I've just reinstalled Windows XP Home and all the software after a virus attack. Is there any way of restoring the SketchUp 8 toolbar settings, installed plugins etc. from an existing Backup or configuration file? I've looked in my Backup's User/Application Settings/Google Sketchup 8 and in Program Files/Google Sketchup 8 but don't seem to find anything.

Many thanks.

I'm able to select the base 'ring' and move it up 4", however, placing the glass panel on the imaginery line at the centre of the ring at 4" above the base seems to be a problem. Guys, bear with me, I've been using Sketchup for no more than three months and am quite chuffed with what I can already achieve - it's amazing being able to walk around my dream house, simulate if I will be able to enjoy the sun on the sofa on a cool July afternoon etc. - but I'm the first to admit I still have a lot to learn. I've downloaded many tutorials, bought several SketchUp books and spent many hours rendering with different settings. I'm keen, willing to learn and open to constructive criticism.

I'm not having any success with the placement of marker lines. If I choose the center point of the pin at the bottom with the pencil tool, click, tap the up/down arrow to lock the blue axis and then move up to set a marker line, the pencil/blue line moves down instead.

Hi Dave, I've attached an image of the stairs. There doesn't seem to be a central reference point within the pins and posts form where one can draw the glass panel at the correct height.

For the past two hours I've been battling to add a stair balustrade to a simple 'floating' wooden stair layout outside my house model. I'm using the Dynamic post, pins and glass balustrade in the 3D warehouse by Paul Wacko Jacko. However, for the stairs I've exploded the balustrade and am only using the pin and post. Converting these into components and then copying them up the stairs and along the landing isn't the problem, the following are:

1. Creating a handrail which follows the line all the way up the stairs around the corner to the wall. Follow Me works fine, but only for the first section of the handrail. I then have to perform a Follow Me on each section and try to patch the corners where they meet.
2. Placing the glass panels exactly in the middle of the pins, this seems impossible.

Also, how to I create the stringer that actually carries the stair treads? Would I use Intersect With Model and Follow Me?

Many thanks.

When exporting from SketchUp to Kerkythea, should one activate Shadows BEFORE exporting or will Kerkythea create its own shadows based on the Time settings one chooses in Kerkythea? Some of my renderings have no shadows, even though the window is facing East at 09h00.

If I move all the geometry above the ground plane will that not affect the current position of the building in relation to the slope (Google Earth Terrain)? Unticking 'Shadows on Ground' seemed to do the trick. Many thanks.

I'm sitting with a strange problem which I've tried solving with 'Move Axis', without success: I've modeled a building on a slope with some of the building below the ground and below the red/green and blue origin. When I turn Show/Hide Shadows on the shadow is cast on the same plane as the Google Earth Snapshot, even if this layer is off. When I turn on the Google Earth Terrain layer some of the shadow is cast on the sloping terrain while the other band of shadow remains on the same plane as the red/green axis. Moving this axis down to the base of the building has no effect on the shadow.

Could one of the experts possibly assist? Many thanks.

Thanks guys, works like a charm!

I know the Shift key allows one to lock onto a specific axis once one starts moving a model, however, is it possible to lock the axis BEFORE one starts moving? I'm currently moving a house model up along the blue axis to reduce the amount of excavation on a slope. After selecting the entire model I lock on with the Move tool and then start moving up. Before it finally moves on the blue axis it tries to move along the red and green axis. Is this normal? Once it locks on the blue axis does it disregard the previous movement in the red and green direction?

Now, when I do a 'Zoom Extents' only the current model fills the window. Not sure what caused the problem but at least it's solved. Thanks for all the prompt help.

I seem to have solved the problem by selecting 'Explode' (again) and then regrouping everything into a new group. Now, for some strange reason, when selecting all the blue line does not disappear in the distance.

No, nothing imported from a CAD drawing, although I did import some SketchUp models from the 3D Warehouse.

If I select individual Sub-Groups within the main Basement group the blue selection shrinks to the current model size, only when I select the top level does the blue selection disappear into the distance. If I 'Explode' the upper-most level the blue selection shrinks, if I then select what needs to be in that Group and create a new main Group the selection once again disappears into the distance.

I've tried following your instructions as best possible but without success. I do seem to have several small red/green/blue axis in my model at different places, red/green and blue all face in their respective directions.

I'm currently working on a house model with a width of 28m and a length of 31m. The basement and its walls, contents etc. have been placed in a group and sub-group called 'Basement'. For some reason, when I select Basement in the Outliner a blue block surrounds the model. This is normal, however my blue block is 31m wide and disappears into the distance for 1,700m!? This makes editing the model very cumbersome as it seems to be including something I can't see. I've activated Hidden Geometry but am still not able to see anything what may be causing this.

I would be grateful for any help on this issue.

Many thanks.