Alex Schreyer's Blog, Projects, Books, and More
Have you ever modeled something in SketchUp only to find you had an arbitrarily oriented face where you would have killed to have it laid flat on the ground? I was there (and so were my students), so I re-used some code I had and packaged it as a plugin. You can read about it and […] Read more..
This extension allows the user to do three things: Unwraps non-coplanar faces (any shape objects, shells etc.) using an automatic (randomized) algorithm and then lays the resulting set of faces flat on the ground. This is done without creating any distortions. Lays any arbitrarily-oriented face or collection of coplanar faces flat on the ground (without distortion). Use e.g. in combination with a manual unfold tool or to make sure faces are perfectly horizontal. Projects a set of faces to one of the three main planes by smashing all faces flat. This creates distortions, of course.
Arguably the most important feature in the Pro version of SketchUp has been the included documentation software, LayOut. While SketchUp itself is great for modeling and “inline” documentation (dimensions and floating leader text), once you need to properly document your work on a sheet of paper with a textblock around it, you are hitting a […] Read more..
While Santa is getting settled in his new abode (looks like there is still some construction to do), it is time for me to wish you all wonderful holidays, a relaxing time with your family and friends and all the best for the new year! I hope to meet you, see you, email you or […] Read more..
The annual SketchUp user conference has just been announced by Trimble for 2014. It will be: In Vail, CO During skiing season Amazing!!! For more on this, check out their announcement. Registration opens in November. Official SketchUp Blog: Announcing SketchUp 3D Basecamp 2014
When it comes to learning construction methods and systems (and, of course, the related materials), it is crucial for a student to understand how things fit together. Every construction system is an assembly of subparts (e.g. beams, bolts, decking) and often a layering based on various functional requirements (e.g. air barrier, insulation, structural sheathing,…). This […] Read more..
In case you heard me complain on Google+ about the fact that I apparently am last in queue for Google’s mysteriously-timed Android updates: I finally got it (on my Nexus 4)! Yay! As you may know, one of the improvements in Android 4.3 is better WebGL support. So one of the first things I did […] Read more..