Hello All:

Is there a way to create scenes/animation whereby the relationship of the various components (positions, angles, variations) can be altered in each progressive 'scene' or INSTANCE, without that affecting or changing the previous scenes? In a graphics program one would use 'layers' to achieve this. However, layers in SU is an entirely different animal.

In other words, I have a constellation of object groupings/components. I need to add, subtract, change angles, scale, or reposition SOME of the components in some scenes, but not others. The camera position must remain exactly the same in each instance. The goal is to export a 2D graphic of each scene to create an animation/slideshow using film editing software.

The problem I'm having is that when I copy/paste/duplicate a particular grouping or component, that change takes effect in the previous scenes thereby completely screwing up the sequence.

The attached pics are a simplified example of what I'm trying to achieve. I was able to change the positions of the brackets by copying and pasting them, and then 'hiding' the extra copies produced in the previous scenes. However, were I want to rotate one of the brackets in scene 6 for example, the rotation happens globally, and there's no way to hide that.

@brookefox said:

@unknownuser said:

now where WAS I?

You were going to show us approximately what kind of thingy you were looking to model.

Well, actually -- it's a bungie cord net, about a foot square -- for strapping down cargo on, say, the back of a motorcycle seat. So there's quite a bit of deformity on the original form involved: bulge and elasticity. Challenging to draw with any degree of realism, however, that's not my purpose at this juncture. The net is a subordinate feature on a much more elaborate model. The techniques discussed here are enough for me to "fake" it for the interim. The model's over-all purpose is to show functionality of its various components, and how they relate to each other; it's not to win an illustration prize.

Many thanks!

@pbacot said:

Well yes.
Brookefox's original recommendation should get you there.

The selection using wireframe is a nice gimmick. But just using Didier's excellent "line to tube" ruby, you don't have to do that. You do have to unsoften the lines within the hemisphere. The ruby helpfully groups the result separate from the lines.
The issue is determining what sort of sphere framework you are looking for. You could also use a geodesic dome. But here is a result with my frame using the "line to tube" ruby. Much better than "manually" constructing it.

What did you come up with PetroPix?

Okay you two love birds-- settle down! I can't wait for when I ask, 'How to Make a Nest?'

Anyway, I'm working on it, working, working-- and I suppose I'm now on the hook for posting a tutorial here. Fair enough, I love this forum-- now where WAS I?

@pbacot said:

You have to decide what sort of framework you want and what is mean by equally spaced. Is something like this what you want in terms of lines? (given you can produce the tubes as you said, I haven't bothered). this is derived from a follow-me lathed dome. Copy and paste the lines under the wireframe setting.

Many thanks! Yes, this is getting closer. Copy and paste the lines from wireframe view. Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that?

@brookefox said:

1. one of the sphere or other similar draw shape plugins
2. distort it to your liking; subtract the bottom half perhaps.
3. as the maestro says, use line to tube to make the structure 3d or maybe pipe along path or maybe some other.

It is required that you post your results here. (See clause 4995.b.645.jd, subsection 2 of your user agreement.)

My apologies. Extruding lines to tube or pipe is not the difficulty. Nor is creating a curved or spherical shape. Draping, or otherwise bending a symmetrical grid pattern onto a curved surface is the devil here. To draw each line individually and space it equally is what I find daunting, and I was just wondering if anyone knew of a more expedient way.

Thanks.

Hello All:

I'm trying to make a net or otherwise dome-like tubular structure. Any way to drape a grid of lines on a curved surface and then convert the lines to tubes? (the easy way Here's a half-hearted attempt.

Thanks.

@unknownuser said:

Try this http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=23616
and for making a curve with equal segments use this http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=13563 (polyline divider for Animation - and set max and min length of segments at same value)

Many thanks! I'm in awe..

I'm building a zipper (chain etc) and need to replicate each cog at precise, equal distances along a curved line. I'm attaching a jpeg of what I've achieved sofar. The curved section in this example I did manually-- not precise and pure hell to do. Unfortunately, Fredo's radial bend nor Fulmer's Shape Bender, both excellent plug-ins, will not bend the grouping of cogs as shown.

Ideas anyone?

-t.

Kudos to Jeff! This will work on Mac skp 8! I was trying in v.7. No need for complicated alpha exports, not to mention my elaborate and, in retrospect, quaint workaround.. heh, heh.

Many thanks!

Jeff, how did you DO that? Doesn't work on my mac. Btw, after 25 years of mac slavery I proudly proclaim I've broken the chains. But as a fellow mac aficionado says, it's not polite to discuss operating systems and money in distinguished company.

Gaieus: thanks for the bounding box tip-that's brilliant!

Hello Mr. thomthom. tomtom here..

t.t.

Nope, I tried that ages ago.. doesn't work as a 2-D export (but I'll try it on the mac). Sorry Jeff, you lose out on the big bucks! I suppose a work-around would be to to export as alpha layers to Photoshop and go at it with filters--- but hey, I got a life..

Ruby anyone??

One SketchUp feature I absolutely adore is how a model toggles to a soft, greenish fog when editing a component or group. For me this has compelling illustration potential. One highlights a particular feature (really pops) while maintaining the model's depth, context and complexity that's very easy on the eyes.

To achieve this effect for export you take a screen shot and subsequently retouch/erase the component's bounding guidelines in Photoshop. Not a pleasant task, and of course you're confined to a mere 72 dpi resolution. Ideally, it would be great if one could fully render the featured component, while leaving the rest of the model in that soft, dreamy fog.

Anyone interested in pursuing this? How complicated to write a ruby script? I would pledge copious amounts of good will, and maybe even a few bucks..

Beginners tip? Use a programable multi-button mouse. I recommend Logitech Revolution VX, smallish and elegant (unfortunately discontinued). You can assign 10 functions and now you're a speed demon in SketchUp. There aren't that many makes out there which is frustrating because I've worn out four of these Logitech mice and the new Logitech iterations are cheaply made with fewer functions, although there's the option of going to a full-blown gamer's mouse.

Many thanks! Wished I'd joined this forum sooner..

Hello:

I'm building a front bicycle fork. Need to extrude an oval face along a curved path, but one end must be tapered. I've search high and low for such a plug-in/tool. In some 3-D programs this can be done with 'lofting or skin tool.'

Help anyone?

-T.