Driving Dimensions

[Dmitry Ushakov]

Hello everybody!

We have just released the version 0.3 of our Driving Dimensions plugin for Google SketchUp 6 and 7. Don't hesitate to test the new functionality during forthcoming season holidays: driving angles between arbitrary 3D edges, zero-valued distances and fixation constraints. We have also prepared several funny models with Driving Dimensions to let you enjoy the plugin. Please visit http://www.DrivingDimensions.com to download the new version.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[Gaieus]

Hi Dmitry and thanks for the heads-up!

Merry Christmas to you as well (although there's still two weeks until that )

[dtrarch]

Merry Christmas to you too Dmitry

Driving Dimensons is a real and special Christmas present and thank you.
A small one from the USA for all to enjoy.

dtr Architect
aka Dave #2

Christmas Star 2008-23.jpg

[Dmitry Ushakov]

Hello again!

We have noticed that some SketchUp users do not completely understand the added value of the Driving Dimensions plugin, since they use the built-in tools for dimension modification (Scale, Tape Measure, Dynamic Components). But the Driving Dimensions plugin really opens up new possibilities of parametric design in SketchUp. To overcome this misunderstanding, we have answered typical questions about Driving Dimensions and put the corresponding FAQ at our web site.

You are welcome to comment these questions or to ask additional ones!

[thomthom]

That FAQ look quite nice. I have to admit that I wasn't all to sure what the plugin was when I first heard about it and looked on the website.

[peweuk]

I saw this and thought it could be the answer to a particular parametric problem where lines of a component needed to be 'fixed' when scaling, but I am having a problem with it and hope someone can assist by telling me where I am going wrong.

Here is an image of an arched rail. The dimensions are shown for the total length of the rail and the 'driving dimensions'.

1.jpg

I then stretch it by a factor of 2, and it has stretched OK, and as expected has left the 'Driving Dimensions' in the original position.

2.jpg

BUT - when I fix the dimensions the panel is resized again to the inside position of the original Driving Dimensions (ie 100mm on either end) resulting in it being 200mm shorter overall, and 100mm along the X axis from its origin.

3.jpg

Any thoughts anyone??

[Gaieus]

Well, what it apparently does is that it derives those 100-100 cms from the ends not from the insides (further stretching the arch). Certainly diagnosing what happens is not a solution...

[Dmitry Ushakov]

Hello peweuk,

Thank you for this example!

BUT - when I fix the dimensions the panel is resized again to the inside position of the original Driving Dimensions (ie 100mm on either end) resulting in it being 200mm shorter overall, and 100mm along the X axis from its origin.

Any thoughts anyone??

What do you mean saying "I fix the dimensions"? If you selected the "Recalculate Model With Driving Dimension" tool

Dr_di_recalculate.gif

then the behavior is expected: after the stretch your driving dimensions are violated (the real distances are both equal to 200mm), so the model has to be updated to satisfy the value you set (100mm). If you don't want the overall dimension (1000mm) to be changed, just set it as a driving dimension. But please note that the arc itself won't be changed automatically, so the solution probably won't satisfy you. We plan to improve the arc/circle treatment in the forthcoming versions of our plugin.

[peweuk]

We plan to improve the arc/circle treatment in the forthcoming versions of our plugin.

That's good news.

One other question.

I have tried to set the 'Driving Dimensions' inside a component, but so far have not found a way to do this.

Is this possible and if so how do I do it.

[Dmitry Ushakov]

I have tried to set the 'Driving Dimensions' inside a component, but so far have not found a way to do this.

Is this possible and if so how do I do it.

No, it is not possible for the moment. Driving Dimensions are allowed only for ungrouped entities. But again, the support of components is in our 'todo' list. Thank you for this question - we will add it to the FAQ.

[peweuk]

But again, the support of components is in our 'todo' list.

Something else to look forward to.

Driving Dimensions inside Dynamic Components would be very powerful.

[Gaieus]

You can always "Save as" your component, work on it as a plain SU file then reload (well, I know, workaround... )

[Dmitry Ushakov]

Hello everybody!

Driving Dimensions version 0.4 was released today. This plugin for SketchUp 6/7 runs on Windows 2000/XP/Vista.
So what's new in 0.4?

• a new kind of driving dimensions: vertex-face distance,
• non-rigid arc curves,
• improved Undo functionality

Models with arcs (like one recently presented by peweuk in this thread) are now solved correctly: you can change any distance. As an example I give you an animated GIF with a triumphal arch - you can edit everything in this model with parameters.

TriumphalArch.gif

Find this and other sample models at http://drivingdimensions.com/SketchUp/samples.php.
Download Driving Dimensions 0.4 at http://drivingdimensions.com/SketchUp/download.php.
Read full press release at http://drivingdimensions.com/news.php?num=5.

Enjoy our plugin and feel free to share your comments or suggestions with us!

[MALAISE]

Small Post to thank you Dmitry to share that plugin quite useful

MALAISE

[xrok1]

I've been waiting for this since the first time I used sketckup!!!!!!!

THANKYOU

if i had 1 request it would be for equations eg. dim1=dim2/2 or dim1=dim2+dim3*2 etc... although the dimensions would need to be named for this to be possible; but then it would truly be THE #1 architectural/design plugin for Sketchup!!