Aside from the advantages of component editing (i.e. changing one changes all), the use of components will reduce file size on disk (smaller saved files) but it will NOT reduce the burden on you computer when the file is open in SU, as all component instances are in memory. Most of my models are a combination of groups and components as appropriate to the task.

The global warming debate seems hopelessly tangled in politics and ideology (as opposed to science). Still the best article I know to get you thinking:

http://www.crichton-official.com/speech-alienscauseglobalwarming.html

and these are pretty good too.

http://www.crichton-official.com/speech-environmentalismaseligion.html
http://www.crichton-official.com/speech-ourenvironmentalfuture.html

Natural foods....

Every day millions of children are exposed to a substance containing these chemicals...

carotene
anthocyanin
tangeretin
polygalacturonic acid
sucrose
fructose
arginine
choline
asparagine
octyl alcohol
amy alcohol
hesperidin
2-hydroxypropane
tri-carboxylic acid
oxalic acid
methanol
formaldehyde
tyramine
synephrine
dihydrogen monoxide
3-keto-1-gulonolactone
d-limonene
decylaldehyde

what is it?

Assuming you want to keep the section cut -- Use the Section icon "display section plane" to toggle display of the transparent plane. There is also an icon that toggles display of the section cut.

A little SU (photomatch) and a lot of Photoshop. Not at all PR, but then I much prefer NPR.

Have fun you guys. I had to give up my invite (going to SF in early May -- not up to 2 trips that close together). I suspect some major announcements from SU. Please keep us stay-at-homes informed.

@sorgesu said:

Thanks Todd.

Bruce, this is not the first thread I have seen where you have been disrespectful and then claimed offence when others react to your attitude. You can do whatever you please but in my book you are being rather pugnacious.

Cheers, Susan

Further to Dennis Fukai's response --
I have done forensic graphics since 1990 (and started using SU with Version 2) -- mostly environmental litigation (eg. The Love Canal) but some intellectual property and construction failure as well.

It is important to know that what you will be producing are "demonstratives" or visual explanations, not "facts". You need to be very careful to keep things simple and illustrative and not include any detail that may be challenged sucessfully*. A famous example I know of is using the wrong color for a vehicle in an accident reconstruction, but there are lots of examples (fortunately never happened to me).

*you don't get a second chance in the courtroom and the stakes are high.

You will need to work closely with attorneys and understand the law so your material can be admitted. You will need to keep track of all your source materials and references as well, as this can be challenged as well.

Look at the first 3 books by Edward Tufte, as Dennis suggests. All this said, it's a tricky business, but can be very exciting (especially in the courtroom) and you will learn a lot.

I don't use a Mac, but I believe that it has a setting for ppi (pixels per inch) on export; the Windows version does not. No matter, the PPI settings are completely arbitrary (they indicate the "size" of the pixel). What counts is the total number of pixels, so export your image as large as you like, then use the print preview function in Photoshop to set the size of your image on the printed page. You will see the ppi setting change dynamically as you change the size of the image on Pshop.

For all those who are unable to unzip* the file (blocked), is there any chance of a new zip file?

*despite using properties to unblock. BTY this zip file is the first I have ever encountered that will not unzip.

Modeling in SketchUp uses real world sizes, so you could never view a house, for example, on your screen at actual size (unless you have a very big screen or a very small house model). Rather, you need to utilize the print to scale option wherein you assign a scale factor (say 1/4" = 1 foot depending on the paper size your printer can use). The print preview command will show you what you will get.

Check out the help files on printing, and remember that print to scale only works with perspective turned off in one of the standard othographic view.

No need for a script -- look at your shortcuts menu under "view/rendering/edge/all the same"
and "view/rendering/edge/by axis" then set up your shortcut key.

for die-hard fans of British Modernism...

http://www.peoplewillalwaysneedplates.co.uk/products.html

Will not unzip on my computer either -- even after unchecking "unblock" in file properties and turning off anti-virus and firewall.

An older book (circa 1992) but crucial to understanding the importance of Oil in the 20th century and the future....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671799320/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Our latest cat is a Maine Coon -- not quite 2 years old, 30 pounds and still growing. He's so big that you can hear him walking. Also makes "talking sounds", a kind of chirping. Looks like a border collie, which would be our first choice, but we are getting too old for high energy dogs... like this one:

And 4.3 snapshots into SU with the sun settings as well. This, combined with 3D buildings (where available) and the date of the photo might permit you set the time and date function in SU to match shadows of created buildings with existing.

The Best Brownies Ever (no fooling)

4 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar

1-1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon table salt

8 ounces melted unsweetened butter (2 whole sticks)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square pan with non-stick aluminum foil – dull side up to make a “sling” for removing brownies when done.

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs at medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. Add both sugars. Add remaining dry ingredients, and mix to combine. Add vanilla then the melted butter (slowly) and mix until incorporated.

Pour the (very thick and sticky) batter into a lined 8-inch square pan and bake for 45 – 50 minutes. Check for doneness with the tried-and-true toothpick method: a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan should come out clean. When it's done, remove to a rack to cool. After about 5 minutes, lift the brownies out the pan by the aluminum foil sling and leave on the cooling rack. Resist the temptation to cut into it until it's mostly cool.

Yield: 16 brownies

Wouldn't it be nice if SU 7 would snapshot color terrain from GE? Plus a switch to turn on 2048 resolution for openGL rather than messing with registry?