Each camera has also following properties not available from Ruby:

bool FieldOfViewIsHeight - whether FieldOfView is measured in the y direction

bool Camera2D - whether a camera is 2D or not
Center2D - 2D Point - center of a camera in 2p perspective mode
Scale2D - double - scale (zoom-in/out) for 2p perspective view

@jbacus said:

This stuff is difficult to understand. I don't think we're beating a dead horse if there are still misconceptions floating around the community about the real benefits of 64bit computing.

The 64bit version is crucial for all rendering engines that are truly integrated DLLs into SketchUp and talk with it through SketchUp C++ SDK.

We would love to see extremely complex models rendered directly Inside SketchUp, but there is a limit how much one can fit into 32bit memory range, regardless how efficient instancing or other memory optimizations related to displacement,relight,repaint,etc. are in a rendering engine.

SketchUp wouldn't necessarily have to display such a complex content. This is being addressed by proxy systems already present in several rendering applications. Unfortunately those really integrated are choking at some point.

The 64 bit solution would also require a "real" SketchUp SDK, not only a way to export or read SKP files. This is very unfortunate that we developers have to "break" into SketchUp through a use of undocumented Ruby methods and a creation of Ruby extensions.

A company in Japan has come up with a new way of demolishing high-rise buildings in densely built-up areas, as an alternative to using wrecking balls or explosives.

With this method they even generate electricity for tools they use!

Japan's incredible shrinking building - YouTube

[flash=576,324:1icd4084]http://www.youtube.com/v/rlsMWEZ6qlI[/flash:1icd4084]

@xrok1 said:

good till u get mud or something stuck in there and your balance is thrown off!

Kids from a neighborhood would love to help you get the balance "right" with few stones.

@unknownuser said:

i think you're looking for the .plist file on mac instead.. in which case, it's at
user/ Library/ Preferences/ com.google.sketchuppro8.plist (or whatever SU version)

Thanks. Have fount it. Everything is written fine there!
It is the read method that doesn't convert it back to UTF8, I guess.

Btw. I have found MainFrame_M2Upgrade Boolean entry (switched off)

@adamb said:

Why don't you just escape it:
Save it as Sketchup.write_default("MySettings","MyKey", "Błąd".unpack('H')[0])*

Load it as Sketchup.read_default("MySettings","MyKey").to_a.pack('H')*

Tadaa!

Thanks. You are right.
I was thinking of reading the file from C++, but it is too much to find the right one. Old Ruby way will work better.

I will report the bug.

I have a problem with storing UTF-8 string into "default settings" on Mac.

` Sketchup.read_default("MySettings","MyKey")

nil
Sketchup.write_default("MySettings","MyKey","Test")
true
Sketchup.read_default("MySettings","MyKey")
Test
Sketchup.write_default("MySettings","MyKey","Błąd")
true!
Sketchup.read_default("MySettings","MyKey")
nil!!`

Is there any encoding that would let me store the UTF8 string into the default settings on Mac?
Where can I locate the ini file SketchUp stores the data?

Thanks
Tomasz

Welcome to the SketchUcation forum.

It is not welcomed to use whole words in Capital letters in your posts, not mentioning message headers. It is being read as shouting.

You are trying to save the .kst file in a location SketchUp Ruby cannot save (it doesn't have permission).

Error; #<Errno;;EACCES; Permission denied - porta aire.xml>

Try saving in a different location, your are sure you have full access to. You don't have to specify the extension.

You cannot select a file type in the save dialog, because Ruby API doesn't work as it should.

I would recommend registering in Kerkythea forum. You will get very accurate and fast response there to you KT related questions.

You may try Thea Render. It fits your requirements extremely well.

Here is a link to a part of Thea's Gallery related to product design.

Thea has very flexible material layering system:

Here is an example of a shiny plastic using sub-surface scattering:

An one of my favorite examples:

Current beta discount price for 'Thea for SketchUp' bundle including the integrated plugin, standalone studio with 2 rendering nodes is just 320 euro, which is very close to your threshold.

Thea offers both Unbiased and Biased rendering modes. With an upcoming GPU support shown in a trailer, in my opinion, it is best value for the money invested.

You can save to *.pack.thea from the main rendering window - first "save" icon.
You can do it also from Thea Tool/Tools/Save Thea scene.
Total time of rendering and autosave are not available yet.

@jo-ke said:

Is it possible to use displacement in thea?

Yes, you can use displacement in Thea.

@jo-ke said:

Is it possible to run thea2su on two machines with the same license?

A single copy of the program may be installed and used by you, on one machine. You can install the application on up to two more machines, provided that the plugin is not used or executed simultaneously on any machines. If you wish to install the Software or use the Software concurrently on additional machines you must purchase additional licenses.

You can try the demo and play with your models. This way you will quickly discover whether the plugin suits your needs.

With "Thea for SketchUp" you can use provided or create your own libraries of heavy objects like trees, cars and insert them into SketchUp as proxies. This way you will tremendously reduce the size of SketchUp model, while your rendering will be using high quality originals.

Thea Studio works in 64bit environment, so there is no limit of available memory, if you decide to bring your model into the Studio for further improvements.

@mike lucey said:

If you mean 'saturated' as in a lot of colour, maybe we could look into that.
Yes. They could be not that dominant. At the moment those look like virus warnings.

One-Line adverts distract me more then the banners. I hate reading a thread and tripping over a completely unrelated message.
Just installed AdBlock to see what it is all about. Those polite requests are too ...well.. saturated?

I have tried it.
It is cheaper than 3D printing.
Here is a model in SU and an assembled model. I have received a quotation for 3D printing - ca. 200e. I decided to lower the cost and remodeled the contraption for being cut it in 2mm acrylic. I have paid ca 20e for material & cutting.

The smell is awful. I have had to keep the cut parts outside my apartment for a day, just to let it vent well. Other than that - it is a lot of fun to assemble your own design

It was a prototype of a motor. It is not shown complete here, just the external envelope. There was an inner acrylic shaft with a rotor assembly, plus those fancy triangular finishes visible in SU model.

@cotty said:

maybe for your render engine there is a similar possibility like this?

Yes, there is:

In general it is better to apply all textures inside SketchUp.

If you have to do it in Thea Studio, then use cubic mapping for the piece of the model you have applied the new material (Tools/Transform Tool/Mapping Icon/Cubic).

I suggest you checking new integrated Thea for SketchUp!

We have just updated the plugin with a fix for Windows XP systems and localized SketchUp versions. There are also some improvements with editing and reseting Thea material back to a default state. We highly recommend you to install the new revision.

@mike lucey said:

I think things might change a little if the smaller companies at least put some faces behind their software. I think if intending pirates actually saw the developers they might have second thoughts.

Wishful thinking Mike!
Piracy is brutal. Do you think this Chinese girl would bother to think who is behind a software company? A program is just a folder with files for her.

This is a good place to ask, but more appropriate would be Developers section.