Demo of component finder, a new sketchup extension

This exclusive sketchup video tutorial provides the demonstration of a new sketchup extension called Component Finder. This extension can simplify the process to view and import components inside sketchup.

The tutorial video focuses on the following topics :- How to set up Component Finder, Navigate 3D Models, Add a component, Save a component, Rename a component, Update a component.

The extension contains the following exclusive features :-

Quickly filter through your local Sketchup components library, and find the components you need. Just a click away, all within Sketchup.

Enhanced Browsing: Now, it is possible to view all the components in a folder, it's sub-folders as well as in their sub-folders all in one view.

View your components in each tab in best possible manner

Flat View: Avail the components in the present folder and in all of it's sub-folders, and their sub-folders... (5 levels deep).

Nav View: The recognizable browsing view of folders and components. It is ideal for navigating and focusing on a specific folder.

Powerful Search: Type in with your search term, and ComponentFinder will filter through all of your tabs and the components in them unless you get your desired result.

Zoom In / Out: View bigger or smaller component thumbnails.

Save Components: After arranging some components into a model, if any modifications take place, one can save them right back into any open tab.

To get more information, go through the following link flextools.cc/componentfinder

Open multiple tabs at once: Choose numerous folders from your local library and include them simultaneously as separate tabs in ComponentFinder.

FlexTools Integration: ComponentFinder operates on top of the FlexTools platform. Same toolbar. Same settings location. Automatic updates when available.

Watch the following video for live demonstration.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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VBO Piping – The newest sketchup extension

VBO Solutions develop VBO Piping, a useful sketchup extension that generates pipes from edges in selected groups/components as well as includes fittings to vertices.

It has the capability to update after edit the source (group/component of edges), and replace/edit the fittings, size etc.

The plugin supports SketchUp 2017, SketchUp 2018.

Application:

- "Create Pipes Branch": All inside edges of selected group(s)/component(s) will be converted to pipe with options (collection, size, type of ending fitting and continue fitting) and are chosen in an input box.

- "Branches modifier": It refers to a tool that facilitates to edit fitting. The user will be able to rotate, replace fittings by hand, add/replace & reduce bush, redraw branch(es). Besides, specify name and add color to any branch(es).

- "2D/3D": A rapid changing for showing the branches in 2D/3D view, stand on turn on/off the layers "8_mep_piping2D" and "8_mep_piping3D".

- Double click (Edit Group/Component) to a branch will facilitate the user to edit the source edges and vertices. The branch will be updated to it's "settings" as soon as the Group/Component editing will be finished by the users.

- Can generate a BOM (Bill Of Materials) of pipes and fitting by applying preset "PIPING" in VBO_Schedule Plugin.

To download the plugin, visit the extension warehouse extensions.sketchup.com

For more clarification, watch the following video tutorial.



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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Unwrapping and Unfolding in SketchUp

In designing, unfolding is definitely a critical process that must be done attentively. Every edge should match with the design you are unfolding; else, you will never get the desired result. No matter whether you are unfolding on a paper or a metal sheet, you have to follow certain tactics to make this job done creatively.

With SketchUp, you will get the easiest and the best option to unwrap any design of your choice. The Unwrap and Flatten faces Extension is solely designed to provide you with innumerable options to do your job as an expert designer. While the basic steps remain same for both digital users and practical experts, other methods are completely different from each other. You need to unfold the shapes and keep them flat for cutting. The tool for the SketchUp user sometimes unfolds shapes automatically. The content discusses how to unwrap complex objects on SketchUp.

Face Orientation:

SketchUp has two different face sides – front and back. The front portion is universally colored in white. The unfolding process has been done by folding one face that correctly aligned with the face of the other site. It depends on the face orientation matter. For getting an accurate result, all faces should be aligned matching with each other. If the design contains different face orientations, then the unfolding process needs complex steps to go through. Proper analyzing, in this respect, is an important thing to get the best result. Matching the front orientation is important in this case. With SketchUp tool, you can different face orientation with the ‘reserve face’ option.

Developable Surfaces:

Unfolding for developable shapes is not an easy task as designers need to deal with the completed surfaces to flat the shape first. In a knowing term, objects with flat surfaces give you the freedom to unfold the design. The double-curved objects are hard to unwrap in SketchUp, and this case, a special attention must be taken. The designing suggestion tells you that always choose the part of complex objects which cannot be unfolded in a regular way. Separate that part from the rest and unfold it in a general way.

Double curved spaces and material stretch:

Designers find a great amount of difficulty to complete unfolding project of double curved objects and material stretched objects. Generally, double-curved objects are unwrapped in stripes. Those stripes are unfolded following specific rules and regulations. But if the object you are working on is made of stretchable materials, you need to adopt a different procedure to get your job done.

Material thickness:

The thickness of the material also comes in between unfolding an object in the SketchUp. The flat cut out portion must match with each other in terms of thickness and sizes when they are joined. The flattened shapes do not require much attention to be joined as they match perfectly if the cut is accurate.

TABS:

Many a time, designers are asked to create overlapped edges for glue tabs. In this case, you need to overcut the flattened shapes. The Flattery extension will be helpful in to get your result as you expect.

There are few things that will help you to unfold and unwrap an object on SketchUp. The topic includes many sub parts and discussing them in one document would not be possible for any one. So I am mentioning a few links that will give an in-depth idea about unfolding objects.

Article Source: extensions.sketchup.com

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.sketchup4architect.com
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How to Make a Hole in a SketchUp Model

SketchUp seems to be the easiest platform in 3D designing with easy-to-learn tools and features. Still, users sometimes stumble with issues in their designing. Putting a hole in SketchUp model remains in the query list of designers always. Though many SketchUp forums discuss the topic with a great interest, designers feel blank why they fail to draw holes in their models. The content brings out some interesting ways with which one can simply solve the problems. The ways mentioned here are suggested by users themselves as no one can understand your problem better than them. Information singularly presented how to put a hole in a SketchUp model.

Tips required drawing a hole in SketchUp model:

• Push/pull tool is designed to perform the work we are talking about. You have to know how to use the tool to drill a hole into a model. To draw a hole in your design, you must select a shape of the hole and choose push/pull tool. Push the shape area until the pop-up menu shows On Face. If the hole is not enough deep, the model does not create the feature in question.

The picture above shows that it pushes the shape to the face of the design.

• You need to have a perfect square wall for this feature. If you do not have the same, the application will not work.
• The circle that you want to make a hole in must be attached with the model. You can simply follow the steps: Draw surface > Draw a circle on surface > delete circle inside > Push Pull the rest of the surface. One thing you must ensure that the circle must be attached to the surface. Otherwise, the push/pull function will not work. To create a hole in a solid model, you need to draw a circle > ensure the circle is attached to the surface > push pull to the back of the face.

To check the circle whether it is attached or not, you need to move the circle after it is drawn. If other geometries move along with the circle, then it is attached to the surface.

For video tutorial:

Drilling a hole correctly is not a completed thing of SketchUp. If your design follows the right measurements, you should not have to be worried about using any functions SketchUp is offering to you. The above-mentioned information is described for those who face the similar problems.

Read more

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.sketchup4architect.com

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