Hi frv
Maybe you could try emailing the file .style.zip file to yourself and then rename it to just .style when you save it with the download manager (assuming macs still have the download manager the os used to have). If that does work remember avoid 'opening' the style as it seems that action will reassociate the particular file with archiving.
Regards, Ross
Thanks for all the nice comments on the style. So warm & fuzzy.
Regarding styles and macs...
I don't use a mac but I think I'm correct with this information as it really relates to both macs and pc's. Styles are indeed just zip archives renamed with the .style extension in place of the .zip extension. The files are not meant to be clicked on and opened. (You can do it a pc too if you direct the computer to open the .style extension with a unzipping application).
To use downloaded styles in SketchUp you need only to have it in a folder and then use SU's 'add' feature direct SU to include that folder's content in the available styles. I made this instruction sheet for FormFonts. What I do and recommend is organizing your styles in different folders. For instance I have a folder where I put styles downloaded from the forums -- that way I can keep track of the source.
Regards, Ross
rhankc -- Here's a tip: I find with most styles I need to tweak the shadow light/dark sliders to optimize appearance. Generally I have the 'light' slider over full right so for me its really just adjusting the 'dark' slider.
Further to that tip, it sounds like your problem relates to resolution...
The most important thing to understand about styles is they are resolution dependant. It is complicated by the fact that what you see on-screen is dependant upon how your graphics card is set. When you export a jpg, png or tiff the graphics card is completely uninvolved. Export resolution is set in the export dialogue and completely software dependant. Most SketchUp users export at different resolutions than what they were seeing on screen. When sketchy edges aren't involved that isn't a problem but when they are it can really change the appearance.
So when we work with styles we need to think differently about making exports. Getting a export to appear similar to what you saw on-screen can take some trial and error. The first thing to try is forgetting that old SketchUp technique of exporting at high resolution and then resizing it down using photoshop etc. --- that technique originated with trying to eliminate jaggies. It is less relevant with styles and can actually be quite counter productive. Instead try just exporting using the screen resolution option. If you then need to resize the image, down or up, try using a program like PhotoZoomPro. (It is an excellent tool for anyone (all of us!) who works with digital images. Well worth the price and it is for macs and windows).
I hope this advice helps.
Regards, Ross
Thanks Kris
Here's another example using the style...
I attach a more architectural example of the same style.
Even though I've spent a lot of time developing styles in my own presentation work I haven't been using them much. I do however use them lots when modelling. I'll occasionally take a break from modelling and check out how the model looks in various styles. I do this for the fun of it but also in the hope that seeing the design different ways will help me to really 'see' it. I find it works. The exercise almost always gives me new insights into what I'm doing. It helps overcome the old rendering problem that renderers can easily be seduced by their own drawings, failing to see their work objectively.
Regards, Ross
Here's a custom pencil style I developed to share. This one is a little scratchy like the paper had some tooth. At FormFonts.com I have developed others with a variety of pencil-like appearances.
Regards, Ross
If the style extension does not download for some reason, download the zip file and rename it .style
I attach a preview of Craig's style. I applied it to this tracked excavator from FormFont's new model sharing eXchange. It wasn't until I did the SU export and was looking at it that I saw the style features samurai swords instead of lines. In SketchUp I had just thought it was a bit odd --- but now seeing the swords I'm thinking "odd but interesting".
Regards, Ross
I don't use the reload feature much but when I do it has always worked well. My most common use of it relates to trees & place-holders. I will create a simple component - like a vertical line - that represents the trunk of a tree. It will be a place-holder that I can later replace with the tree via reload. I then just position the place-holders everywhere I want a tree without any performance hit in SketchUp. Later they are switched to the trees in one reload.
I never have problems with the axis because I typically start by inserting one tree. Once in the model I do a save as on that component so it is in the same folder as my current SU model file. (I just find keeping them together works well for file management). I then select the in-place component of the tree, make a copy, and make it 'unique'. On this new unique version I then edit it by eliminating all the geometry and put in the basic geometry I'll use as my place-holder. For a tree that could be just a short vertical line but for a car it might be a simple box. Upon completing that component editing I then do another save as on that component giving it a name like "tree-placeholder.skp". As before, I save it to the same folder with the overall model. Now I have a placeholder with the same origin as the tree component. I can then position copies of that place-holder anywhere I want trees. The last time I did this I put in a few hundred of the place-holder -- with the model being much-much easier to work with than if it had all the trees in it. I've also done the same thing for parking lots with dozens of cars. Note that if you use a line as a place-holder for a tree, you can have that line's height match that of the tree it will be switched with. Then it is very easy to scale some of your place holders for variety when the trees are loaded.
Regards, Ross
Thanks Jim! I saw the thing on your site about buying you a beer. I'd like that and when we meet it will happen. 'Til then I hope this beer song will give you a grin.
Regards, Ross
Thanks Burkhard and Holger K! You are appreciated.
What I like about this collection is it has lots of browns. Over the years I've spent many frustrating hours trying to mix just the right browns I needed using SU colour mixer. It seems to me browns are the most difficult colours to mix. This collection will make my life easier. I'm a happy camper now.
Regards, Ross
And here's a slatter one I made with an example image...
Regards, Ross
Kris - I think Irsuser is refering to sketchy 'materials' or textures rather than styles.
Irsuser -- I had posted a bunch I made over at the old SketchUp forums. The thread can be found here over at the Google SU Pro Groups. If you expand the thread (using link near the top left) you can see all the posted textures. There are several plus a zip archive with a few in it.
I hope they are useful to you.
Regards, Ross
Attached is a small tile I often use. It works pretty well. At only 3k in size it doesn't add much weight to the model and yet still looks good from a reasonable distance.
Regards, Ross
I've just reported this thread to some folks at Google who I know will review it. If it is a new issue I'm sure they will log it for fixing. If its a known (logged) issue then perhaps the fact that it is being discussed here by users will have them reassess its priority in being fixed. I know the Google team work hard at making SketchUp as good as they can - and that they are doing it for us. I also know that they appreciate all the info users can bring in threads like this, helping to resolve those bugs & problems we users are really having.
Regards, Ross
Impressive renders Solo! I'm just seeing these now. Yesterday I downloaded the beta and have been playing with it. If I had seen your posting before I'd have downloaded the beta much earlier! Your examples are very inspiring.
Regards, Ross
Eric -- I think the gent you refer to was Brandon.
Regards, Ross
