Posts made by vizier

1. Is there a way to select something then move it along one axis only? A lot of time i just want to change the elevation of an object and the move tool is clunky for that.

2. If I export a SU file and open in in one of the rendering programs can I expect higher quality renders right away or will I have to redesign my models to take advantage of the better rendering engine?

1. Are there any downloadable shortcut key definitions files out there? In Photoshop theres a bunch of them where people have revamped the whole shortcut key system for the better and Im hoping SU has the same thing.

2. Is there a way to completely turn off all snapping actions? If so can it be mapped to a hotkey?

Thats a really good question I would like to know the answer as well.

Though im not doing the gaming idea now I will likely go with Lightup for the ability to do so in future sometime. THanks again!

@remus said:

Once youve got all that isntalled you first need to check its turned on in the extensions index: windows->preferences->extensions, then check the box that says 'fredoscale.'

You then need to turn the toolbar on, you do that by going view->toolbars than selecting 'fredoscale.'

Then you can bend and twist away to your hearts deisre

That did it! THanks a ton...tools are so nice. They really should have an install instuctions file with those things but oh well im using them fine now so I no longer care keke.

Most of the plugin in the must have sticky dont come with installation instructions. Is there a process that everyone knows so well now that they just take for granted? I cant seem to get these plugins to works and it sucks because some of them I coul dreally use like right now.

I dled and installed the FredoScale plugin and followed the instructions. I have 2 files and 2 subdirectories named like it shows in the read me but I cant see a fredoscale tool bar. Do I have to start the ruby console somehow?

Chris - OMG that guys work is amazingly and unbelievably awesome. Thats way out of my league sadly The good news is my Dr. Suess models are just fine for what I use them for so even a small bit of help here and there will go a long way.

As far as rendering proggies goes assume price is no object: WHat is the easiest one to use?

Hi all. I am working on a SU project with a somewhat unique setting. Picture a middle eastern city during the crusades time period and that something close to what I am going for here. (The real setting is Dark Sun if any fellow mega nerds out there care.)

Anyways I am going to post some shots of what im working on. I would very much like some advice on how to make the buildings less boring. I made the buildings early on in the project and I am now wishing I had spent more time on them. Can anyone link some other SU projects that could give me some inspiration. PLease keep in mind I am a total noob (as my screenshots will indicate). My saving grace here is that I am very good in Photoshop and I can dress up some pretty shoddy SU projects a bit.

Blah blah blah its easier just to show you so heres some links:

http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/City%20of%20Tyr%20back%20drop%203.jpg
http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/City%20of%20Tyr%20battle%20map%20Finalweb.jpg
http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/City%20of%20Tyr%20back%20drop%202.jpg
http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/Elven%20Market%20v2.jpg

@gaieus said:

@vizier said:

I downloaded a few of them but what do I do when it asks me to replace the file? ie some of them are named the same thing. Is it safe to rename them?

What do you men by "replace"? Where do you download them?

To the plugins folder (after unzipping)

I downloaded a few of them but what do I do when it asks me to replace the file? ie some of them are named the same thing. Is it safe to rename them?

That said theres obviously a huge amount of useful things that can be done with these plugins. I cant wait to get the technical stuff figured out so I can start learning the new tools.

Thanks a ton you guys that helped a LOT!!!

@Gaieus- The reason I want to hide / delete hidden geometry is to reduce the amount of polys the comp has to draw ie make it run faster.

@Remus- The Ruby plugins look amazingly useful and cool but the fourm seems like it was made for experts. Is there a Ruby noob friendly quickstart thread?

That sword looks so awesome...how the heck do you get SU to render in such hi res? When i render something it looks like something out of a Dr. Suess book...

example:

http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/Elven%20Market%20Newest%20shadows.jpg

PS: Im going to use that sword in one of my backdrops for a DnD campaign so thanks!

Hi all! I'm somewhat new to sketchup and I have a few questions that I couldnt find any easy answer for on this forum:

1. Is there a "flip horizontal / vertical" tool or command in SU? Rotate is cool but flip is not exactly the same thing...
2. I sometimes get a ton of textures embedded into a SU project that I end up not using. Is there a way to have SU delete all unsused textures form the file?
3. How can you tell the difference between textures that are actually being used and ones that were used in the past but are now deleted?
4. Is there a way to easily delete hidden objects? Or to hide them?
5. How do I change the angle of the light source that creates the shadows? Are there any light source / shadow options?
6. How do I change the background colors and sky colors?
7. What is the one big advantage of using SU Pro? I love this program so much I would pay for it if there were a good reason to...

I have many other questions but 1, 3 and 5 are my biggest priorities. Thanks a ton in advance for the help and thanks for having such a great site.

I guess those links are what I was looking for. I just dont really understand how to use non tilable textures. How do you tell your model to stretch the texture instead of tiling it? Can anyone recommend a good stone / wood / sand texture for the links I posted above?

Hi all. Im somewhat new to SU but im a fast learner and as you already know SU is very easy to use. So Ive got a good handle on modeling, at least for what I use SU for, but IM not really great at texturing. Here are a few maps and back drops I use in my game. What I am looking for is recommendations for better textures and maybe a link to a tutorial on how to properly use textures.

I want to give my buildings better looking stones, and I want the ground to be more realistic as well. Are there any compilation texture packs that would be useful here?

Back drops:
http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/Elven%20Market%20Newest%20shadows.jpg
http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/City%20of%20Tyr%20back%20drop%202.jpg

Top down maps:
http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/City%20of%20Tyr%20test%202.jpg
http://www.wiijii.com/vizier50/DnD%20files/Maps/Eru's%20Rest.jpg

Well I figured it out by myself...theres a little options button in the export dialog box that I never saw before. Now that I have found that I can now really start using sketchup for my maps and scene backdrops (for D&D games).

Wait a second...I have been "exporting" my large images in bits and pieces then pasting them together (poorly) in photoshop. How the heck do you get SU to export more than what is currently being displayed in the window???