Very cool. Its amazing how similar it is to Jeff Han's Perceptive Pixel work. My first thought was Microsoft must have licenced Jeff Han's technology but in looking at the Microsoft pages that doesn't seem to be the case. (Looks like a lawsuit eh?).
Anyways -- I'd love to have one. Imagine the possibilities for digital painting and rendering work! Also looks like it would be a great presentation tool. I can imagine every architect wanting one.
Regards, Ross
Ross Macintosh
I can't take credit for all those big words. I found the statement on a joke site. I have known people who talk like that --- real fun to be around. 
Regards, Ross
Hi Sean -- welcome to the forums.
It seems to me that there are two primary ways users utilize SketchUp. First is to visualize a design - allowing a preconceived design to be seen as a virtual 3d object. The second way SketchUp is used is as a design tool where the design is developed as the user models.
From my years on this forum & its predecessor, I'd suggest more people use it for the first. That probably relates to many of us around here aren't designers but still find producing SketchUp visualizations useful, or have jobs where we model other people's designs. Those that are designers may still design on paper and then use SketchUp to 'test' an idea or model it so the design can be visualized by others.
Using SketchUp as a design tool is actually quite different. It's the old "two steps forward - one step back" trial & error approach of exploring ideas in real time with continual reassessment based on what the model visualizes for you as you create it. Just as with designing using pen & paper, what a designer needs to 'see' something informative in a few 3d forms in SketchUp can be quite different than what is needed to communicate a design to others. SketchUp really can be a personal tool.
Both approaches are completely valid and many of us use SketchUp both ways. I'd suggest look at how you've been using SketchUp so far and try to expand your skills in the direction you've been less focused on. All of us can get better at the visualization end and all can get better at using SU to think through a design and explore possibilities.
Regards, Ross
Hi Larry
Addressing your problem requires some background info so you can understand what is happening. Sorry if I'm a bit long winded but without some of this background understanding how to get good exports is difficult.
In SketchUp v6 we have two fundamentally different ways to have edges rendered. By default, vector (mathmatically defined by SketchUp's program code) edges are applied. Up until version six those vector edges were the only choice. With version six came a new technology that SU's developers call 'Sketchy Edges'. With them the edges may or may not actually be sketchy and that adds to the confusion. What 'Sketchy Edges' is all about is having edges defined not by vectors but by bitmapped sets of images. The program will in effect use a image of line (and that image can be "sketchy" or not) and use it to display an edge. The system is smart enough to be able to use sets of images showing lines of different lengths and apply them to the image appropriately enough that short edges get displayed with short images and with enough variation that the end effect can really look like it was, say, hand drawn.
SketchUp v6 uses the concept of "Styles" as a way to apply edge and other display-related effects. It is important to understand that the Styles are just a way to allow us to bundle together, reuse, and share particular sets of settings. An individual Style definition may or may not use the image-based 'Sketchy Edge' system. Some are defined with the default vector edges.
Now just to be clear, understand that when vector-based edge display systems are used the approach is really resolution independant as far as the program is concerned. It simply draws lines from endpoint to endpoint. In contrast the 'Sketchy Edge' system is very resolution dependant. Within a Style that has the Sketchy Edges, a set of 'line' images is used. If that particular Style incorporates 15 different 'line' images in it, then the program must render the visible edges in model view using just those images. SketchUp's system for doing that is actually quite sophisticated. It will shrink and stretch those images automatically and generally try to apply the most appropriate image from the set for a particular edge. Now of course it can't actually see the images and so all of this is done automatically using algorithms in the program code.
There are limitations to the system. The big one relates to resolutions. It makes achieving WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) output difficult. An important aspect to understand is that what you see on your monitor has been processed by your graphics card while what you export doesn't use the graphics card at all -- exports are generated by the SketchUp software. Many users have a tendency when they export an image to assume higher resolution is better and so they crank up the pixel size of their exports using SU's export options. When the 'Sketchy Edge' system is involved the results stop being wysiwyg. The higher resolution means the algorithms are recalculating what 'line' image to display for what edges differently than was done when the display view was originally generated. Hence an export can look different than what we saw on our monitors.
I actually over-simplified the above explanation. The system also has features like applying 'halo', level of detail, profiles, and edge extensions -- things that all have some aspect of being resolution dependant in how they are applied. It is also noteworthy that even before Sketch Edge technology was added in v6 that there have always been differences between exports and what we see on our monitors whenever the resolutions involved are different.
Now for some advice... (finally)
If you want an image that matches what you see on your monitor the best choice is to do a screen capture. You can use the utilities built into your operating system or stand-alone screen-capture software. Some of you will be saying "but Rossy I need higher resolution!" In that case I'd highly recommend you do your screen capture and then use PhotoZoom Pro2 to effectively improve the resolution of your screenshot. (PhotoZoom is available for macs & pc's and is a very useful graphics tool).
You can also try exporting from SU using the "use view size" option although I've found the results less satisfactory than doing screenshots. In my work designing Styles for distribution by FormFonts I have found that the only predictable output is via screenshots. Some styles will export more faithful to what you saw on your monitor than others - but screenshots always seem to work. Crank up your monitor to its maximum resolution and take your screenshot.
In conclusion I'd note to Larry to realize that his use of the '1 pixel' style is in fact using the Sketchy Edge system. If he was using a vector-based edge like is used in SU's "default styles" then he might not have the same export problems.
Regards, Ross
Hi Gil --- I found your movie very informative. Now I want to go on 'Survivor' and really show my team how to build some quality digs! Gil, was that you doing the narration? If so, you did a good job walking me through the approach you take when building on of your fine bamboo houses.
Do you have finished pictures of some of this kind of house that you can share?
Regards, Ross
Beautiful renderings. Are you sure you even used a renderer? Okay, I'll accept they are renderings because chances are you aren't that good of a photographer. 
Excellent.
Granted. You decide you want a Spice Girls CD but you come to realize that really your Wife's Aunt shouldn't be giving you anything as you don't deserve her generosity. You never-ever reciprocate with any gifts for her. To make up for your past selfishness you sign over your car to her and consequentially suffer through a expletive-filled tongue lashing from your wife who now has no way to get around thanks to your "selfishness".
I wish I could change my name to "Dash Riprock".
Just as Ross was rolling his eyes and about to mutter some choice swear words, he heard Captain Bush start to laugh hysterically. Ross knew it was the Captain as his laugh was distinctive - sounding like a donkey crossed with a MK16 Combat Assault Rifle in full-automatic mode. Then all of a sudden there was a load thud and with it the laughing stopped cold. Moving a few steps closer and looking through the window into the Bridge, Ross could see the Bridge crew standing over an apparently dead or unconscious Captain Bush. Rushing in he exclaimed "what happened?". Navigator Mike Lucey explained that Kevin's performance had the Captain laughing hysterically and that all of a sudden the Captain collapsed. He either had a massive heart attack or ripped a gut -- either way the Captain was dead. Ross bluntly advised Mike and the other crew to feed the body to the sharks. As the Captain's limp body was dragged off the Bridge Ross turned to Kevin the Tea Boy and outstretched his hand. Shaking Kevin's hand, Ross expressed his sincere appreciation for the speedy yet unorthodox way Kevin had dispatched the Captain to his eternity in hell. Kevin just mumbled: "er.. thanks... I didn't mean to kill him" as he was still in shock from the unexpected reaction to his performance. Now that the mission was over, Ross asked Kevin the Tea Boy if there was anything XX9 could do for him. Kevin replied that he still needed to get to India as he still needed to select tea for the Pope. Ross spoke into his wrist watch -- apparently some kind of spy phone. Upon finishing a brief whispered conversation with the watch, he advised Kevin that XX9 Control told him...
How about a Christmas tree shaped cutter & some stars? And you know those little silver balls that get put on Christmas cookies? -- well they could look cool in a render. It's always cool to have lots of shiny stuff!
Regards, Ross
Walter -- I haven't forgotten that I said I'd be commissioning some of your work when (power of positive thinking) I win the lottery. I'll keep you busy!
Thanks for sharing images of your project with us.
Regards, Ross
I really like the organization of the spaces. As the night shot shows, it works really well having the main living spaces on the upper level. You'll get a reasonable amount of privacy from all those walking on the sidewalk. Having the office below also seems very practical. If it were to be built for me, I'd get rid of the bedroom next to the office and expand the office to occupy that end of the plan. It would be a very good home for a work-at-home architect or perhaps a palm-reader.
Regards, Ross
Mr Clements, my old buddy!
The Window>Preferences>Shortcuts panel does have an 'export' option that will allow you to sync your shortcuts for two computers. Export from one and import into the other and you'll be more "Insync" than a boy band.
Regards, Ross
I like the way both Scotty and Elysium seem to approach this. One technique to develop the kinds of profiles they write about is to create a story. A literal story. Think of who will use the facilities -- they are your characters. Think of the feelings you want them to experience. Set the scenes necessary for them to have those experiences. The exercise can quickly translate into ideas about how the project should take form and give you confidence in the direction you take it. It can also give you useful ideas about how to explain the design to others. The technique works well with almost any kind of design project but especially ones that focus on an 'experiential' aspect. It also allows you to add to the story other characters with unique perspectives that can also inform. For instance, in your 'story' additional characters to consider might be staff or the disabled.
The technique can very quickly draw out of you creative ideas and can be a great tool for soliciting useful input from others. Tell them the story and get there input on making it better. One good thing about the technique is that it draws from imagination - informed by experience but not governed by it. It can help you design things about which you have no direct experience. You don't have to write it down if you don't want - the story is just a tool. A fun tool. Smile
Regards, Ross
I was having trouble trying to find a suitable Christmas present for my thirteen year old son. Earlier today when out shopping I found this Radio-Controlled Flight Simulator system you use with a pc. It has a R/C controller that hooks up to the computer via usb and it lets you control any of 60 realistic R/C planes & helicopters in quite realistic simulations. I had a chance to see my nine year old son give it a try in the hobby store. He managed to get the plane airborne and was flying it in a city until he crashed into a building. The graphics were very good - including realtime shadows, reflections, smoke effects, realistic collision effects, etc. Very cool!
Any of you folks ever try one of these simulators? Might be a great gift idea in your family too. I have the feeling our whole family is going to enjoy this virtual r/c flying thing.
Regards, Ross
Granted. Your cat does like you but perhaps a bit too much as he tries to romance your leg every chance he gets.
I wish I knew what I should get my wife for Christmas.
"...I really need your help. Captain Bush is an evil little man who must never reach India. He intends to bomb the India Ink factory in an attempt destroy the Indian economy. He intends to have the cost of labour fall so much that even with his modest retirement savings he'll be able to employ many-many thousands of labourers to pick every last tea leaf in India. His plan is that within fourteen months he will control all the tea in the world!"
A stunned Kevin asked, "how do know this?" to which Ross replied that in addition to being such a beautiful person he was in fact also a spy. He explained that he had been infiltrating Internet forums posing as an architect but his real role was following all talk of tea for a secret agency known as XX9. The Agency's interest in tea relates to the antioxidant properties and the top-secret discovery at Area51 that alien spacecraft use antioxidants as a fuel source. The Agency has reason to believe Captain Bush's interest in taking over the tea market relates to a possible global invasion by Aliens. Captain Bush is either a puppet of the aliens or seeks to profit greatly when the aliens come for our resources. Either way he is an evil man who must be stopped.
Kevin thought about what Ross had said and he agreed to help. Furthermore he told Ross an idea he had an idea about how to stop Captain Bush. The idea was to...
Over the years I've printed very little direct from SU. That changed recently as I started working in an office that has a nice colour laser printer and I love seeing the colour output.
The mistake I was making for a while with printing related to the size of my modelling window vs. the print area. I was finding my printed models to be small relative the paper. Eventually I realized that my dimwitted mistake was in thinking 'stretch to fit' (or whatever the printer drivers call it) would make my model fit. What I was forgetting about was the print is the entire modelling window and not just the model. So with a big monitor with lots of floating tool panels open I might just have my view of the actual model taking up less than half of the overall modelling window. On printing it is the entire window that prints. As I often work with a white background and sky & ground turned off, it isn't always very obvious why the model printed so much smaller than expected.
Now what I do is before printing I resize my window and think of it as a cropping or framing tool to determine exactly what I want to print.
Regards, Ross
P: Ross at work
Looks cool. How big is the physical model? The images make it look like it could be tiny.
Regards, Ross