CLJ,

I've read books, both by and about, Bucky, and have many in my personal library. Going on 30 years, I've been fascinated by his inventive creativity and engineering contributions (his geodesic and Dymaxion stuff.)

Once he gained some fame, he became more outspoken about philosophies, rather than practicalities. While I appreciate his contributions to architecture and engineering, I simply can't stomach his philosophical ramblings (and he did ramble-on in both his speeches and writings.)

So, I generally accept Bucky-the-engineer, and disregard Bucky-the-crank. (But I'm a "left-brained" scientist/mathematician. It appears that Fuller used both sides of his brain.)

I would think that the stage presentation was primarily philosophical (I mean, really, how much engineering can you put on stage?)

So, I'm curious, how "balanced" was the Rubicon performance?

Regards,
Taff

woodtogo,

You might try contacting TechSmith, the authors of the EnSharpen code, to ask whether (and how) the codec can be used with VLC:

Object moved

(www.techsmith.com)

Regards,
Taff

RG,

Sorry, I'm only using QuickTime to play '.mov' files, and have no experience with VLC.

Taff

Did you download and install the EnSharpen codecs, as instructed at the top of the page?

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

(sketchup.google.com)

Regards,
Taff

Ha!

Just about everyone had to edit or amend their post to provide a version 5 model (including me.) I guess that demonstrates an advantage provided by the 3D Warehouse. Any version 6 model gets a version 5 model, added automatically to the download options:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=1c0f9db2221fe9bc387ecd6083924dba

Regards,
Taff

@woodtogo said:

I am using green rotate tool and it pulls everything, face and all.

You're using the correct tool (Rotate,) but you need to toggle the 'copy' mode by tapping the <ctrl> key. Description in the Users Guide:

http://download.sketchup.com/OnlineDoc/gsu6_win/Content/D-Modification_Tools/ModTool-Rotate.htm#copying

Regards,
Taff

Ray, done...

Regards,
Taff

SketchUp 6.0.515(free) / Windows XP

balister help tut5.skp

woodtogo,

Hopefully, the notes in the attached model are sufficiently explanatory.

Your woodworking 'lathe' reference was the clue needed for the rotation 'cutter' technique.

Regards,
Taff

SketchUp 6.0.515(free) / Windows XP

balister help tut.skp

Try this 'fix' of Jenu's URL link to the AutoDesk FBX converter:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=6839916

Regards,
Taff

SketchUp 6.0.515(free) / Windows XP

Farean,

I hesitate to ask any additional questions regarding your problem, your system, your computer experience, or details of what you've tried already. I wouldn't want to offend, or imply by my questions, that you are a newbie (as if that were a bad thing. With Vista, everyone's a newbie!)

Note that Vista has problems with other software, not just SketchUp. Vista is technically still in a 'beta' phase, and will likely remain so until the first service pack is released. It has been released upon the general public, who serve as guinea pigs for debugging.

The 'newness' of Vista is also the reason so many deficiencies in the graphics card drivers provided by Microsoft and the card manufacturers. These drivers are likely to undergo frequent revisions, until (most) problems are resolved.

I just purchased a new laptop myself, through Dell business/office sales, rather than general public consumer sales. You can no longer buy a Dell consumer machine with Windows XP. They all come with Vista installed. Virtually all business sales, however, are XP, as most businesses are unwilling to deal with anything other than the most-reliable operating system. Once the general public has served to debug Vista, businesses will start to migrate (maybe another year or two from now.) Buying a business machine provided me with the opportunity to stick with XP.

The reason for asking details about your system, and the problem history, is that many people run SketchUp on Vista without problems. There is, therefore, something unique to your system causing the problem. All we can do is attempt to isolate the cause. To do that, you must be willing to experiment. This is a trial-and-error process. Some suggested trials won't work. We need to rule out possible problems, until success is achieved (hopefully.)

There is no formula or single fix that can be delivered upon demand/request.

The best way to start is to first remove as many variables as possible. This includes Vista variables, OpenGL variables and SketchUp variables.

Vista & Installation of SketchUp

I've periodically seen posts where Google Support personnel suggest uninstalling SketchUp, then reinstalling while in Vista 'Safe Mode' environment. This helps ensure that the installation is not somehow compromised by something running in the background. (Once installed, the Safe Mode should not be required to run SketchUp.)

The generic installation recommendations reference Vista and 'Administrator rights.' (This is likely the source of the advice previously suggested to you.)
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=56085
(Take special note of step 9.)

Graphics support

The default Microsoft graphics drivers distributed with Vista are woefully out-of-date. Google recommends an immediate (and frequent repeated) update of the driver, especially for nVidia cards. The nVidia drivers receive special mention on this Help Center page:
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=69299

SketchUp

Once installed, run SketchUp, go to 'Window > Preferences > OpenGL' and disable 'Use hardware acceleration.' Close SketchUp.

Reboot.

Test running SketchUp, including file access (loading and saving files.)

As for the 'running' environment, it is recommended that you...
"Exit any programs or utilities running in the background (anti-virus software, printer/plotter managers, pop-up blockers, security/firewall software, remote desktop connection software, and so on.)"
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=36259

If it works, great. But note that all we've done is remove variables. We haven't actually isolated the problem.

To continue, re-introduce all that we've circumvented, one-at-a-time. Start with OpenGL (as that seems to be the most common deficiency.) Re-enable 'hardware acceleration,' close SketchUp, re-start, and test SketchUp functions again.

If everything works, then the new OpenGL driver may have fixed the problem. If the file problem re-appears, then the driver is definitely the fault.

Next, re-introduce background tasks, one-at-a-time, (firewall, anti-virus, blockers, etc.) testing SketchUp with each change in operating environment.

Eventually (hopefully,) you should be back to a 'default' operating environment, with all background tasks running (and SketchUp, too.)

Please note again that I don't have Vista. The above is simply a compilation of all that I've read in Help Group discussions and in the SketchUp Help Center. You don't mention whether you use SketchUp Pro or the free version. If the above does not resolve the problem, and you use SketchUp Pro, you can contact SketchUp Support.
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=46781

The Help Group and the Community Forum are comprised of volunteers, and may not be able to resolve a unique situation. We can only speak from experience, limited as SketchUp users, not developers (although some SketchUp folks do monitor these groups.)

A very experienced computer tech could run background monitoring programs to watch what is happening with the system when a SketchUp error occurs. These system tools, like 'Event viewer' and the 'SysInternals' tools, are available on your system, or are available free from Microsoft. I've occasionally used these tools, but it requires intimate familiarity with operating system processes and services.

Event Viewer is already on XP systems, so I presume the same is true for Vista. The SysInternal tools, which can monitor just about anything, are available from Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Since I don't know your computer proficiency, I'm uncertain that you possess the expertise to apply these tools. I mention them in case you are one of the fortunate few who don't fear to tread where most dare not go (a most exclusive club.) Some of these tools may even be used by Google SketchUp developers who are trying to debug a problem. Even then, they need to be able to reproduce your problem on one of their computers. This is often the limiting block to resolving a problem. They may not be able to reproduce your error.

If all this fails, then you may be forced to wait until graphics drivers and Vista 'catch-up' to the requirements of SketchUp [i:i3mh3mda](most of this has to do with OpenGL compatibility.)[/i:i3mh3mda] SketchUp is on the leading edge of programming that relies on the OpenGL standards. Microsoft, on the other hand, isn't that interested in OpenGL because they developed the competing technology, DirectX.

Graphics card manufacturers do implement OpenGL, but typically only so far. They implement only those functions required to run OpenGL games, not the entire OpenGL standard.
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=36252

Regardless of Toby's disparaging implication that the Help Group is unfriendly, I've seen [i:i3mh3mda](and hopefully contributed to)[/i:i3mh3mda] a lot of SketchUp users receiving help from the two groups. Several of the participants here also contribute to helping users there.
http://groups.google.com/group/SketchUp/topics
http://groups.google.com/group/sketchup-Pro-Groups/topics

I'm sorry that you didn't receive satifactory responses from your previous request. Please, don't let that stop you from availing yourself of future assistance or advice from all three communities. [i:i3mh3mda](I've learned most of the above by frequenting all three forums.)[/i:i3mh3mda]

I would like to be able to guarantee that the above advice will resolve your problem. Unfortuately, I sometimes don't know how to help further.

Please keep us posted regarding your progress. Others may have an identical problem, so we have an interest in hearing about both successes and failures.

Regards,
Taff

Bill,

I have only learned the basic single-line commands required to fulfill a need-of-the-moment.

I generally use only the Ruby Console, and have not yet pursued incorporating multiple ruby commands into a script. I know it's not a big deal - I just haven't needed it yet.

The advantage of a script is usually driven by a need for repeated, frequent use of commands, or when more-than-a-few multiple commands need to be run consecutively. So far, I haven't been confronted with such needs (primarily because there are so many appropriate downloadable scripts.)

Regards,
Taff

If, in the free version, you want to set a specific location without using Google Earth, you can do so through the 'Ruby Console'

These are the four separate ruby commands I use to query the currently-set location:

Sketchup.active_model.shadow_info["City"
Sketchup.active_model.shadow_info["Country"]
Sketchup.active_model.shadow_info["Longitude"]
Sketchup.active_model.shadow_info["Latitude"]]

These are the corresponding commands to set the parameters:

Sketchup.active_model.shadow_info["City"="Springfield, IL"
Sketchup.active_model.shadow_info["Country"]="USA"
Sketchup.active_model.shadow_info["Longitude"]=-89.67
Sketchup.active_model.shadow_info["Latitude"]=39.85]

I used the above commands to set my current location, then saved a model template (just as Edson suggests.) Setting this template as my default now establishes this location for any new model I create.

For your location, simply look up your longitude and latitude (in decimal format) and modify the above commands.

Regards,
Taff

Try this diagnostic test, to see if you've got an OpenGL deficiency. Go to...

'Window > Preferences > OpenGL'

...and disable 'Use hardware acceleration'

This will force SketchUp to do all the graphics calculations, rather than passing functions to your graphics card. If this diagnostic test resolves the odd behavior, then you need to obtain an updated driver for your graphics card.

References:
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=36252
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=66154

You can leave hardware acceleration disabled, as SketchUp will run okay without it, but it will run slower. The ideal resolution is downloading and installing an updated graphics driver.

Hanna,

You may have a problem with OpenGL graphics compatibility for your graphics hardware.

The square face may indeed be there, but your system isn't displaying it.

What computer and operating system are you using?

More specifically:

http://download.sketchup.com/OnlineDoc/gsu6_win/Content/D-Modification_Tools/ModTool-Rotate.htm#multiplecopies

Describes rotate-copying a 'Multiple Array'

Regards,
Taff

Do you mean video tutorials beyond those at Google?

http://sketchup.google.com/gsu5vtvideos.html
(Video numbers 17 & 18)

Regards,
Taff

Wanna know my secret?

There happens to be a 'full dump' URL for the SketchUp Help Center:

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

(sketchup.google.com)

You can then use your browser's 'find-on-page' feature to find words or phrases that you may recall being used in a Help Center topic.

Or, of course, you can read through everything to familiarize yourself with the wealth of information available. Hope you like reading...

Regards,
Taff

The PDF manuals can be downloaded from the Google Help Center:

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

(sketchup.google.com)

Regards,
Taff

You can view a listing of components and any components contained within:

Open the 'Model Info' dialog box, and select 'Statistics' from the left-hand column. Select 'Only components' from the right-hand drop-down list. Also check the box 'Show nested components'

(And there's your SketchUp terminology -- 'Nested' components.)

You can obtain similar results with the 'Outliner' window.

Regards,
Taff

Al,

There's a problem ( perhaps - please confirm )

I've been experimenting for a week-or-so regarding the problem with the Model ID being 'inherited' from a parent model, when using the 'Save as...' or 'Save copy as...' commands. As you noted, the 'cloned' file has the same 'mid' number as the parent model file. I've been testing ruby code with the ruby console.

Problem description

I discovered how to delete the 'ModelID' key, exactly the same way you coded in your ruby script. I could indeed upload the 'clone' file to the 3DWarehouse, as a 'new' model. I then completed the upload process by saving the file before closing it, as you're supposed to, in order to save the new ModelID into the 'clone' model file. When I reload the model, there is NO 'ModelID' key stored in the file.

Doing it again, I checked for a 'ModelID' key as soon as the upload was successfully completed. Again, no 'ModelID' key! In the ruby console, I am using the following to return the 'ModelID' key:

Sketchup.active_model.get_attribute('3DWarehouse','ModelID')

Experimenting further, I found that the Warehouse apparently does generate a new 'mid' number, but it either does not return it to my model in SketchUp, or the model fails to accept it. Additional testing revealed that a new 'mid' number does not get coded into the model unless the entire dictionary, '3DWarehouse' is deleted. (This deletes the 'ModelID' key, which is contained in the dictionary.) I used the following in the ruby console:

Sketchup.active_model.attribute_dictionaries.delete('3DWarehouse')

Checking afterwards, the dictionary and key are indeed deleted. Uploading to the Warehouse is accepted as a new model, and a new 'mid' number is generated, just as before. Upon completion, and checking my model for the 'ModelID' key, the correct number is, this time, returned in the ruby console (by correct, I mean it matches the URL 'mid' number.)

By using, primarily, the two ruby snippets above, I'm convinced that deleting just the key doesn't completely fix the problem - the dictionary has to be deleted, as well.

During testing, I also used these two snippets (for diagnostics):

Sketchup.active_model.attribute_dictionary('3DWarehouse').keys

Sketchup.active_model.attribute_dictionary('3DWarehouse')

Would you be so kind as to confirm this behavior? If your posted ruby script requires revision, now's the time to catch it, before many people download or reference it.

Regards,
Taff