@dave r said:

Csaba, that's what I was thinking but I wasn't sure that's what the OP was talking about.

Remember that in SketchUp you are working in 3D space so if you want one object; a polygon, if you like; to appear behind another, you simply set it farther back in the space. This works quite nicely and it's easy to do. I used that idea to create this animation. All the "things" in the model are flat but some are behind others. There's even a frame in front of some of the components. I used it to hide the ends of those components but its edges are hidden so it doesn't show.

That's not what I mean.

Here's an example of the model in game:

Here's what I mean:

The the Sketchup file, there is an order in which Polygons appear.

Do you see the image? The Snowy hills do not appear behind the Transparent Polygon.

For the Snowy Hills to appear behind the Transparent Polygon, it must be the Last Polygon in the file.

For example, the transparent polygon in the picture above, the Snowy Gate. The Snowy Gate's Polygons appear before the Snow's, so you can see through it.

I want to know how I can change the Snowy Gate's Polygon to be behind the Snow's Polygons?

I'm not talking about the gate itself being Phisically behind the Snow's Polygons, I'm talking about the Order in which it is stored within the Sketchup File.

Like, it does it in Alphabetical Order I think...

Here's an example of this models Polygons when exported to Obj:

SnowModelCourseMain:Wall:AWallDirt
SnowModelCourseMain:Wall:GAte (The gate's Polygon)
SnowModelCourseMain:Wall:Trees:All
SnowModelCourseMain:Wall:ZSnow

(The First "SnowModelCourseMain" Refers to it's model name, anything in the middle refers to it's Compent Name, and the last refers to it's texture's Name)

How can I ge the gate to be last in the Polygons Order?

This model is used with Tig's OBJ Exporter Plugin to work, if that can give you any info.

Yes, I'm sorry for asking three questions in one day + making two topics, but I have other things I need help with instead.

Okay, so first, I need to know how to change the order of Polygons. Are there any plugins that can do that? Or is there an alternative method?

The model uses some Transparent Polygons. This model will also be used in a game, and in order for the Transparent Polygons to render correctly, I must have them as the last Polygons in the model. How can this be done?

Next, are there any guides for learning how to create a Sketchup Plugin? I'd really like to learn how to. Are there any guides/tutorials for Beginners?

Thank-you!

OKAY, so every time someone on the Internet asks this, they either get ignored, or nothing really happens.

I have some 3DXML files I NEED to get into Google Sketchup/3DS Max.

The only problem is that EVERY single "3DXML" Plugin/Importer/Program that can "Open 3DXML", either messes up the model, or does not work/has no textures.

Why???

I've installed TONS of Importers/Programs and not one works!

I saw a thread here back in 2007, and someone had the same problem, and only got a few "I will make an importer later" replies.

But obviously this never happened.

I'm asking if anyone is willing to create an importer.

I see people working on Plugins like a 3D Rubix Cube, or even some really good things like FredoScale.

But all I'm asking for isn't so hard.

3DXML is SO much like DAE and XML, it must be easy.

It is very Important that I get these models into Sketchup soon.

Before you suggest 3DVia, The Blender Plugin, or the 3DS Max Plugin, please know that I've tried EVERYTHING, and NOTHING'S WORKED.

It is very important that I get these models into Sketchup, so I ask that someone will spare their time and try to make an importer.

1000s of people have wanted this, but nobody's ever even tried.

So much depends on this for me personally, and all of my work will have gone to waste without it.

Can somebody atleast try?

Or is there ANY successful way to already get a 3DXML into Sketchup?

@chris fullmer said:

"white" is not transparent. Are you the one making the backgrounds, or are you getting them from somewhere? What you need is to use .png or .tif images and they need to already have the background "cutout" or made transparent.

Often that displays as "white" in your oerpating system. So two images look identical, but one might have white as the background color and the other might actually be transparent. You need to open them in Photoshop or GiMP photo-editors to erase any unwanted backgrounds. Then always save them as .png files to maintain that transparency (.jpg does not support transparency, so don't ever use jpegs if you need transparency).

Chris

I will try that.

I've gotten all my textures from somewhere else.

Currently, all my textures are in PNG.

As it stands, I am very un experienced with things like GIMP and Photoshop.

EDIT: Is there anyway I can make transparent Textures with Microsoft Paint?

Hello!

Okay, so I make Custom Race courses for the game Mario Kart Wii with Google Sketchup.

Okay, so I've been spending quite a few days modeling this thing in great very detail as far as smooth roads and such.

Well, this course takes place on an island.

To make ot more relestic, I've decided to add background Islands for extra scenery.

Due to space limitations, I cannont make 3D Background Islands, but rather as 2D textures seen from far away.

So, when I import the texture, rather than the white areas of the picture becoming transparent, they stay white.

Only a few textures in my model with white backgrounds become transparent, and the others just won't.

If you'd like to veiw my model, go to the Skethchup Warehouse, and search "Jungle Island V2" to see the current version uploaded, and maybe you can explain what I'm doing wrong.

So, can someone explain how to make the textures transparent???

Please also give me suggestions for this course.

The current model uploaded is incomplete, and the water slide & all bumpy areas have been removed/replaced. Thank-you!

@tig said:

There's an importer for Blender
http://www.blender.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18299&sid=7f24974c9439ea22c3f685a934fac0d2
So you could then perhaps export in an acceptable format ?

Oh, yes. I believe I've used that too, I just get erros the whole time.

It could be possible I installed the plugin in wrong, is there a guide for belnder plugins?

Also, would it be possible to write a Google Sketchup RB plugin using the data from that Python Plugin for Blender? It seems to have all the info you'd need if you can understand python, or even not, a lot of the code makes it obvious.

@gaieus said:

Don't promise anything, Chris!

I wish he could promiss something.

Here's what I know about 3DXML:

A place called "3DVia" had a free 3DXML to DAE converter, but now it costs money.

There used to be a 3DS Max 3DXML importer Plugin, but every download link is down.

When veiwed in a text editor, it looks to be just like an XML document.

You can go to 3D Via's site by Googling it, they have tons of 3DXML model for download, but the down DAE option has been blocked off to non-paying members.

If for some reason an importer can not be written, there is an 3DXML veiwer which displays the 3DXML with Direct 9 RX (Or something like that). I used that 3D ripper to see if it could copy the model, but it exported: An un-usable OBJ file, Not Belnder, Not GS, Not 3DS max, will open it. It also exported a "3DR" model, the 3D ripper came qith an automatically installed "3DR" importer for 3DS Max, but it never shows up.

From what I've told you, does 3DXML atleast look possible to import? Is closely DAE Releated.

Ia there another 3D Ripper that can rip Direct 9 RX Models?

Is there anyway to open 3DR files?

Thanks, I hope the info helps.

@gaieus said:

Hi Dan and welcome!

Well, I do not know about 3dxml but maybe someone will suggest a solution.

As for UV mapping, beside the basic, native tools of SU, there are plugins that can help. Some of them are:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=10404
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=23725 (well, this will involve some external apps)
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=39442
http://www.tgi3d.com/

If you use the text tool as a leader text on ungrouped geometry, by default it gives you the co-ordinates in the units your model is. Also, if you enable utilities under your preferences > extensions, there will be a menu under Tools > Utilities > Query tool which shows the co.ordinates of anything you hover over. Then there is also a plugin (this can do much more):
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=32289

Thanks for suggesting the plugins!

For the UV Mapping, could I possibly: New Face → Import 2D Graphic, Create a square around an image in the texture, bend/stretch that new square with the texture? Or is that not recommended?

And if anybody knows how to import/convert 3DXML, please write.

Hello! I'm new to SketchUCation, but an old user of Google Sketchup.

Although I've used Sketchup for a while, there are a few things I've never found out how to do on Google Sketchup, so can someone please explain the following?

First, how do I import 3DXML models? I've created quite a few very good models with other programs, but could only save/export the model as .3dxml, is there any way to convert/import this model into Google Sketchup?

Second, can you UV Map in Google Sketchup without importing it into another program and texturing it there and the re-importing it back?

Third, how do I find the model's Y/X/Z cordinates in Meter Units in Google Sketchup?

Thank-you!