Thanks, mptak. I've got it working! In case anybody else needs to do it, here's the model of the weight falling. ControlledDrop1.skp

Here'a another clock simulation that works (mostly): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlwAsxMtGno The model is in the 3DWH at:http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=3daed4d60664406ecffc164bf5e00c8f

[image: OuoI_HiddenGeometry.jpg]Hi mptak, It's the hidden geometry in the track elements that is set to Box. These are the parts that are in contact with the floor.

First I drew the two spirals 180 degrees out of phase and superimposed them on a central cylinder. Then I selected the band on the cylinder between the two spirals. Next I selected the other band moved it away from the original cylinder and scaled it down to 90% in both horizontal directions and put it back into the original position. Using one side of each of the spirals, I built a box that fit the two curves. I made the box into a component and set the Shape to ConvexHull. I then copied the component 31 times and lined them up to make a 3D spiral.

@mptak said: Cool beans! I'm glad to see that others are struggling with all this and sticking with Sketchy Physics. I'm by far not an expert but have picked up a thing or two. Your model looks great but I fear that the base cylinder around which your screw is attached may not be being read as a cylinder. It tends to cease a bit on me and I would guess that the large wheel is correctly modeled. Once I get it spinning I'll try to do some of the movie capture I have been playing with and share it back to you. Mr. K provides a great script to enable good capture. I'll look forward to it!!

Just in case anybody else is having problems with this, I found out something else: Even if the Upload button is gray, after I've filled in all the boxes, I go back to the Title box, click in it and hit the return key. Presto, the Upload button turns black and the upload works. Tom

This is amazing- just what I need to learn how to do. I looked at the Users guide but I am not finding how save the changes back to a SU file- I am guessing you save bak into the kmz file then open that? Still fiddling with it..

I used to work for the Windows Firewall team in my previous job. I guess I had an advantage on this one, it sounded very familiar to me. I am glad it worked. Simone.

Be aware of and very careful about georeferencing in SU 7. Whenever it is turned on and you take a GE snapshot, it won't be overridden by the snapshot and you may end up with it miles away from the SU origin and with a floating model upon GE export. Have a look at the attached image; At the bottom left there is the "Georeferencing" button. It should read as "Off" when you are modeling far away from your default or custom location. The safest would be to save your default template with georeferencing turned off. [image: aY7A_ScreenShot003.jpg]

Thanks, Pilou, I tried the Ruby on a couple of the stones in the model and it looks like it will work pretty well. I may have to experiment a bit to get it just right. Thanks again, Tom

It's true that you can only insert models to your GE plugin from the WH so I understand this part of the problem. But again, if you just export the kmz file, you can see it in GE (although not on a website) and only upload it when you are ready.

I would really like to revive this topic if someone is interested... (Me yes)

Thanks Wyatt. Appreciate the input. Tom

You could also try turning on hidden geometry and then painting the faces with the same texture, but rotated around. This would keep the irregular geometry of the bowl, as well.

Thanx, John, I wonder how big a computer you need for that... and what kind of budget!! Tom

James, OK, I did some with 1 iteration. That results in a much lower poly count. Thanks again, Tom

Thanks, Remus. That was very clear. Tom

OK, I've now got the Subdevide-Smooth tools. It will take me a little while to learn the moves, but this is real progress. Once I get closer to a final model for Stonehenge, I'll start a new thread to let you know how it's going. Thanks to you all for your help. Solo, Isn't it the middle of the night in Dallas? Tom

Tom Thanks for the lower poly model, it will look good from higher viewpoints. Its horses for courses. 1 Very close in - model individual tiles/slates 2 Low angle (medium distance) - use modelled roof (ie mine) 3 higher angle (medium distance to infinity (and beyond!)) - use material only This has got me re-thinking roofs, as you have now modelled the eaves boxing etc. why not take another step and also model the gutter. I keep adding gutters seperately and modelling them into this component will save time (I may also model the brackets while I'm at it!) David