AI can create a box from a text prompt and even show a completion message
Just like everyone else these days I have been trying out OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's Bing (which now also uses the same AI engine). One of my lines of exploration (beyond "what does this thing know about me?") was the question whether it can auto-generate SketchUp Ruby code. And - as it turns out - it can do that. Albeit with some caveats.
As a start, you can go to ChatGPT and (after signing up) ask a reasonably specific question like "Which Ruby code would draw a box in SketchUp?". That would spit out somewhat appropriate code that you can just paste into e.g. the Ruby Code Editor. Apparently the SketchUp API is part of its knowledge base and generating SketchUp-specific Ruby code is thus well within its grasp. You could even refine the query with a comment like "Isn't there a simpler way to do this?"...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu-8x8Y1dnw
In this tutorial I show how you can use my Scale By Tools SketchUp extension to create various designs for patterned panels. We start with sine and power equations and then use images to form intricate screen designs.
This video extends what I had covered in an earlier video, included here for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmvTROcPETY
I hope you are enjoying this tool. Let me know in the comments how you are using it.
...
First impression for all attendees
The SketchUp 3D Basecamp (and Bootcamp) user conference that just wrapped up its weeklong stay in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, is the latest in a series of bi-annual meetings. The organizers again chose an inspiring venue and the main difference with previous conferences was that the 2000 iteration never happened due to a well-known global event. Therefore, attendees were four years out from their last meetings and hence quite excited to see each other again.
Now, that is a pretty nice location for a conference!
Everyone who knows this city knows how nice the conference location in the convention center is (or is it "centre" - we are in Canada, after all). The only disruption came when cruise ships departed next door with their horns blaring.
I gave four talks on different topics at this conference. Below are the cover slides for those. When I get back home, I'll post more here about various details that I just didn't...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2W0bKW8guM
In this tutorial I cover several approaches and techniques for creating 3D-printable pendants from SketchUp. This includes designs that need to be hanging in the balance (for pendants, earrings, mobile elements, etc.) as well as those with multiple support points (e.g. for name necklaces).
The extensions and websites that I mention in the video are:
Shapeways 3D printingFace Centroid and Area Properties ExtensionSolid Inspector extension
Did you design anything with this approach? Share it below in the comments.
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHuqTEaOtI0
In this tutorial I use the example of a large wind turbine array to show how useful my Random Tools extension for SketchUp can be in making things look more realistic - by rotating turbine blades in this case.
Steps
The three main steps to prepare a component for use with SketchUp's Random Tools extension are also illustrated below. For this example it is best to use a component, not a group. As I show in the video, grouping the rotor blades will not allow the extension to properly place its center at the rotation axis. Therefore, start by selecting the rotor blades and the axle and using the "Make Component" tool. In the Make Component tool, we then need to place its axis at the center of rotation. Click the "Set Component Axis" button and then place the axis as shown below. Now you can use the "Randomize Objects" tool from the Random Tools extension to rotate the blades...
