January 18, 2025  SketchUp Projects III Has Retired . . .

Beginning January 18, 2025, most recent post can be viewed in SketchUp Projects IV

January 14, 2025  SketchUp Make Animation--Carom Billiards Table Simplification

Today's project addresses the roadblocks I encountered with the January 11 post shown below.  The main problem in the previous post turned out to be, as expected, a problem with the complicated structure of the SketchUp Model.

Today, my goal was to use a simple model design that could be made with mostly the push/pull tool.  A Carom Billiard Table (table without  pockets) is much less involved and less prone to gaps between surfaces.

The entire billiard table design, including adding  rail diamonds (spots), name plate, adding colors, materials, and creating 15 scenes was completed in about 2 hours compared to a more involved pocket billiards table that seemed to take forever.  Billiard Balls and Two Piece Cue components were re-used from earlier projects.

Another hour was required to configure Twilight Rendering Extension and create a rendered base image before rendering 360 more images (15 Scenes x 12 frames per second x 2 seconds per frame = 360 total images/frames) for the video.  Considering 12 fps is a relatively slow frame rate for video.  Being slightly jerky, the overall quality is somewhere between fair and good.

Following suggestions obtained from ChatGPT regarding previous defects, I attempted to be more consistent creating overhead scenes in order to avoid harsh shadows or fast lighting changes.  It was also imperative that the three billiard balls and cue did not penetrate the surface of the billiard table cloth which had caused the "sparklies" described in the previous post.

Also, ChatGPT's advice for using a high quality render setting was followed.  Instead of "Low" quality, Twilight Render Extension was set to High 7+ quality.  Twilight Render Animation Editor ran overnight that required 8 hours and 46 Minutes to complete.  VeeDub64 was then applied which required only a minute or two to convert all 360 frames to an avi file.

Without re-hashing the specifics on every step in the process, here are the links to the supporting files and video.

Quick Carom Billiards Table for Viewer  (Opens in your browser--uneditable).  This model contains  16 scenes added with SketchUp Free for animation that can be run with  SketchUp Viewer > Scenes > Play option found along the right side of the Viewer's screen.  Settings for this option should include:  Transitions Settings: Enable Scene Transitions; Transitions (Time) slid to 2 seconds; and Delay (Time) slid to 0 seconds.  Other Scenes options--Camera, Standard Views, and My Scenes--can remain at their default settings, but feel free to experiment.

Quick Carom Billiards Table  (Downloadable. Can be opened with SketchUp Make or later versions--editable).

Carom Billiards Table 2025 (Runs today's Mp4 video.   MovieMaker converted the VeeDub64 .avi file to Mp4.)

Note: The last two rendered scenes were split from the  front 13 scenes using MovieMaker's Video Editor and overlayed with a four-second Credits (text) section with a 1 second transition.  The last two frames were stationary and as they sat there, wiggled and sparkled--they had to go!  After some further duration tinkering, the video remained 30 seconds in length.

Lastly, here are some hIgh resolution rendered still images.

January 11, 2025  SketchUp Make Animation--Pocket Billiards Table v3, v4  .  .  .  .  .  and v5

Today's project re-visits the Pocket Billiards Table post from April 10, 2024 (located in SketchUp Projects II).  I wasted most of yesterday and today trying to render a high quality video using Twilight Render Extension (hobby version).

Sixteen animated scenes were made by moving the Orbit Tool around the pool table and Updating each scene from a new position (see videos below) using Create New Scene and SketchUp's animation options. 

Then, Twilight Render Extensions Animation Editor was used to create a file of 577 (16 scenes x 3 seconds per scene x 12 frames per second = 576 + 1 base frame) sequential images that rendered all night and into the next morning (9 hours, 57 minutes for medium+ quality images, with 1600 x 1200 dimensions).  

As I had done many time before, VeeDub64 was used to convert the data file into a high quality avi video (made from the twilight rendered images) and lastly, converted it to an mp4 video using Microsoft Movie Maker.

All went as planned until I played back the video only to discover numerous flickers under the pool table and rail cushions.  It was evident the original model was not "air tight" because light was peeking through from who knows where.  This had happend once before in a very complex model and I never found a remedy for that situation, either (December 23, 2022 post--"Blender Guy Has New Threads" shown on the Home Page).

I even tried deleting the individual images that appeared to flicker (140 of them).  Because it threw off the sequential numbering scheme, I then devoted several hours manually renaming 436 remaining images (bad idea).  It seemed to be a better strategy than repairing the original pool table model that had taken weeks to piece together.  This fix didn't work--it was only a minor improvement and unwanted light continued to flicker or go dim and then light throughout the video.  I've run out of ideas for now; it will require more thought.

Rather than end up empty handed for all of today's work, I exported the 16 SketchUp scenes using SketchUp's native animation export option as a high quality mp4 file -- Pocket Billiards Table v3 and a second version saved in a Gray Scale format with Microsoft Movie Maker, also mp4 file -- Pocket Billiards Table v4  (Videos will open in new tabs).

The Quality I was originally hoping for is shown below as it was rendered with the Twilight Render Extension Animation option.   Don't hold your breath waiting for Version 5 .

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Sometime later . . .

I don't think there's much more I can do using the defective SketchUp pool table model to create a pristine video other than to rebuild the entire 3D model from the ground up.   But, anyway, I've given it a third try by making a few more superficial adjustments as follows:

1. First. I erased the carpet in the model that had been creating distracting erratic shadows.
   
   

2. The Scene Duration was lowered from 3 to 2 seconds in SketchUp Animation options (16 Scenes x 2 seconds x 12 frames per second = 384 frames + 1 base frame (first rendered image) = 385 Total frames.

3. Re-use Light Information was checked in Twilight Render's Animation Edior options which was previously  unchecked.  Hopefully, that might nullify some of the sporadic flashing ???
   
   

4. Next, the Twilight Render Quality Setting was lowered from Medium+ to Low.
   
   

5. The light intensity was lowered from 5 to 2 using Twilight Render's Environmental Editor to dim the flickering brightness (Flickering is still noticeable on closeup frames).
   
   

As a result of these settings adjustments, the total render time was reduced to 2 hours, 57 minutes--about 20 seconds per frame .

Here is the long-awaited link for Pocket Billiards Table v5.   The Version 5 download was left in its original avi format.  The file stills suffers from the "sparklies" but they are not as noticeble compared to those rendered with brighter and higher quality settings.

I'm still probably missing some preliminary lighting or adjustment setting in Twilight Render Extension that could eliminate the problem.  Some flickering may be caused by two adjacent surfaces in contact with each other that may require a model rebuild. That is, a deletion of one or more surfaces occupying the same space with another entity.  I'm currently querying ChatGPT for assistance:

Prompt 1:

"Please explain how I might elminiate  or turn off unwanted light flickering between surfaces of a 3D animated SketchUp model rendered as a video with Twilight Render Animation Editor?  Still image renderings look fine.  Is a there a remedy that will even/balance the frames before or during processing the video?"

Prompt 2:

"Please explain how I might eliminate or turn off unwanted light flickering between surfaces of a 3D animated SketchUp model rendered as a video with Twilight Render Animation Editor? Still image renderings look fine. Since I am using the Hobby version of Twilight Render with limited options, are there options in VeeDub64 image converter that will even/balance the frames before or during video conversion?"

Click below for for pdf

Chat GPT 4.o Responses

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Final Comments:

The suggested workarounds were worth a try but they didn't  help.   Video rendering of a simple well-constructed model will tell the story whether it's the settings or my faulty pool table design causing the problems.

Other billiards modelling resources on this website:

• Detailed information about drawing and projecting numbers and stripes on pool balls are explained in he March and April, 2024 posts located in SketchUp Projects II.

• Creating the two-piece pool cue shown in today's project along with "point" design layouts (wood joinery technique and lamination as opposed to surface inlaying) located above the grip on the butt of the cue) are explained in the first SketchUp Projects page listed in the left side bar--May 18, 26, and 27, 2023.

January 3, 2025  Nut and Bolt Threads--3/4" UNF 16 TPI Threads

Matching Threads for the nut and bolt require two thread profiles that are shaped slightly different.  The thread profile for the bolt is positioned on a circular base with a .003 inch smaller diameter than the nut's base which measures an exact .750" or 3/4" diameter. The difference represents the allowance which is required for a proper/snug fit.  The allowance could be increased or decreased depending on specific requirements intended for its use.  The equivalent for .75" when scaled up 100x is 75 inches (see models below).

3/4" UNF Bolt Thread for Viewer (Opens in your browser--uneditable).

3/4" UNF Bolt Thread--SketchUp Make Version (Downloadable. Can be opened with SketchUp Make or later versions--editable).

3/4" UNF Nut Thread for Viewer (Opens in your browser--uneditable).

3/4" UNF Nut Thread--SketchUp Make Version (Downloadable. Can be opened with SketchUp Make or later versions--editable).

3/4" UNF Nuts Bolts and Washers for Viewer (Opens in your browser--uneditable).

3/4" UNF Nuts Bolts and Washers--SketchUp Make Version (Downloadable. Can be opened with SketchUp Make or later versions--editable).

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Comments:

The model has been scaled up 1:100 (100x).  I have opted to use inches for this model instead of metric that had been used in 2024 SketchUp models posted below.  Using only 100x enlargement made it more difficult to zoom in when making precision alignments.  Future models will be 1000x (1:1000), if needed.  Greater enlargement seems to be more convenient.

As mentioned in previous posts, scaling down after the project is completed can be accomplished using the Tape Measure Tool Method  to resize everything to actual 3/4" proportions with one easy step.

Lastly, a disclaimer:   All models posted herein are intended for illustrative purposes only.  They are not intended for direct application in the physical world nor in the creation or manufacture of threaded nuts and bolts.

December 4, 2024  Solve Number Mazes with SketchUp--Fun and Games

Number Mazes have always been a source of frustration.  I quickly run out of patience after repeatedly following the same incorrect path.

To make things easier, images of the number mazes were imported into Sketchup for drawing the paths with SketchUp's Line Tool.  That made it easier to re-adjust each path after reaching  "dead ends"; however, that still didn't help very much with my ineptness until I cheated a bit by solving the mazes in reverse.  There are fewer distractors near the Finish when working with higher numbers.

To highlight and celebrate my cereal box number maze mastery, blue paths were created using the Follow Me Tool.  A semi-transparent rectangle was pulled along the path line which formed a rectangular tube (see images and Viewer document below).

Solving Number Mazes for SketchUp Viewer (Opens in your browser--uneditable).

Solving Number Mazes--SketchUp Make Version (Downloadable. Can be opened with SketchUp Make or later versions--editable).

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Comments:

Before resorting to SketchUp to assist in solving the Number Mazes, I had uploaded their images to ChatGPT and Gemini (artifical intelligence websites).  After several failed attempts at providing directions and a maze overlay, Chat GPT 4 (free) told me I had run out of allocated minutes for image analysis and . . . to try again tomorrow. (I'll give it a  few more tries with a smaller maze in the future to test its limits).

Gemini acknowledged the 40- and 50-number mazes were too complex after providing several completely inaccurate step-by-step analyses.

Perhaps the Analytical ability of ChatGPT and Gemini would have fared better if mazes were comprised of squares in grid formations as opposed to circular, honeycomb-shaped mazes consisting of hexagonals.

December 3, 2024  Image Projection--SketchUp Make, Twilight Render Extension, GIMP

A rose image (jpeg file) was imported as a material into SketchUp Make and traced with the Freehand Tool. Individual petals were defined so that the filled surfaces could be raised to various heights using the Push-Pull Tool.  Portions of the leaves and stem were not elevated but were included as part of the material.

To project the image into the model, it was necessary to explode the  jpeg file followed by clicking it with Ctrl-Eye-dropper (color/material selection tool) that appears when the Paint Bucket option is selected.  Once clicked the rose image is displayed in the Materials Window and can then be used to paint the model which sits atop the rose image (Place Paint Bucket Tool on model and click).  

The model was then rendered with Twilight Render Extension and Saved as a jpeg.  The next step was to open it with Gimp,  At this  point the rose wasn't very attractive but did exhibit 3-D characteristics.

The rose was further enhanced using GIMP.  The following modifications were made to improve its appearance: Apply Smudge tool to soften and blend the petal structure (white rose).  Correct background flaws with Cloning Tool.  Lastly, export image as a jpeg file.  The yellow rose was created by raising the Hue Chroma Level in GIMP until the white petals turned yellow.  Again, background flaws were corrected by cloning and with the paint brush.

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Comments:

Sadly, today's project was an excercise in futility.  See how nicely Google Image FX (Generative AI) creates an image of delicate white and yellow roses based on the following text prompt:  "Draw a photo realistic image of a white and yellow rose positioned side by side on a black background ( 35mm film )."

November 30, 2024  Drawing Bolts with SketchUp--Thread Segment Method Revisited

The four and five helix method for modelling bolts are limited to drawing flat nose crests and gutters due to the nature of the scaling/deformation process.  Using a Thread Segment method (see below) for thread construction, allows more detail to be added to the root area that forms a concave surface.  Today's post re-creates yesterday's bolt--1 inch diameter, coarse thread (8 TPI) shallow thread profile--but is completed using the Thread Segment method that features a curved or concave root.*

The thread segment initial setup, which is based on a similar thread profile, requires considerably more geometry (entities) for the root area.  The additional curved geometry slows computer processing time and for impatient designers, could cause a freeze up if using an under-powered computer.

Selecting three or four grouped thread spirals at a time minimizes the risk of freeze up, rather than selecting the entire stack of 20 grouped spirals to be exploded.  For example, one thread spiral group in this model contains 14,615 entities made from 96 exploded thread segments.  The entire thread cylinder was initially drawn with 20 grouped thread segments for a total of 292,300 entities.

Other elements of the bolt require exploding and intersecting as well.  When interesting, also complete it in two steps--once for the upper thread runout and once for the bottom thread runout and chamfer.  Selected only affected areas rather than the entire bolt when intersecting thread runouts, etc.

I have purposely omitted the Nut fastener from this post.  It would be drawn using the same techniques as the bolt thread with a slightly larger diameter and matching female threads.  Fabricated and/or intersected chamfers would be applied to the thread ends that connect to the nut's external surfaces which are drawn around the completed threaded section.  The August 13, 2024 post below provides detailed instructions in Viewer for making a Hexagonal Nut using another variation of the five helix method for the nut and bolt thread; however, nut assembly would be basically the same for the thread segment method.

The SketchUp Viewer Link is:  Concave Root Bolt Design for Viewer  (will open in your browser but cannot be edited with the free version).

The Link for the SketchUp Make version is:   Concave Root Bolt Design--SketchUp Make Version (for download only; requires SketchUp Make or later versions to open--editable).

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Comments:

*One obstacle I've experienced in the past is attaining a seamless intersection of chamfers and runout through the curved gutter (clearance) and thread root area.  For this reason, I have chosen not to soften or smooth the thread sprials prior to intersection with the other elements.  Hint:  also double check the vertical and center alignment of grouped sections before exploding. No addtional smoothing or softening was performed on the overall shape.

Lastly, I am unsure if there is still an audience for this kind of website material.  That is, for those who create SketchUp models from the ground up, completely from scratch. Although these endeavors are challenging and provide a sense of accomplishment when successfully completed, similar models can be created quickly with built-in features, addons, or extensions at speeds measured in seconds instead of hours.

November 29, 2024  Drawing Bolts with SketchUp--Precision

As noted in the Comments section in the November 17 post below, the disclaimer pertained to non-adherence to published specifications regarding bolt sizes and specifications.  Today's post provides a somewhat limited comparison of two thread profiles (shown in red and green below) that contrast this website's thread versions with real-world design (shown in blue).

Basically, today's post illustrates a deep and a shallow thread profile where the deeper profile is a bit deeper and the shallow is a less shallow than the actual specs.  This is due to the pivot angle of the 30 degree flanks that originate from the edges of the nose crests.   Based on a 1" inch major diameter, the models do not resolve the variance of a few thousands of an inch in either direction.

The only remedy I perceive and still maintain the 30 degree flank angles in the design is to slightly increase or decrease the current thread depths by either lengthening or shortening the root or crest lengths, or some combination of both, while preserving the Major Diameter and Pitch Length.

Today's completed bolt illustrates a thread design having a root length equalling 2x the length of its crest.  That is, the total root length (male thread) represents 1/4 of the pitch length, whereas the crest occupies 1/8 of the pitch.*

Lastly, the objective of today's model is to provide a likeness of a threaded bolt--but, also noting that it does not conform to precise industrial standards and specifications.

The SketchUp Viewer Link is:  Bolt Design Variation for Viewer  (will open in your browser but cannot be edited with the free version).

The Link for the SketchUp Make version is:   Bolt Design Variation--SketchUp Make Version (for download only; requires SketchUp Make or later versions to open--editable).

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Comments:

*Redrawing the basic thread profile design would eliminate the convenience of applying 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 division marks used for laying out the thread profile for initial setup and final-stage helix aligments.  I have not dabbled with this process but it seems to be a workable solution--only to gain a few thousands of an inch greater precision (Nothing that an extra cutting pass, grinding, die adjustment, or thread file couldn't cure in real life).

Nevertheless, precision is of greater importance when multiple copies of a standard size bolt, for example, are required for the purpose of labor-, time savings, and overall efficiency.  Appropriate tolerences. fit, and strength are essential.

November 17, 2024  Drawing a Bolt, Review--Continuation of November 16th SketchUp Project

A hexagonal head, shank, gutter, top-, and bottom chamfered runouts have been added to yesterday's thread model.  The upper chamfer matches the 30 degree thread angle, and the bottom chamfer tapers at a 45 degree angle.

By adding and trimming an upper Runout section, the thread appears to shrink until it disappears at the gutter (minor diameter in this example).   This emulates a turned thread on a metal lathe where the lathe threading tool removes the metal chips to the depth of the pre-cut clearance--minor diameter (or slightly deeper).  Using SketchUp, however, both the upper and lower chamfers are formed by intersectiing and then erasing unwanted geometry.

Again, more examples and detailed instructions are provided in previous posts found in the SketchUp Projects areas, although today's project has a slighly different approach for creating the upper runout section.  There are many options regarding how to form an authenitic looking thread and bolt.  In these examples, I dwell on the threaded area and not so much on the design and detail of the upper shank and hexagonal bolt head.

The SketchUp Viewer Link is:  Bolt Model Review for Viewer  (will open in your browser but cannot be edited with the free version).

The Link for the SketchUp Make version is:   Bolt Model Review--SketchUp Make Version (for download only; requires SketchUp Make or later versions to open--editable).

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Comments:

Disclaimer.  Modelling projects contained on this website are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be used for creating objects for real-world applications.  Threads and Bolts for example, as shown on this website do not strictly conform with industry standards and practices.

November 16, 2024  Drawing Threads with SketchUp Make--Review Five Helix Method, 8 TPI, One Inch Coarse Thread

It has been several months since the last post was made that illustrates drawing 3D threads.   This model was created using SketchUp Make (free version from 2017) and imported into SketchUp FREE for this post (current online version).  No narrative or captions are included in today's model; however, many previous models provide detailed instructions in SketchUp Projects I, II, and III links located in the left sidebar.

The model has not been scaled to actual 1" dimensions.  Everything was based on a 4800mm circle diameter representing a  1" thread containing 96 segments.  The pitch of each thread is 600mm.  The Thread profile (template) was divided into eighths and sixteenths with the thread flanks containing 30 Degree angles that determine the thread depth and subsequent minor diameter (see SketchUp Viewer).

The thread profile includes; One Crest, allotted 1/8th of the pitch; a Root divided into 1/16th top and 1/16th bottom areas; and two 30 degree angled Flanks that occupy 3/4ths of the 600mm overall pitch length.

Individual 600mm, 96 segment Helixes were duplicated and aligned with the thread profile to insure accurate shape and size.  Thread Scaling/Deformation was applied to create the 16-thread section of bolt thread.

A special traingle, unique to SketchUp (painted Red), was temporarily drawn at the base of the thread that establishes a point for the scaling/deformation step that is applied near the end of the drawing process.  The Alignment Triangle's point, is based on the inside (minor) diameter's corner intersection as shown in the steps provided in SketchUp Viewer.  The positioning of the triangular alignment point eliminates the need for all mathematical calculations normally required for scaling and deforming the cylinder used for the bolt (see additional comments below).

The SketchUp Viewer Link is:  Five Helix Thread Review for Viewer  (will open in your browser but cannot be edited with the free version).

The Link for the SketchUp Make version is:   Five Helix Thread Review--SketchUp Make Version (for download only; requires SketchUp Make or later versions to open--editable).

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Comments:

Points to note concerning shaping the thread--Scaling/Deformation: After Exploding the entire model, shift select the adjacent root areas as defined by helixes 1, 2, and 5 arranged from bottom to top (root surface areas are painted gold in the model).

Keeping both surfaces of the root area selected, use the Scaling Tool and Mouse, to drag the mid-corner handle/grip that is located above the red triangle downward to the tip of the red triangle while depressing the Ctrl Key (Scale about Center).  

After the handle/grip touches the front corner tip of the red triangle, the entire thread will be transformed (scaled/deformed) into its exact proportions and shape.

Dragging the selected root areas with the handle/grip to the designated point on the red triangle shapes the entire thread caused by deformation of the cylindrical surface areas sticking to all five exploded helixes and the circles at the top and bottom.  Release the Ctrl Key and Mouse after the thread is scaled and deformed.  If it doesn't work the first time, press Undo and try again.  It's a bit tricky at first.

October 4, 2024  Math Illustrations-- SketchUp Make and Excel Spreadsheet

Today's project explores the world of numbers using a portion of Pascal's Triangle drawn with SketchUp Make.    Its layout is such that it will reveal the sum of various arrangements of numbers, identify series of numbers divisible by prime factors, provide rows that sum to squares of 2, and calculate values to the nth power of 11 across each row of numbers (minor conversion required for two and three... digit numbers).

Row 11  has been converted to the 10th power of the number 11 (Magic Number) on the first Spreadsheet image shown below.  My handwriting was too sloppy to perform the required math with paper and pencil.  Instead, I used a spreadsheet that made the process very easy and neat while performing the manual adding and carrying of values from right to left.   Lastly, the 10th power of 11 was verified with the Excel formula:  = 11^10.

Pascal's Triangle, however,  consists of rows of individual values.   These values are either 1s or sums of two or more numbers located directly above (see various color-coded patterns where dark green represents a sum).

The second spreadsheet looks similar to the arrangement of Pascal's Triangle and is very similar until the 6th row is reached.  It is actually the single value center-aligned expansion of roots ranging from 0 to the 10th roots. 

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Comments:

The summing of  numbers: 0+1 for the top, 1+1 for row 2 and 1+2+1 for row 3 can be expanded downward indefinitely.  Every new row begins and ends with a 1.  Pairs of numbers in the previous row are added to form the numbers in the new row.

A value carried to the nth power of 11 can be determined by reading the decimal system value from left to right for Rows 1 through 5.  Thereafter, starting on the right end of Row 6 portions of values >9 must be carried and added to the next number to the left to form its decimal value equivalent.  The carrying process is repeated until all decimal digit places are either 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

Beginning with Row 3, the Exponent value for both powers of 2 and 11 calculations are located adjacent to the exterior 1s.

The above observations do not address the underlying mathematics that explains why Pascal's Triangle works as it does. I am not a mathematician. The duality between the left and right halves of the triangle remains a mystery to me.

August 18, 2024  Lines and Squiggles-- SketchUp Make and GIMP

Using SketchUp Make, multiple groups of five pentagonal polyhedrons were aligned about a common axis spaced 72 Degrees apart to form  semi-organized clusters of lines.

Images were captured (SketchUp Make 2D Export) from various vantage points inside the polyhedron model.   The images were then used to create interesting designs using  GIMP, an image editor application.  GIMP filters and color options were applied that resulted in the patterns shown below.

The Pentagon shape could just as well have been a group of hexagons, octagons or squares, etc.  The idea was to create a dense population of lines having a sense of direction and perspective.  No specific purpose or intended meaning was planned in advanced--a form of non-objective or spontaneous art, an abstraction.

Here are today's shared SketchUp Models:

Lines and Squiggles for Viewer  (Open in your Browser--uneditable.)

Lines and Squiggles (For download:  Open with SketchUp Make, SketchUp Free, or later versions--editable.)

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Comments:

Some images were exported from SkectchUp Make for GIMP in the X-ray View Mode.  Others were exported in the Wireframe View Mode.

The Lines and Squiggles for Viewer model was saved using the Wireframe1 Style (a SketchUp Free Setting).

GIMP's Hue Chroma option was used to initially tint the SketchUp model exports that were exported using SketchUp's default colors.

Various GIMP filters, color adjustments, and lighting effects were applied to all with the exception of the last two shown below.

August 13, 2024  Nuts and Bolts -- Draw Internal and External Threads with SketchUp Make / Twilight Render Extension

Today's Model shows internal and external threads for a one-inch diameter coarse thread bolt (8 TPI).  It has been scaled very large for easier manipulation in SketchUp.  The Major Diameter of the Bolt is 4800mm; Minor Diameter of the Nut is 4824mm (.005 larger than the Bolt).   The Pitch for the internal thread for the nut and the external thread for the bolt is 600mm.

All other model measurements are derived from the thread profile that is drawn relative to the 600mm pitch with 30 Degrees flanks (see images in Viewer).  The thread profile for the nut and bolt are the same; however, because the diameter and circumference for the nut is larger, it will have slightly less slope due to a longer total slope length than the smaller external thread on the bolt.  Each thread spiral for both terminate at the end the designated pitch of 600mm.

After the entire model has been completed, The Major Diameter of the bolt will be scaled to 1" using the Tape Measure Tool method.  Every measurement in the model will be re-sized relative to the 1" diamerter (Not Shown).  Suggestion:  always back up the original before resizing.

Here are today's shared SketchUp Models:

Nuts and Bolts for Viewer  (Open in your Browser--uneditable.)

Nuts and Bolts (For download:  Open with SketchUp Make, SketchUp Free, or later versions--editable.)

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Comments:

There are other options available for creating the initial helixes for the nut and bolt.  Today's method is very tedious  Other manual methods are also time consuming.

Various SketchUp addons and extensions could be used for drawing helixes.  Some extensions create nuts and bolts, but may not produce exactly what you had in mind.

When finished, it is your option to change the thread direction from right to left or vice versa by simply selecting the nut and bolt and flip on their red axis if arranged as shown in this model.

Lastly, as with all of my SketchUp models, thread layouts and designs are for illustrative purposes only.  Today's model is one of several techniques for drawing threads that I've elaborated on over the years.  It isn't necessarily the correct way and it's probably not the most efficient.

August 1, 2024  Four Fluted Auger Bit--SketchUp Make and Twilight Render Extension

Today's Model represents a drill bit (auger bit) suitable for boring soft material such as wood.  It follows no particular plan other than it has four cutting edges and four flutes for removal of chips.  It is made by stacking and aligning (rotating at the center axis)  sloped segments each with an angle of 10 degrees.  36 segments comprise one spiral of 360 degrees. 

The drill bit was layed out with two spirals (72 segments) with several being lost while shaping the drill bit point. The rendered clarity of the flutes was unremarkable.  For example, a smaller slope angle such as 2 degrees would be 5x smoother; but the downside is file size which would be five times larger and more memory intensive.  With more available memory, 180 segments at 2 degrees per segment would produce a better looking image.  Use of the Smooth feature didn't have much of an effect for Twilight Rendering (hobby version), but did remedy the rough appearance with SketchUp Make 2D exports (see images below).

I have divided the project into three parts to improve the speed for completing the drawing of the entire drill bit.  My old computer began to lag as the file size grew.  Most of the preliminary steps are in Part 1.  The memory hogs are Part 2 and 3 and were therefore saved separately to improve computer performance while finishing the model.

Two versions of today's SketchUp project are shared below:

"Four Fluted Auger Bit for Viewer" (will open in your Browser--not editable):

Part 1 for Viewer

Part 2 for Viewer

Part 3 for Viewer

"Four Fluted Auger Bit" (for download will open with SketchUp Make, SketchUp Free, or later versions--editable):

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

More examples of Drill Bits can be viewed at the SketchUp Projects II link in the left side bar.  Six posts dated August 3 through August 13, 2023 are the most recent projects.   July 28, 29, and 30, 2023 drill bit projects appear under the original SketchUp Projects link in the left sidebar.  Many other examples appear in the archives and at the Digital Art links from past years.  By comparison, some earlier models were very crude.

SketchUp Projects III will be opening August 1, 2024.