@vapross said:

@unknownuser said:

The key is saving your scenes in Sketchup so they are identical in orientation, otherwise they will not align in LO.

Sonder, that's is the main question - why the vector viewport is jumping when everything is saved (scenes with all checkboxes, file, model reference updated etc)
I think the best illustration will be a short video

So your issue is alignment in Sketchup scenes. You need to make sure the scenes are "stacked" exactly in order for them to work in LO without having to manually move things around in LO.

I use templates now where the scenes are already created making the setup really easy on every project. If I were starting from scratch, using a floor plan as an example, I would first create the base scene that I want to raster image which is most of the floor plan layers on, except the line work. Once you have everything visible you want to see, update the scene. To create the next scene that is going to show linework only, start with the floor plan scene, toggle off all your layers except those you want to vector render. Then create a new scene. Doing this process ensures the two scenes have the exact same alignment.

You can test the alignment issue by simply clicking through the scenes in SU. If the model jumps around, it will do the same thing in LO.

I talk about it here at the 4:00 mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK8lusVdHTQ

The key is saving your scenes in Sketchup so they are identical in orientation, otherwise they will not align in LO.

@agrazdi said:

Marvelous

i have a question, you mention in one video that if you have the scrapbook linked to your own drawings, the size of the file would be increased or just the computer would run slower ???

Thanks

Sorry, we did those videos mostly in one take. The amount of scrapbooks folders accessed can slow the program down. It should have no impact on file size. This is only true for scrapbooks that contain Sketchup model references like my detail scrapbooks.

In case anyone is interested, Trimble came to my office and did an in depth series that will be highlighted in much more detail in the upcoming book I'm co-authoring with Matt Donley.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bndkJaV8A6tVUVIlqFHMAcodO8aATrh

Hi Paul, my apologies.

We are a little behind, which is my fault. Running an architectural business and writing a book at the same time has been more time consuming than I expected. Trimble came to my office last month to do some follow-up videos, so hopefully this will ease the wait a little. The book will go into a lot of detail on these processes, as well as provide one of my house models to follow along or dissect as you feel necessary. Without Matt, this wouldn't even happen!
Here's a link to the new video series...much more in depth than the last ones:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bndkJaV8A6tVUVIlqFHMAcodO8aATrh

Thanks guys. We are moving along.

And yes I will discuss successful export of ACAD files from both SU and LO. Quick note on exporting from LO, if they are seeing only black in ACAD, try exporting to paper space and have them toggle to paper space in ACAD. They will see everything including raster images of the SU model to scale. If you are exporting paper space (which you should be) and they are simply opening their ACAD file in default model space - they will see only a black screen.

@juju said:

I know this could get a little tricky, and it is more on the modeling side, but a chapter on various helpful plugins would do wonders. There are so many, I know, and a few that do basically the same as others (which is better or fits the use better). If you break it down, much like Krisidious' thread on this, it would add much more to the book, in my opinion.

Hi Juju:

I will discuss a couple plug-ins, but the book's goal is to detail what can be done with native SU and LO, allowing the end user to setup their specific plug-ins to meet their needs. I think people may be surprised at how simple it is to produce very detailed drawings utilizing the native software.

Keep the ideas coming. The main goal is maintaining the simplicity SU and LO provide. The book will focus on the use of native SU and LO with minimal plug-ins, so that the end user can customize their use of plug-ins to meet their needs. There will be some base files included to clearly illustrate the process.

Scrapbooks - I have many, too many to include, but some basics will probably be provided to explain that aspect of the book.

My detail libraries will be available for purchase, - we are still figuring that aspect out as well.

It has been an amazing experience working with Matt. The collaboration has resulted in refinement to many aspects of my process that I think you will all appreciate.

There will be strong focus on prepping the SU model for LO, as that is probably the most important aspect of the process. This will include both site and building design.

What an undertaking, that without Matt, would probably never happen. I'm running several projects in tandem with the book. Expect release this summer.

Thanks for posting this Rich. I am very excited to be working with Matt. We are moving along nicely, but appreciate any feedback during the process. If you have any specific areas you would like to see incorporated into the book, please feel free to post them here. I do check the site at least once a week.

All the best to my friends at SketchUcation.

+1 on the revision cloud. It would be great to have customization. Possibly a tool that links arcs along a path, then when closed options for the revision tag, placement and number. The scrapbook method does not work well for really defined revisions that need to be clouded around notes, objects etc.

Under preferences/general - unclick automatically re-render. This still keeps the link, but you decide when you update it.

Shadows reproduce just fine on "low". Make sure you print it and you will see the resolution is more than enough for a 24x36 set.

FWIW. I export all my CD's at the low setting. It prints beautifully and is much smaller in file size.

It is the raster image that increases the file size. That said, the quality of the pdf is far better than the pdf printers I have tried. This becomes very apparent when you print a full size sheet. I just deal with the larger file size. A typical set of CD's for a house is around 120mb. I just use dropbox to send. I typically use dropbox anyway as it is a simple link to the email addressee, opposed to clogging your email server. No issues so far.

Check your dimension style, and verify it is on auto, and not set to a specific scale for perspective dimensions.

Saving scenes in SU is the best way to make your life easy in LO.

Hi Jeff - Mounted to a post. On the snow, compared to what we normally get, that is no snow. In a normal year the camera would have been buried for 5 Months!

No snow or rain - 4th year of drought and going! We need some snow badly!

One of my clients sent me this today - time lapse of the construction of one of my home designs fully developed and documented in Sketchup and Layout of course.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j8i0ayxquew6nqb/330%20Time%20Lapse%20Final.mov?dl=0

Nice throw down Rich! That was too funny!