Importing .skp Files

[garystan]

   Hi everybody :

               I've got a question about importing  .skp files into TFP v.15.     Before, whenever I imported any .skp file,  I'd have it set right on the location.   Then  I'd just click on it and move it to the preferred spot (setting the rotation and properties).    Lately,  I've noticed that when I import an  .skp file,  it gets put    'out in left field'  someplace.   Then, when I want to move it onto the area within the project,  I have to right-click and select MOVE.    Other than that,  when I click on it to manipulate it,  nothing happens.  Before,  I was able to import the .skp file,  and it would be put right within the 'working area'  of my project.    I checked the settings in TFP.   They seem okay.     For now, until I switch over to TFP v16,  I'm using Sketchup v 7.1 (until I do the switch-over to  v8).   One more thing......lately,  I've noticed that it was easier to import and manipulate an .skp file while in 2D Designer Plan  versus 2D Plan.    I'll keep working this problem until I find the answer.   It's probably some setting.....somewhere.

                                                                                                                               garystan

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Garystan,

Are you creating these SKP objects yourself or downloading from the SketchUp Warehouse?
If they are your own do you still have the same problem with a know good SKP object?

It sounds to me as though there is something else attached to the SKP object located a long way from it and this is what is causing the object not to be where you put it. On the very rare occasions when I have downloaded an object, even from the Warehouse, I have come across this type of thing - the object I want and then elesewhere (sometimes some distance from the object), little floating bits and pieces that are almost invisible. Obviously the vast majority of SKP files are probably fine but I have come across a few that haven't been. 

If you are making your own if may be a similar thing. If you make something in TFP for example, export it and import again so it becomes one object you must turn off the Terrain, otherwise it becomes part of the object and is huge. If the SKP object has a pit of something off in the distance, then when you import it into TFP the centre grab point of the onject will be midway between the actual object and the stray bit.

That is just a thought, there may be other explanations, but I can't think of any at the moment. I cannot think of any setting in TFP that could cause this.

Allan

[garystan]

  Allan :
             Thanks for your reply.    I did a comparison of three of my  .skp files.   I think I know what could possibly be the problem.  I've included a pic of the comparisons (not sure if how well versed you are in Sketchup).   No offense to TFP people,  I also did a post with in the Sketchup Forum, asking pertinant questions about this problem.       I thought it might've been a case of software corruption.  I re-installed TFP and Sketchup.   Helps a little.     But, I DID notice one thing..........it's just the newer  .skp files that I'm having a problem with.   So...it is some kind of a setting.      The older  .skp files  slide right into  TFP with no problem.    In other words,  it's somethig that I did to cause the problem.         I don't know if it's me or what......but, the  Sketchup people don't seem to like its users using software that's not really related to Sketchup.    That's one reason I like TFP people.   You guys are more open-minded,  even though you don't  know ALL the answers  about other software other than TFP.      Right now,  I'm trying to understand the differences between the files.    I've marked the differences with a red arrow.      Like I said,  I don't mind if you don't speak  Sketchup.      I'm just thankful for the support you guys give. And, in turn,   I'll give the support to others, where I can.
                                                                                                                            garystan

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Garystan,

I am going to have to leave that question to someone else as I know little technically about SketchUp.  Obviously there is some differences as you have highlighted but I don't know the significance of them.

Intersting your comments about some of the SketchUp users. IMSI who market TFP also make rendering programs for SketchUp which many SketchUp users use to render their models.

Also interesting is that Envisioneer's latest version now also exports in SKP format, so can export models for use in the SketchUp Warehouse and on Google Earth. I wonder what the SketchUp users will think of that!!   Whether TFP will have this functionality in its next version remains to be seen, but it is a possibility.

Allan

[garystan]

    Allan :

                   Thanks for your help.   I contacted someone, on the Sketchucation forum (for Sketchup), and they were able to help me solve the problem.   Apparently, it was a setting in an .skp file.  It had to do with the  'OUTINER'.   The OUTLINER is comparable to the outline you'd use when putting together a written essay or compostion.   Before writing a serious essay or composition, you would  'ouline' what your want to include in your composition,  and HOW you want to state your ideas in the composition.  Anyway, this OULTINER shows (behind the scenes) all the parts of the .skp file.     Anyway, that's what I did.  And one  .skp file I was having a problem with (importing into TFP), now can be imported with no problem.   Before...I'd import the file into TFP (in 2D view), but wouldn't be able to click on it and edit or move it.    But, in 2D Designer View I had no problem.       Now, I can import my newer files into TFP with no problem.      I just have to check the other  'newer'  .skp files for this same  'setting'.       I have no problem with the older .skp files.                Apparently,   I contacted someone in the Sketchucation forum that was more............... personable.      Again, thanks for your help.       Sooner or later, it's going to be MY turn......to help someone else when they get  stuck.
                                                                                                                                garystan

[garystan]

    Allan :

                Looks like I have  'closure'  with this one..............I checked a number of my  'newer'  .skp files' OUTLINER  characteristics.      And,  after making what seems like the proper corrections,  they  slid right into TFP.  And I was able to click on them for editing, etc..........One thing I'm not  100% clear on is......the difference between importing onto the TERRAIN, and  importing onto the LOCATION.   Seems like they both would set the  imported object into the same space.
                                                                                                                                garystan

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Gasrystan,

just realised I had not answered thgis question:

One thing I'm not  100% clear on is......the difference between importing onto the TERRAIN, and  importing onto the LOCATION.   Seems like they both would set the  imported object into the same space.

The option is only available if you select one of the Exterior groups, such as Exterior Accessories.  If you import a 3D tree for example, and choose On Location and you insert it when you are on the Second Floor, then that is where your tree will be - up in the air. If you choose On Terrain then it will be on the ground and will move up an down if you have hills and vallies in your terrain.

allan