Sketchup Tips and Tricks – II

Components function like blocks in AutoCAD that you can reuse within your SketchUp models. Pre-built components are available within Sketchup from the Component Browser (Window >Component Browser). Any model you create can be a component in the next project. Dynamic components are components that have parametric (For e.g. a stair component that, when resized, automatically adds more steps) or a cabinet component whose doors can open and close. Components are made ‘dynamic’ by attaching attributes to the component like the component’s name, description, size, location, and number of copies. Some attributes, such as those mentioned previously, are

• predefined attributes, meaning that they are automaticallyavailable for every dynamic component.
• custom attributes are unique attributes defined by thedeveloper of the dynamic component.

Every component attribute has a value which can be a textual string, a number, or the result of a formula (which is usually a number or text)

• Constrained: Dynamic components can have values
  (e.g. size) that are constrained, yielding a component whose parts
  might not be scalable (using the Scale tool), or only scalable in
  a certain direction. For example, a dynamic cabinet door component
  might have a frame of a set size (such as 3 inches). When constrained,
  the dimension changes only in one direction.

Common features of Dynamic Components Following are six

common features of dynamic components. Most dynamic components will implement

one or more of these features.

• Repetitive: A dynamic component can have sub-components
  that repeat when the component is scaled, such as a stair component
  that automatically adds steps when scaled. As shown in the figure,
  component after it has been scaled using the Scale tool, the additional
  stairs automatically add up as the size is increased.

Repetition might be used in a variety of dynamic components such as stairs
(number of steps), couches (number of cushions), fences (number of pickets),
construction framing (number of studs), and so on.

• Configurable: A dynamic component can have a pre-defined
  set of values that are configurable by the user, such as lengths for
  a couch or amount of spacing between pickets in a fence component.
  The following is an example of the Component Options dialog box that
  is displayed for a dynamic component that is configurable.

• Animated: A dynamic component can have animated
  sub-components that move when the user clicks on the component with
  the Interaction tool. The following image show a closed and then the
  door opened after it has been clicked on with the Interaction tool.

Animations can be found in components that represent real-world objects
that have moving parts. These objects include doors, windows, and appliances.

• Branded: The Component Options dialog box for
  a dynamic component can include product and company information, such
  as contact information, product details, and links to a product web
  site.

Identifying Dynamic Components A component is considered
dynamic when one of the following conditions is met:

• The component contains the on-Click, Scale-tool or Copiesattributes.
• The component contains a formula assignedto one if its attributes.
• The component contains sub-component ofthe component is dynamic.

The component will have a badge on its thumbnail
in the Component Browser or in the Google 3D Warehouse indicating that
it is dynamic when it meets one of the previous conditions. Configuring
a Dynamic Component Some dynamic components have the ability
for the values of certain geometry to be end-user configurable using a
Component Options dialog box. To configure a component: Context-click
(right click) on the component. The component’s context menu is displayed.
Select the Dynamic Components > Component Options
menu item. Type values in fields or select options from

1. Create a new component that is comprised entirely from groups or sub-component instances, each with a unique name.
2. Context-click on the component. The component’s context menu isdisplayed.
3. Select the Dynamic Components > Component Attributesmenu item. The Component Attributes dialog box is displayed. The Component

   Attributes dialog box is a two-column spreadsheet of attribute and

   attribute value pairs.

4. Add variables and values to yourcomponent to make it dynamic.
5. Test your component to ensure it works correctly.
6. Save your component to a component file.

KAPIL AGARWAL | Senior Architect www.sketchall.com