Inserting Sketchup Designs

[garystan]

    As a a challenge (to myself), I made a Solarium in Sketchup. Saved it as a
    .skp file.     In sketchup, I simulated glass in the cutouts (for the windows).
        I'ts nothing fancy, but it'll work.
        What category do I use to get this into FTP 15 ?
        I know there's a section of the catalog where it lists all the "building" items,
     for the construction of the house.    When I clicked on the BUILDING tab, then
     the WINDOWS button, and see the catalog.    I tried clicking on ADD ELEMENT,
     but just got the existing window(s) that are already in the catalog.    Whereas
     with the other sections of the catalog(s), when I click on ADD ELEMENT,  the
     dialog box opens where I can select where to "add" the  item FROM.   Which is
     my hard drive.
         I DID succeed in adding to my new project, but I couldn't get it into one of
     the catalog sections.  Then, of course SAVE the catalog.
         Any advice ?    Let me know what I'm doing wrong.          garystan

[garystan]

    PS :

               I did the  OBJECT WIZARD routine.  And, this time,  I imported it as
               an EXTERIOR ACCESSARY.   Just had to do some adjustments (height,
               width, etc.........) .      Seems okay.
                     I DID forget to put a flooring section in  (when I working in
               Sketchup.    So, I put a deck on the short end of the house, and placed
               the Solarium on top of that.
                   In my last message,  I stated that this Solarium isn't the greatest
              even though it IS functional.   But it works.
                   The main reason I didn't just import it from 3D Warehouse, is that
              this was kind of a challenge to myself.   Just to see if I could do it.
                    Anyway.........................................................

                                                                                            garystan

[Doug.S]

I have not done one in a long time but sorta remember 4 key points:

- for some bug reason, imports only come in to a couple places...interior accessories seems to work all the time....and importing lights (not .bim files as I think they work OK) used to have a problem that the "lite" did not ever work...so had to insert a red box bulb to make them work.

- Sometimes items are hard to find....so be sure to name and remember key words as you can now "search" the catalog pretty well....tho search does not always work to find everything

- "inserting" can be done 2 ways....insert object onto plan....but then be sure to save the item to the catalog.  Other way is to import item directly to catalog using wizard, then retrieve item from catalog to place in plan.  Be sure to save/OK changes to catalog when you close program.....another reason to always make a backup to catalog occasionally...to reset to original or to get your own data...in event a saved catalog gets corrupt and needs file reset...happens infrequently but backup helps a lot.

- when importing/saving to catalog...be sure to get the size correct from the start or you will re-size every time you place object in floorplan.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Garystan

What category do I use to get this into FTP 15 ?
...
I tried clicking on ADD ELEMENT,  but just got the existing window(s) that are already in the catalog.  ...

I DID succeed in adding to my new project, but I couldn't get it into one of the catalog sections.

As you have found, you cannot import directly to all sections of the cataloge. As Doug said, Interior Accessories works (as does Exterior Accessories). Other sections do too but you need to check. It would not work into Windows as it cannot know from an import what is supposed to be  glass and what isn't and windows automatically cut a hole in the wall (same with doors) but an imported object would not have this ability, so import into these sections is not allowed. That is the same for any section of the cataloge that has special automatic characteristics. Interior and Exterior Accessories are just simple objects which is what the import it.

You can import into Lighting (Add Element) and a light source will be added to your object but you have to do the import on the Basic tab of the Properties (at the bottom).

If you have the object in your model via the Import Wizard, you can add it to the catalogue from File/ Catalogues / Save Element to Catalogue (then click on the SKP object).  It should be added to Exterior Accessories (if that is what you chose in the Wizard).  As Doug said there is sometimes a problem finding it again which is why it is best to import it straight to a suitable section ofthe Catalogue via Add Element.

If you forgot to add a floor you can simply add it in TFP by choosing Floor 'By Picking Points' and just draw the sape to match you SKP object.

Allan

[Dave Taylor (TFP Product Manager)]

Walls, Roofs, Floors, Doors, Windows and Cabinets are all special categories that cannot be added to due to their complexities and number of parametrically driven components.

[Doug.S]

Oh and yes, remember you can make new subfolders....and name/re-name to your hearts content....which makes finding stuf a bit easier.

And another "old" trick....when in the dialog box with lists, you can jump in the list by typing in the first key letter of the folder or object name....for lights hit the "L" key, for wood use "w" , paint "p" , colors "c",  white "w" , etc.