I have created a large number of walls in 3D, which I need to convert back to 2D images. When I use the extrude tool to reduce them down, the wall disappears. Obviously, this is great if you're undoing walls, but I want to reduce the height to 'zero', while retaining the outline in plan. Is there a way to do this?

Thanks Majid, very generous indeed.

Warren Rempel

Durante, you are truly, the Tom Waits of SketchUp, or of this forum at least!!

In honor of your road trip, the Lyrics from Waits' "I'll Be Gone":

Tonight I'll shave the mountain
I'll cut the hearts from pharoahs
I pull the road off of the rise
tear the memories from my eyes
and in the morning I'll be gone
I drink 1000 shipwrecks
tonight I'll steal your paychecks
I paint the sheets across my bed
the birds will all fly from my head
and in the morning I'll be gone
take every dream that's breathing
find every boot that's leaving
shoot all the lights in the cafe
and in the morning I'll be gone
I bet 1000 dollars
I have a french companion
I tie myself below the deck
I pull the rope around my neck
and in the morning I'll be gone
it takes a life to win her
there is a drum of bourbon
800 pounds of nitro
his boots are thunder as he plays
there is a stone inside it
tonight his bones will ride it
I'll need a tent to hide it
and in the morning I'll be gone

Nicely done!! I love the final image; what a great metaphor for a 'green roof'. In fact, I think the 'topography' you've developed is perfect for the green roof application (if you can make the drainage work), because it makes the green roof visible. The problem with a lot of green roofs now is that, being essentially flat, the beauty of the roof is missed by everyone on the ground.

Warren

I was intrigued by these, seemingly miraculous, potential sources of what, on the surface at least, appears to be free energy. I also hope that they are what they claim, and are not torpedoed by the existing corporate power structure.

That said, before we begin rolling out conspiracy theories and blaming corporation for squelching new ideas, (justified though our suspicions may be), I think we need to seriously examine and even question these claims of "free energy".

As for the Steorn concept, their claim that there is a net gain of energy seems a little false to me. They are clearly ignoring the energy that is stored in the magnets. Their system, while it might eventually result in a great, non-fossil fuel-reliant engine some day (I hope), is not really based on "free" energy. Those magnets aren't found lying around in heaps, pre-manufactured, free for the taking. They must be manufactured and that takes what.... energy. The magnetic force (energy) stored in them doesn't come from nowhere. Once you factor in the energy cost of producing these magnets, the free energy equation shifts dramatically. I say prusue the idea, try to make it work, just don't call it "free" yet.

I also watched the video of the man who very sincerely believes to have found a new, "free", or at least very cheap, source of fuel in burning salt water. This is another fantastic discovery in and of itself. However, although salt water is certainly cheap and abundant, in the video I saw at least, nobody seems to have taken into account the cost of generating the radio waves that make the release of hydrogen from the salt water possible! (Duh!) Not only will one need this salt water burning engine, but also a radio wave generator, which, based on my limited understanding, consumes significant quantities of energy. Does this make it unworthy of study? No. Does it change the energy calculation? By all means. It might still be a great new source of energy, but it's no "miracle cure".

Again, I hope as fervently as anyone else that we will live, and the planet will survive, to see the day when we have free (or very cheap) abundant, non-polluting energy. I would also dearly love to see the current fossil fuel-based energy corporate structure die a painful, but hasty death. However, we can't let ourselves be seduced into ignoring the basic laws of physics or abandoning our sense of reason and, yes, skepicism of these new ideas. Of course they must be given a chance to prove themselves, but "prove themselves" they must!

Happy Canada Day and Happy 4th of July!!

Warren

That's incredible technology. The possibilities could be endless!!

Warren

Very funny! Very clever animation.
I loved the innovative use of all the icons from the animation 'window'.

Thanks for posting it!

Warren

Gorgeous trees!!

Thanks very much.

Warren Rempel

Thank you!!
These will come in handy.
I especially appreciate the 'construction' layer you've included to assist in positioning.

Warren

I'll add my voice to the chorus of praise for your work and your generosity in sharing.

Warren