@box said: Just what I needed, a scale figure with real authority! ....and he is a 'Face Me' character too....how bloody annoying is that..??!!

@rob d said: I guess I missed the announcement to that. So what gives chaps? I'm not criticizing, though it's quite an unusual move for a forum to make, so I'd like to understand the benefits to me of joining in. Hi Robin, "So what gives", thanks for asking this question in plain language I'm sad to say that very few actually are 'givers' when it comes to participation on the SketchUcation Community. What keeps things afloat are the few that actually give 100%+, the Moderators, Top SketchUcators, Ruby Developers, regularly Contributing Members also Management and of course our valued Sponsors. Premium Membership has been introduced as a means for members that wish to support SketchUcation but do not have the time to make 'time / support' contributions. In return they get free content and discounts that far outweigh the cost of their support contributions. Also they are offered the opportunity to sell their content / services via the SketchUcation Shop system. I trust these few lines explain matters. We are also 'all ears' should anyone have a better solution for keeping SketchUcation afloat and thriving. Mike

mozzie The infection is spreading as we speak...

Awesome, thanks guys.

Thanks Kris. Hope it's useful. I've just added the images inline for clarity.

Taken the main branches to a point. Added some colour variation in the leaves - but I think I've over done it. Concentrated leaves at the tips of the main branches. Still don't like those main branches. [image: O5gh_treerenderedd.jpg]

Hi Gary, Well, I must have looked elsewhere "when I was still online" so sorry for coming back so late to this. I do not think the dimension tool should have anything to do with the layers. However under arrange (menu), you can set snapping to object or grid. When set to object, it dimensions the model (until you explode it) while with grid snap on, it will dimension paper space. I am not sure what was set to you as when selecting the dimension tool, it should automatically toggle object snap on and grid snap off (AFAIK)

@rob d said: Now I just have to find a spherical filter for the GIMP.[/attachment] Not sure a fuzzy border would be the ideal filter type! I've never tried gimp though would then suggest just transforming the wire frame layer - not sure now in Gimp though in PS its just a case of selecting all then selecting to transform or manually scale. Then scaling from the corner holding ctrl you can move the corners in or out. Either that or just nudge the layer off position just a bit. Really only trying to add some light secondary lines to random areas so it looked like you've done quick light rough out construction first! Mate if your keen to try some other techniques from SU, I'd love to see someone give this one a shot. Doesn't seem anyone has really thrown an attempt in the ring! http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=16807

Thanks bud!

Nice space and nice light. I feel as if I have just come home for lunch

Hi Rob, Could you give the pay-per-day in Euros instead?

Explode them first, or convert them using the Express Tools to non-dynamic blocks before importing the file into SU. There's no way around that. To my knowledge, no other CAD or modeling program outside of AutoDesk's own products imports AutoCAD's dynamic blocks.

depending on the type of tree, the builder is going to save the client bookoo dollar in the long run, as your structure will not fall victim to the mighty root. there may be cheaper ways... but none will be as sure thing as this. unless it's a redwood, in which case you're SOL anyway.... do you have any information about the lot? distance from the structure of the tree or trees? usage of the lot surrounding the trees? ie drives? walks? what type of soil is the structure going into? how far down is bedrock? what's the frost line? lot's of questions to be answered when coming at a problem like a tree... how old is the tree? what type? how common is the tree? what species of animals and birds and insects use this tree? is the tree of historic significance? is the tree valuable? does it provide any shelter, shade or other benefits? is the tree a danger to the structure in storm or bad weather? anyway I could go on forever I suppose... it will most likely come down to one issue... what does your local government say you have to do?

Hi all. Once again, thanks for the insight. I fully respect the amount of time and money any company or individual puts into their IP, and it is only right that they should protect that. 5 years research - wow! This is why I always use genuine software (which is often swimming against the tide). I've been on a seminar arranged by the UK patent office for small business advisors, so I'm pretty clued up in the main, but it's not always the same over the pond. The Formica example is interesting but it doesn't apply IMO. They let the word become associated with something not their product. SU is SU and no-one's trying to label "sketchy" software in general as "sketchup". Looks like the way forward is to build up the site so that G can see what I'm doing and if it's a competitor or a benefit to them. I think it'll be a benefit which is why I was surprised at their stance. Kris may have hit the nail on the head with his comment: "and of course if you ask Google what they think, they are always 100% of the time going to say no, and protect their trademark or copyright." In the meantime I'll keep the URL parked.

@mitcorb said: I suspect that porting it through Revit reset the origins/axes of the offending geometry So it does. Revit, although it doesn't use OpenGL, is almost as bad at large coordinates as SU. When Solo imported the DWG file and then re-exported the view, the origin was set at the Revit model origin, not the one in the DWG. Anssi

Hi Brad, Anssi I'm exporting from sketchup to dwg, then xref-ing these files into Autocad. Whenever I change something in SU, I then re-export the dwg and "refresh" the xref in autocad. The problem is as Anssi says. When my drawing gets larger or smaller in Sketchup, the origin of the exported dwg file changes, so when I refresh in autocad... the xrefs move! Anssi - good idea on setting up the views. Unfortunately, this is the way I have been doing it, so it doesn't solve the problem. Brad - any help you can give on this is much appreciated. It's the fly in the ointment for me at the moment. I'm evaluating the SU/Acad combo as a BIM solution with a view to getting it adopted company wide, and without a fix on this I can't really recommend it. Kind regards Rob D

Be sure to include solid materials (such as wood below - which automatically molds to the curved surfaces), and fractal plants - which create random, complex, detail without clogging the SketchUp model in the criteria for a good renderer. (Just kidding of course - but it is an example of how a renderer comparison could be slanted to favor a particular rendering engine) [image: original.aspx]