I have been adding several ruby scripts to SU recently and noticed something that is a little peculiar. With these scripts of course are new toolbars. I have been positioning them on my screen and saving a template. The template works fine with the new palettes.

On the Mac, you can customize your toolbar. I noticed that all of the ruby script palettes show up as customizable tools when I select customize toolbar. That was cool so I wanted to see if I could place these tools in the toolbar. Drag the individual tools into position just like the regular SU tools. I did this and saved a template but when I quit SU and launched it again, the ruby tools did not show up in the toolbar. I had placed some separators between the new tools and they were visible but not the ruby tools.

The other odd thing was that if I chose New from Template under File, a new window opened and the tools were now visible. It’s not that big of a deal but I have a feeling it is something in the preferences setup that prevents the ruby tools from showing up in a template. I am using the template with the ruby tool palettes but if there is a fix for the other I would like to try it.

Just curious.
Tim

I came across this yesterday when I exported my model to Illustrator for editing. When I selected individual segments to change the stroke size, other segments were also altered. I was using the direct selection tool which should have isolated the segment I wanted to change.

It seems that when an image from SU is exported it is comprised of compound paths and groups. The way to make the image behave like it should in Illustrator is to do the following. Select the entire image (select all). Under Object, select Compound Path and Release. Again select all and under Object again select Ungroup. Now every segment is isolated and can be edited without effecting any other one. This will also allow you to group together segments in a way you want.

I don’t know how many will find this useful but it will work if you need to export to Illustrator.

Have a great holiday weekend.
Tim

The end result for my model is line art so I was trying to get pretty close to the original product. I exported an eps to Illustrator for final tweaking. Actually there was more tweaking than I originally anticipated since I haven’t figured out how to model some of the curved surfaces. Attached is a before and after image. I still hope to model these kind of surfaces but it was easier at this point to tweak the shapes in Illustrator.

Tim

before.pdf

after.pdf

thanks

@johnsenior1973 said:

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

(sketchup.google.com)

Just tried it a little.

Just used the Push-Pull with CTRL four times with a rectangle with a curve on front. I didn't round out the edges of the curve, you'll probably have to to get it more accurate.

Let’s try this. I copied the model into a new file and I am attaching the photo separate. Hopefully it will open now.

@gaieus said:

Hm. I tried that way too - and got a bugsplat.

water_dispenser2.skp

I’m not getting any errors on my end but John was looking at this file yesterday and here is how he was able to open it. Could it be a Mac/PC issue?

I got bug splats even when downloading from the 3DW. I eventually opened it okay by opening up SU and loading it directly into SU from the program.

@gaieus said:

Sorry Tim,

I could not open the file, I got a bugsplat.

Sure, you can turn off the base and the bottle to see the photo I am working off of. Thanks for your patience.

@gaieus said:

can you upload the file (it seem that it's rather me who is blunt here...)

water_dispenser.skp

I understand how to use the follow me tool to lathe the bottle but I don’t understand how to use it when the end result is not symmetrical. I have a curved front, vertical sides and the edges are curved. Sorry to be so dense.

@gaieus said:

Hi Tim,

If you use the follow me tool to lathe the 2D shape into 3D, you can make the top edge of the 2D drawing any shape (e.g. sloping or curving or anything).

Thanks for the tutorial. There are some good tips in it. This is a tricky little model. The top section is sloping back but the slope is actually a curve. And with the edges around the top plane curved, I am stumped.

Thanks,
Tim

@johnsenior1973 said:

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

(sketchup.google.com)

I got bug splats even when downloading from the 3DW. I eventually opened it okay by opening up SU and loading it directly into SU from the program.

I hope you can work out what to do from my crappy example. I'm not a very good tutorial writer.

That’s odd. I downloaded the model myself and it worked fine. I saved a copy and posted in the warehouse. Here is the link http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=84b456b666b21042b9f5ce190cd5193
Thanks,
Tim

@johnsenior1973 said:

I keep getting Bug Splats whenever I open the file. I've never had that problem before and files open from 3DW okay so there might be a problem with your file.

Attached is where I am currently at with the model. The bottle was a breeze with the follow-me tool. The part of the model that is giving me fits is the base. The front of the base at the top is curving in towards the bottle. The corners are all curved. I feel I have the proportions correct but here is where I could use some advice. I know this is possible, I just haven’t done it before.

Thanks,
Tim

water_dispenser.skp

Thanks, I’ll check both out.

@johnsenior1973 said:

This will probably be better.

Podium is easy to use but the more you get into it the better results. It’s like SU. It is easy to use but the more experienced you are with it the more you can do too. The free version is limiting as far as image size goes. I am just beginning with Podium myself but I am encouraged by what is possible.

@latetzki said:

@unknownuser said:

Biased: Podium (the free version has an output resolution limit)
Unbiased: Indigo
There's Kerkythea too (both biased and unbiased). Little harder too use.

So there is no easy one? I have tried Podium but it renders way too small pics, if remember right.

Try SU Podium http://www.suplugins.com/index.php?p=home. There is a fully functional free version that produces great results. And it works within SU. Just check their forum for some incredible renders. You are limited in the size of your exported image though. I started with the free version to check it out and ended up purchasing a license. It is well worth it.

Tim

@latetzki said:

Hello

I have been looking for good rendering plug-in for Sketchup for long time now, without any good result. So, it should be easy to use and free. Is there even that kind of plug-in's?

I don’t have a lot of experience modeling objects with curved surfaces and could use some advice on how to approach doing this. I am attaching a water dispenser I am trying to model. Using photomatch, I easily got the proportions for the base of the dispenser modeled but I don’t know how to model the curved surfaces. I am going to do some digging on my own but if someone can steer me in the right direction, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Tim

Dennis,

Thanks for clarifying. Sequential visualization helps me understand this concept better. I have Scott McCloud’s book that you reference as well as a couple of his other books. He gives a very thorough analysis of comics and I can see the connection wit mitigation now that you mention it. I actually heard him speak in Louisville a year or so ago. His PPT presentation was incredible. I have not heard of Edward Tufte but will check his books out. The first one that came up on Amazon was The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd edition. It received some good reviews.

And to Paul’s points, thanks for your comments too. Both responses help me see the nuances of this approach with SU.

Tim

@insitebuilders said:

Sorry for not pickg up on this thread sooner, we’re in final edits on a new book and just able to come up for air. So to speak.

IMHO SkUp for “mitigation” is more clearly understd when you thk of it as sequential visualization or forensic animations. The purpose of these models is to visually simulate a sequence of actions or activities that lead to a conclusion that supports the scope and goals of a client. IOW “to prove a point.” Big bucks are usually at stake – which puts a lot of pressure on the precision of the model.

These models differ from arch or piece-based construction models and are not as comprehensive as an engineering model. Instead, the models are built to animate an action or activity.

This makes SkUp the ideal prog b/c the Outliner, Layers, and Scenes can be used to manage sets of nested components representg phases, steps, or the timing of action in a series of scenes that can play forward and backward or jump to any location in the model that may be relevant to an argument (lawsuit).

I say this because it’s difficult work (and not always a lot of fun) which may not make it very popular as a thread. If interested tho, you should "read" Scott McCloud’s book Understdg Comics or any of Tuft’s books on visualizing info. For both 2D and 3D examples of these models you might also want to chk out any of our books on our website.

Hope that helps,

/Dennis

I personally haven’t used SU for these purposes but am curious how it can be utilized in other areas. For example, it can be used in depositions where liability for construction projects needs to be determined. Much like the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, a model can help the visualization process whether it is a construction project or say the scene of an accident. You could establish sight lines, obstructions etc.

I’m sure there would be other ways to use SU to communicate in depositions or trials. I wanted to throw this out to the community to see what possibilities they see.

Tim

@bcoleman001 said:

Tim,

How exactly do you use SU in mitigation? I guess I'm not familiar with "mitigation" to understand what you would use SU for, but I'd be interested to learn.

Just a quick note to say thanks for the B-day greeting yesterday when I visited the forums. It’s just another reminder why I enjoy this community.

Tim

Too bad, I had memories of my old Heath Kit days in 4-H. Could have been interesting.

@remus said:

Mike, there is definetly a clause in the OS X terms of use that says you cant install it on non apple hardware, doesnt stop people form trying though

I haven’t heard of that before but I will check it out.
Thanks

@mike lucey said:

Tim,

Have you thought about building a HackIntosh, could be fun!
Check out, Build a Hackintosh Mac for Under $800 at,
http://lifehacker.com/software/hack-attack/build-a-hackintosh-mac-for-under-800-321913.php

They measure up quite well against MacBook Pros. Not too
sure how kosher this is but I can't see anything wrong with
it as once Apple moved to Intel they opened the gates for
DIY. You still have to buy Leopard though. Mmmmm I wonder
does Leopard have a clause with regard to it use ... no
doubt it has, must look!

Mike