Thank you jgb. I understand. This is extremely helpful for this an future projects and very much appreciated.

Sorry about that. Here it is in v8.

SU v8 format

Ok, lets see how I did in the attachment. Please see attached and let me know if I am close on the C of B and C of G. If so, then I've got it. I am pretty sure I am grasping the concepts here. If I made a mistake, I suspect its got something to do with either including or not including the volume of the ballast section. I appreciate the help very much.

Work in progress - practice determining center of buoyancy with sketchup

I was using an existing larger concept model I found online and drawing a similar version in SU. Then scaling it down to a smaller size as a start, with the thought that the weighted portions, waterline, and buoyancy would scale down proportionately. I guess its pretty clear by now I am no naval architect. So any input or advice is well received. I was hoping I could determine the waterline as shown in the video clip mentioned above. I'll checking out DelftShip and Free!Ship now. Hopefully they let me make such a simple shape. If they calculate everything that would be great.

One more thing....I am trying to work of the C of B of a simple spar buoy cylindrical in shape.

Thanks jgb, much appreciated. C of G being the same as C of B makes sense to me. Question: how would you go about using SU to determine underwater portion? Would you do the same thing in the video or would it be everything below the C of G? I appreciate the advice very much.

Thanks Tig! I end up doing some maritime related work at times with SU and C of G is excellently helpful. Just an idea... and I have no idea if it is its feasible, but a Center of Buoyancy plugin would be awesome too. I am trying to use the process shown at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRJY-0Ryw6I for some buoys I am designing but in Sketchup Pro...and I think its working....not sure. I bet other SU maritime folks would love it too. Just a thought in case someone out there get interested.

@tig said:

I Xray mode you can see the inside and outside of a solid object's "shell".
You can then pick points with the TapeMeasure tool and get the distance == thickness...
Also cutting sections lets you see inside objects and do similar measuring...

Thanks TIG. Much appreciated.

Anyone know of a plugin that highlights a preset minimum wall thickness for 3d printing?

For example if i set a minimum wall thickness to 3mm it would check the model and point out anything less than the minimum?

I am getting pretty good at Sketchup and have downloaded many plugins already. But maybe Sketchup do it already and I am just not seeing it?