render, just a preview and it only took a few minutes to render.

Really fantastic result. Cool.

Enterprise for me, firefly as a second choice.

If you use larger or more sophisticated models you will need 64 bit support and it will not go away because some folk get personal when others mention it. If you want 32 bit fine, I happen to want 64 bit support. Now if you want to go and stand in the corner it is your prerogative. Personally I go for the right to chose. Clear enough kiddies?

I see no conflict with Trimble writing plugins. If you take the basic ui as a start and then add 'packs' of plugins that would tailor the program to different uses (architecture for example), there could be a defferent sketchup for users in different professions. Always acknowledging that there will be writiers of scripts from within the user community. It might even be a method of increasing the sales of pro and be something that could (note use of the word COULD) be used to keep the cost of pro down, another method of increasing sales.

I would be a fan of this type of system as long as the age old issues of the core could be addressed. A more stable sketchup with hopefully 64 bit support and more control of the standard of plugins would be very welcome so perhaps a more stable system plus support for independent script writers would be a decent balance.

I agree that a ui full of wasteful icons would be a detrimental step so possibly this idea would make others happy too?

@dave r said:

Mike, you might also find it interesting to know there's a different "Zoom Extents" in the context menu. If you right click on a selection and choose Zoom Extents, the view zooms to show that selection instead of the whole model.

Thanks Dave, I really meant for those situations where the model is gone from view and all sketchup does is go into 'save' or 'busy' mode. Situations where tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth occur too frequently for good health. Used the now 'found' zoom to extents and am able to find my way without satnav, two packs of hunting hounds and a weeks rations.

Thanks for all the replies guys, I have at least leaned something new for the week so all it well for now...........

I reckon the recoil on that would be about 20' backwards for the firer and blown eardrums for the guy in front.

By the way, I am not a gun enthusiast, I just happened to spend a lot of time with them while in the army. There are advertisements for various 'fly on the wall' shows about guns, mostly based in the USA with some crazy people/weapons. I still cannot see what the appeal is, they are a tool for SOME professions.