Pat Beam

Hey Daniel – I have a quick (hopefully) question. I tried to create a shade structure, but I can’t seem to figure out how to control the direction the fabric is taking. On the attached SU file, I would like the fabric to have a downward curve (showing the gravity) and instead I have an upward curve. Is there a quick way of changing the curve……[Read more]

Thanks Tim and Cynthia. Next webinar will really get into strategic thinking about perspectives and drawing composition – my favorites! I’ll cook up some more video clips and hopefully control the camera focus a bit more than in last night’s program.

Webinar was really great – nice mix of refresher and new info. So helpful to keep up to date on materials and processes and see through Jim’s crystal ball into the future.

Great webinar last night, Jim!  Looking forward to part 2 next week!

Hello all.. Any plant buffs out there have experience with Panicum virgatum ‘heavy metal’ or ‘Northwind’ in the SF bay area?  Based on the zone specs it should be fine but my broker hasn’t sold too many of them and couldn’t comment on how they perform in the area… any help would be appreciated.

Hey Dave. One way would be to map appropriate landform/vegetation/sky images to a curved background similar to these at SCF. You could also do a search for sky dome at SCF or in the 3D Warehouse. If you intend to fly right up to the edge of the TIN, you might also need to extend the surface out a ways to meet at the image. By matching the…[Read more]

I am working on an animated fly-through of an airport. I have a tin of the actual terrain and have added my 3D model of the airport to the tin. My question for the group is, what do I do to eliminate “the earth is flat” look of my animation. My terrain tin extends in a two mile radius from the airport. I thought about putting a sky/horizon image…[Read more]

You could also try the Shapebender script by Chris Fullmer. It can be a little complicated to figure out at first, but once you understand what it’s doing, it becomes pretty easy to manipulate. Chris has produced several videos (also posted at the above link) that help explain. If you have questions after watching those I’ll do my best to help.

Thanks Guys 🙂
@ John,  its an iron fence from 3D warehouse, so not too many segments to it.
@ Daniel, hi ya!   Yes, I did some what follow the book and downloaded the Path copy, but it did not work at all after several tries…..hmmm maybe I did not do it right cause it clump them together, but not on the arc.  I will email you.
 
thanks guys! 

Fences can be a material (an image applied to a curved surface in your case) or a component which would have segments.  I am not sure which is best for your project.  You may consider extruding your curved shape as a volume, then deleting everything but the wall in order to place the fence material on a curved surface.  The fencing materials ar…[Read more]

Hi,  I am trying to figure out how to apply a fence along an arc path, but cannot for the life of me find anything on it. I tried googling it and looked in the site design book, but nothing. the rotating tool does not work great for an arc line, I don’t think.  Its like I have to bend the fence to fit it along the arc, but do not know how…..help!
thanks

That’s great. Thank you! I’ve got your book, but I couldn’t find that one in there, shame on me if it was there..too tired! Thanks again.

Yes that was it!!! it works. Too bad there is no list of all these shortcuts, that would help a LOT. Thank you so much.

Not a bad question to ask at all.  The easiest way is to select an item with the black arrow key [or hit spacebar]. Then click the Move tool which has arrows in all directions and can be found in the Large Tool Set or the Getting Started Toolbar [or hit M on the keyboard].  After the item is highlighted and you have the Move tool selected, hol…[Read more]

Hi. I know it might sound stupid, but I still couldn’t figure out how you drag a copy in SketchUp. I can’t find any Move/Copy tool. 🙁 Hope someone can help.
Thanks.

Thanks for the help.

Does the area obstructed show up in the image after capturing? I have had it look like it was clipped, and then after saving the view for the animation it worked.

Eric, I’ll try and help but I need some more info. It might be that you’re experiencing a known “clipping” problem. That usually occurs when your model is located really far from the origin. Is that the case? Does the problem occur in all the time, or just in certain scenes? Could you repost the image from a different vantage point with the axis…[Read more]

I am having issues with an aerial view of a site I’m trying to create a fly through for.  When I position the camera, some of the area is obstructed like there is a plane in from of part of the view.  Any suggestions?

Hey John,
Your blog looks great!  We’ve added it to our blog roll.  Keep up the good work…