If you are coming to SU from Wings3D then you're going to be used to subdivision modelling. While SU will do the things you ask, right out of the box (you can also type in the required number of line segments BTW, in addition to doing it visually) you can greatly extend its capabilities by choosing from a huge number of plugins/extensions. Most of them are free (and available here). Others are commercial but usually fairly low-cost...like Artisan.

The 3ds file is faulty. It doesn't open in anything at all. All I get are reports of reading errors.

Do you know there's absolutely nothing wrong with the file? Can you split out a chunk of it and import that?

http://www.maxwellrender.com/index.php/gallery/videos/1/1/ http://www.maxwellrender.com/index.php/gallery/videos/1/1/33

You may want to see the video I prepared for a different thread in this form. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74ji-NXsdDI I think you need to make your blocks into groups in order to make them interact with physics. Also, there is a lower limit to the size of an object that will work with physics. Once you have separately grouped each of your blocks, they should fall under gravity when you start the simulation.

@neostyles said: Something that divides an edge into a given number of equidistant points.. SketchUp does this already - right-clic any line or line segment and select "divide"

@neostyles said: It's a little hard to get sketchup to make the other circle standing up. What Gai shows works but I don't even do that. I just orbited the camera to a low viewpoint and, in the example, looking mostly down the green axis. Then SketchUp is happy to draw the circle standing up.

@gaieus said: %(#0000FF)[.....When you are proficient enough (but only then ), look at the FredoScale plugin, too. ]As for dividing edges; this method does not only work on straight lined but also on curves (circles, polygons, arcs...) as long as SU recognises them as such ........ +1. Learn how to use the basic SU tools before using plugins. Except for some, like 'Weld'. Most of the plugins are great (time savers / worth a million) but you better just learn SU first. Be aware that (through context menu) SU divides arcs, polygons and circles as expected, however.... the result can easily cause a bug splat. SU has a bug here for sure. Divide and next try to alter the number of segments of one selected part in 'Entity Info'. The segment field is open (white) for changes but will definitly cause SU to come to an end. Dividing edges is okay.