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in another topic - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4623.0 - i confessed my "love" for system-x.
i am sorry all you "hard" collectors but it is true - i prefer system-x to steck.
when indianna geniously proposed plugs for the system-x holes the last disadvantage was "killed".
i have 2 reasons that made me create this new thread:
i wanted to "tease" the steck lovers :P and i wanted to present you a klickywelt's fantastic member - :wow:sir pleamo :wow: - that posted some very nice pictures of system-x possibilities - http://www.klickywelt.de/hafenbaumeister-von-sir-pleamo-t42268.html
he works with a google software called sketchup (with a free and a pro version).
when i asked him if i could post his pictures here his reply couldn't be more encouraging:
"okay, I will tell you what's about with these pictures, first sure you can use them, but there is much more potential in them. These pictures are only examples for my project in this thread. I have made (and still making) 3D-Models of the System X building parts so that you can construct your own buildings on computer. I have chosen to use the free software "SketchUp 7" so that everyone could use my building parts to build up their own stuff.
In this sense you surely can use my pictures (but you are right in mentioning the source, that's me and this thread). But I can send you much more pics and/or with higher resolutions or perspectives, or...
If you want the 3D-files of the parts as a zip-file, please send me your email. You then can use them (after downloading and installing SketchUp by google) freely to produce all buildings you ever want.
I would be very happy to share this project with a huge number of Playmo-Fans so feel free to tell all your friends about this thread. The number of modeled parts grows nearly every day, so there will be updates time by time. If you like the project, visit this thread some times to see what's new. If you send me your email, I will support you regularely with new parts when they are finished.
If you have questions or any idea, let it me know!"
so, we have someone who can teach us how to do all the "modelling" software, who has a lot of system-x models filed and, last but not least, who is a great guy.
so thank you :love:halvar :love:, and for all of you - maybe it's time to start system-x designing. ;)
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Hi Cachalote! those 3 pics of the renders, are the same in the link you posted? I'm not a klickywelt member so I can't see it!
Still don't understand a lot about this steck and other systems but I want to learn more!!! :wave:
Thanx
Gaston
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This is a really impressive piece of work cachalotte and many congratulations to sir pleamo!!!
I had a similar design in mind for a fortress island.
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:) a lot can be acomplished with system-x.
here´s another example from :wow: tilmobil :wow: from klickywelt :love: - http://www.klickywelt.de/neue-burg-4865-details%2C-kompatibilitaet%2C-usw-t42305.html.
:) i am just posting one picture because this is an image-open link and there a lot of others accessible in the link.
this new 4865 castle is compatible with the previous sytem-x walls (although "taller" it has the walk-arounds at the same level).
and it has various solutions for the 45 degress angles... ;)
p.s. yes tonguello, those are the pictures sir pleamo published in klickywelt (the first ones of course)
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Very cool!!!! thanx Cachalote.
People seems to like better the steck system. I'm no expert but system x looks really cool to me too!
gaston
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to be fair, this use of the skethcup possibilities was started by :) klickywelt's :) sir george I :) - http://www.klickywelt.de/hofarchitekt-von-sir-george-i-t41548.html.
using virtual steck parts (nobody is perfect) he can create whatever he wants.
here's 2 pictures of the program's "ambience" and of an "inside" scene.
thank you :wow: sir george I :wow: .
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These are wonderful! Thanks, cachalote!
Whether using SystemX or Steck, I love, love, love the idea of using Google's SketchUp as a CAD tool for Playmobil. I downloaded the free version a while back, but I never made much progress in figuring out how to set up a library of images as well as the other skills needed to get good results. The examples you have shown, Pedro, give me renewed enthusiasm for such a project, especially if we can find a way to share libraries and help each other learn how to use SketchUp effectively.
Any thoughts about how all of us who are interested in using SketchUp can find a way to work together on learning SketchUp, developing image libraries, etc.?
Sounds like a good project for the upcoming cold winter months. :)
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I love it! :love:
I wish I had more time to devote on learning the software... ::)
best,
socrates
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:wave: hello indianna,
i don't know if you are also a klickywelt's member.
if you are you just have to "speak" with sir george I - who has an extensive 3d steck database - or with his "pupil" sir pleamo - who is doing the same with system-x.
they are both fluent in english and they are both very willing to help with what is needed to learn how to work with sketchup and to build 3d database.
sir pleamo in his answer to me has even offered to make available all his 3d work and sir george I (i used the google translator) also seems to be doing the same.
:) good luck indianna and i hope that you will be able to show us you work with virtual-system-x - much more interesting than steck as i am sure you agree.
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Hi Cachalote,
thanks for this wonderfull information.
.......Whether using SystemX or Steck, I love, love, love the idea of using Google's SketchUp as a CAD tool for Playmobil. I downloaded the free version a while back, but I never made much progress in figuring out how to set up a library of images as well as the other skills needed to get good results. The examples you have shown, Pedro, give me renewed enthusiasm for such a project, especially if we can find a way to share libraries and help each other learn how to use SketchUp effectively.
Any thoughts about how all of us who are interested in using SketchUp can find a way to work together on learning SketchUp, developing image libraries, etc.?
Sounds like a good project for the upcoming cold winter months. :)
I think I was discusing this with Indianna a while back and I also downloaded sketch up to have a play with. So far I've only had the time to do very basic shapes but this work is amazing. Could you please pass on our thanks for all the hard work these guys have done and their very kind offer to share a libraries.
I shall try to contact them with the hope of borrowing their work.
:thanks:
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Hi again, I can't follow the klickywelt threads could you please pass on my email address to Sir Pleamo? :-[
Many thanks, Emma.
emma.jplaymofan@googlemail.com
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:wave: hello emma j.,
i just sent a p.m. to sir pleamo asking if it would be o.k. for you to contact him (or for him to contact you).
:) as soon as he answers i'll let you know.
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hello again emma j.
i've given your e.mail to sir pleamo and :wave: he will get in touch with you.
i hope he can help you - at least he's willing to.
he's also thinking on joining playmofriends - that would be great. :)
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Hi All,
Came late to the party...
I think the idea of using SketchUp is absolutely fantastic. I recently downloaded it at work (for work purposes) and now at home (for Playmobil purposes). Like others have suggested, I think SketchUp could be the digital design tool many of us have been looking/hoping for.
I have been aware of SketchUp for a while, and I'd thought that it would be great to build up a portfolio of accurate models of Steck components, but since Sir George and Sir Pleamo have already done this (and for System-X as well), so much the better!
To take things on to the next step: could we build a library of SketchUp models of Klicky parts (torsos, arms, legs, heads, hair, collars, belts, etc.) to enable 'virtual customising'? Once we had the basic shapes of the main parts (torsos, arms, legs, etc.), in most cases it would be a question of the colours/renders applied to the shapes. Building up a library of every colour/printing combination would be a challenge, but we like a challenge, don't we?
I think it's possible to share SketchUp models through Google's own web pages/fora, but I don't know the details.
Anyway, I, too, would love to get access to the library of Steck/System-X SketchUp models. chacalote, shall I PM you my email as well, to pass along to Sir George and Sir Pleamo?
Cheers,
AndrewL
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Hi Cachalote,
thanks alot, yes Sir Pleamo has emailed me and I'm waiting to hear back from him. He sent me a very nice letter explaining about sketchup and what he's done. So I've asked for a few parts I can work from so mine will match his.
........
I have been aware of SketchUp for a while, and I'd thought that it would be great to build up a portfolio of accurate models of Steck components, but since Sir George and Sir Pleamo have already done this (and for System-X as well), so much the better!
......
Hi Andrew, having talked briefly to Sir Pleamo he seams like he's no where near to finishing the system x parts yet and I know he would love a hand with some more parts. I want to do some work with the old palace so I've said if he hasn't done any of those I'll try to make a start on them working from some of his prison parts.
I'll let you know when I hear back from him.
Emma
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I agree that System X is a great building system if you just put your mind to it,
And that it can make some things Steck can't.
And it even sometimes can look better then Steck.
But here is my problem with it:
I already have lots of Steck,
I don't want to build a whole new castle out of another system
and start all over again.
That is my only problem with it.
But if Playmobil never brings back Steck,
and System X is here to stay... :(
I guess Playmobil could have done worse.
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I'm so glad to see Emma, Andrew, Socrates, and WOT also getting in on this discussion! :hatoff:
It sounds as if we might be able to work together to establish a library of image files - I think you are correct, Andrew, that such a library could be hosted at Google. In fact, there seem to be some files there already (a google search of the terms "sketchup playmobil" returned several results, including this one: Playmobil Police Station (http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=ade3356b4757a4305c351e299b24e355))
Keep the ideas flowing! :)
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I always think that Steck looks best for the historic buildings (medieval, Western, Victorian etc) and then System X looks it's best for modern building (shops etc)
I still prefer Steck though ;)
Damo :)
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:wave: As Cachalote mentioned at the start of this there are two guys working on this project one for steck and one for system x so which ever system you like I think we could all benefit from this.
I've had an answer back from Sir Pleamo and he's really excited that there are others out here who are interested in this project. Any help you can give would be amazing and really appreciated. We're talking about working from his base parts and adapting them so all the new parts created will be the same scale etc.
He's started of with these sets 3112, 3268, 3269. I've said I'll have a go at the 3019 palace walls first so I'll keep everyone informed with how I get on. I think it's going to take a lot of time to build this parts but if enough of us have ago even if we only do a couple of bits each I think it would really help out.
Wow! I couldn't image that my dreams will come true so early! You are talking exactly about my deepest hopes concerning the project! My first idea was to build up a huge 17th century harbor with town, but soon I had to realize that space and parts are limited. So I decided to do it on computer, just the same what you told from your palace-idea. But since I have started my first part in SketchUp, I knew it will be impossible for only one person (and not as a business) to create all the parts even available for System X right now. Now after your mail I realized that there are indeed some people out there which might join the project to start something REALLY BIG!
As I already said I’m not a member of playmofriends but if you think there might be some more interest about such a theme I would join there too.
So if there's enough interest in this over here Sir Pleamo might join us to say hello.
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so, everything seems to be moving on. :)
maybe when all system-x parts are available "virtually" the next step will be to design new ones. ;)
... and maybe playmobil will like this. :yup:
on another thread in this forum that shows a beautiful system-x castle done by vauban - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=5731.15 - a comment from playmodschungel shows us an incredible playmobil system-x site - http://www.klicky-pictures.bplaced.net/gallerie.html.
it is really worth seeing.
maybe this can "silence" a bit all steck-exclusive-fans about system-x possibilities. ;D
like w.o.t. many of us have a lot of steck bought in the past - it was the primordial system used in the castle theme, apparently still the favourite one on all polls - and that's a good reason for wanting it back but maybe we can "fight" several "battles" at the same time.
i just feel that it makes no sense to try and convince geobra that steck is better than system-x ("discovering" false mechanical or design faults where there are none) instead of honestly saying that some (a lot) of collectors would really love to be able to complete their steck stock with some (a lot) of extra parts.
on the other hand most the system-x-fans would really love to have bigger buildings, buildings that could be taken apart and re-used instead of "complete" sets that cannot be joined with anything.
and the same fans could ask that geobra would stop downsizing their walls and roofs.
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Hi everyone!
Yes, at least the correspondences with cachalote and emma has convinced me to join playmofriends too. As cachalote already mentioned, I am also a member of Klickywelt.de, and wow, while I am reading this thread I see, you have already get in toch with my Sys-X project. ...and I was pleased of such a kind introduction of my project here by cachalote and Emma :thanks: As Cachalote has said, first "Sir George I" established a SketchUp-based 3D-modelling for Playmobil parts, but for Steck-System only. I'm not a "Stecker", so I decided to do the same with SysX but nevertheless Sir George and I are working together in the sense of realizing the whole Playmo world in 3D ;D.
I will join the numberous discussion-lines in this thread soon (manny intersting and important stuff has been mentioned allready), but for the beginning I will post some pics of the 3D-project, to get you an idea about it. As Emma already quote from my mail, I'm very happy to get in touch with all of you sharing the interest of sysX (Maybe I could present you my 17th century SysX-harbour soon).
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These scans are great! :D
Now if only I could figure out how to use Sketch Up... :P
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At the moment I do not have much time... so maybe at weekend I will be able to post in more detail... but for short:
Now if only I could figure out how to use Sketch Up... :P
I love it!
I wish I had more time to devote on learning the software...
No problem, it's not as hard as it first looks, and I'm writing a pdf-manual especially for the use of SketchUp with those playmo-parts at the moment too.
To take things on to the next step: could we build a library of SketchUp models of Klicky parts (torsos, arms, legs, heads, hair, collars, belts, etc.) to enable 'virtual customising'? Once we had the basic shapes of the main parts (torsos, arms, legs, etc.), in most cases it would be a question of the colours/renders applied to the shapes. Building up a library of every colour/printing combination would be a challenge, but we like a challenge, don't we?
Yes we do, but believe me a klicky would be a real masterpiece, my experience at the moment teaches me we should do step by step. But you are right in designing not only genuine building parts, I have already some lamps and chests etc. in work... but Klickys? Wow!?!
I think it's possible to share SketchUp models through Google's own web pages/fora, but I don't know the details.
In principle this might work BUT: 1) everyone needs an account at google (and even I do not have such an account, and I don't want to have one, too) because 2) then anyone will be able to see, download and use these parts. Nice idea but this will kill the project because Geobra will then immediately interrupt. That's just a question of copyrights and so on. The easiest way I suggest is to share it "traditionally" via downloading-sites like rapidshare or via email and zip (both ways I am going to offer for my parts too). A library then will be easily possible when you just copy all the models in the same folder, that's all in SketchUp!
As Emma already has mentioned, I'm in contact with her and we are going to establish some standards to make it possible for anyone to help creating new parts.
As I said already, maybe at weekend there will be more time for me to discuss this theme in more details!
...and to those which still prefer Steck, believe me, you don't know what you are talking about ;D
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:wave: hello sir pleamo,
:love: i am sure we are all eager to see your harbour.
;) it will no doubt create doubts in the the steck-is-best fans.
:) thank you so much for joining and for your fantastic pictures.
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Hi Sir Pleamo, and welcome!
Your work so far looks absolutely wonderful, and I say that as someone who owns almost no System-X pieces at all! (Though that is by accident rather than design or any desire for ideological purity!)
Your point about not sharing SketchUp models of Playmobil parts via Google's own systems is almost certainly correct. I share your suspicion that Geobra's management and IPR lawyers would try to squash any such activity as soon as they got wind of it.
The idea about 'Sketching Up' Klickies was something of a pipe-dream, really. But it's nice to dream, isn't it?
Anyway, you and Sir George have definitely shown us all a fantastic way forward. I don't know whether I will have the time or resources to help in a practical sense (e.g., no-SysX parts to hand to add to the libraries already in existence). But if standing on the sidelines cheering loudly is of any assistance, consider it done!
Cheers,
AndrewL
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I will have to look into this more deeply. I have done lots of things with 3D software, including plenty of modeling. I usually use other programs though like Vue for rendering and MoI for modeling. I've been away from digital art for a while now but winter is coming up and it might be fun to play with this and help the project. I will have to see if my software can save to a skp file. It is possible to get free plugins that allow exporting in .obj format from Sketchup
Here is one (http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/2007/01/wavefront-obj-exporter.html)
I don't want to hijack the thread >:D but to show you what i have done -
Here are a couple of things I've done in the past.
For this garden I bought the models of the plants but created all the structures and objects myself.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3581944712_c03d72501e.jpg)
in this one I made everything you see in the picture from scratch
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3089333151_838f9d9225.jpg)
This is what one of the MoI modeling pages looks like
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3345984586_ce09484d92.jpg)
and here is that model in a scene rendered in Vue
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/3774413591_713042a801_z.jpg?zz=1)
the originals on these are all much larger of course and show more detail.
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incredible work tiermann. :o
you should try and get on board the system-x ship. :)
and don't be afraid of its name... ;)
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@ Tiermann:
Yes I wrote that I will return to this thread at weekend, but these amazing pictures force me to post earlier! Great work! :love: :love: :love: ...and yes you seem to be very familiar with 3D-modelling! Really great art!
But that's also my worry about it. This is art indeed! My idea was not making 3D Klicky-art but something like a tool just for everyone who wants to plan a building (Yes I know, a guy who could do such art is able to do simpler things, too). I do not use any kind of texture for example... As I mentioned, my main interest is simplicity to make it handable and FREE. I know that there are some other free versions of 3D-programs (DAZ etc), but personally I think all of them are much to powerfull for the "simple" CAD-idea and therefore not easy to understand for people not familiar with 3D or graphical programs at all. Right, to illustrate or make art, SketchUp is really worth. I don't know what others might say, but I think we should keep it low. Anyway, if someone likes it can convert the files in whatever he wants. dae-files are also available in Sketchup, but my experiences with cross-programm-work are not a very good ones when all the parts should match at least.
Anyway, great when the discussion goes on! ...and I'm not the only one here! So, Tiermann, don't get me wrong, I'm really impressed by your work, great stuff! But still I think this is not the direction it should go. But maybe I got you wrong and all you wanted was showing us your expertise in 3D modelling, wasn't it?
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I think for people who are interested it could certainly be used for art, but that's not my point.
I think what you are really aiming for is something like LDraw, a way to build digitally with Playmo parts. Textures etc are not necessary for that beyond coloring.
I actually missed getting to one of the points I wanted to make. Having made different sorts of things I know that curved objects are much harder to make than rectangular ones. So it will be not too hard to make most System X parts, but would be quite difficult to do decent looking klickies.
Anyway I will be downloading the most recent Sketchup and take a look at things.
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......
Anyway, you and Sir George have definitely shown us all a fantastic way forward. I don't know whether I will have the time or resources to help in a practical sense (e.g., no-SysX parts to hand to add to the libraries already in existence). But if standing on the sidelines cheering loudly is of any assistance, consider it done!
Cheers,
AndrewL
Have you thought of helping Sir George with the steck parts? I've said I'll have a go at some system x for Sir Pleamo......Arrrrgghhh what have I let myself in for 8}
Beautiful pictures Tiermann I which I had the skill to do something like that. Mine would look like a 4yr olds stick buildings in comparison :lol:
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This all sounds absolutely fantastic! :love:
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so now tiermann is "jumping on board" too. :wave:
in one year i have no doubt that all the system-x pieces will be 3d-scanned and a lot of new ones designed. :yup:
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So sorry that I don't have posted at last weekend as I promised, and tiermann and Emma, please excuse me, that I have not send you my files yet, I really had some hard days...
BUT, meanwhile there has happend a lot... a discounter in Germany has had a special offer last week, namely the 4296 Church for only 19,99 EUR 8} ...and yes I bought one... well actually I bought three of them ;D :lol:, but anyway... Now I have continued the part-library with the parts of that set (but it's not finished yet).
Because some of the parts of the church and the 4250 the fairytalecastle, now this set maybe will worked out (hopefully) by Emma. (So Emma, I am going to mail you in a minute)
...again short in time so just have a look at the new parts...
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Wow! Those are great,
Nice job. :)
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nice pictures sir pleamo. :love:
i guess there are more variations of system-x parts that i thought. ::)
this is one of the problems of being a monofamily collector (pirates, of course). :)
8} somehow i keep thinking on indianna's plugs and martin miilner's surface decoration as a way to "fill" system-x holes - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4623.0 (by the way, thank you socrates for starting tha thread)
:) these are so obvious that i hope geobra really has a spie here :lens: .
changing topic, i found some "large" pictures of some system-x components.
maybe they will help with the 3-d database.
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some more...
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... and more
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:inlove:
I am looking forward to see my own drafts in these 3D models...
Great job, well done! :clap:
Did anyone ever do a building instruction with this program?
Would be interesting to know how playmo are doing theirs?!
best,
socrates
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nice pictures sir pleamo. :love:
changing topic, i found some "large" pictures of some system-x components.
maybe they will help with the 3-d database.
...all these parts allready are in the library, really ALL OF THEM ;D ;D ;D
:inlove:
Did anyone ever do a building instruction with this program?
Would be interesting to know how playmo are doing theirs?!
Yes, I have done a few, I will render them and can show you some in a few days. I also did a manual for use the parts within the Program, but at the moment it is only available in German, so I have to translate it in English first.
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Yes, I have done a few, I will render them and can show you some in a few days. I also did a manual for use the parts within the Program, but at the moment it is only available in German, so I have to translate it in English first.
:o
I would love to have the german version. :)
best,
socrates
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:) i have just asked sylvia if this thread could be joined with richard's "steck designer wanted" - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4514.0 - and with socrates "a new construction system for playmobil" - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4623.0 - in the same section (maybe this one).
::) i feel that the ideas and capabilities that came up in all these threads can "help" eachother.
richard's original idea was to "find someone who can revamp Playmobil's SystemX and Steck Systems so that they work together and work better" and this is something that is somehow "lost" - the "steck" thread has been "dead" for almost 2 months and the "new construction" for almost 4 months. :'(
;) maybe we can bring it back to life again.
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Great idea, cachalote to connect all these threats! Wow, what a powerful community! Experts and a lot of creative minds that's what make things big!
meanwhile: ...just some news about the 3d-database:
some western theme parts are also finished. e.g. the walls of the fort 3023.
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. . . in one year i have no doubt that all the system-x pieces will be 3d-scanned and a lot of new ones designed. :yup:
This quote reminds me of a question I had when I first looked at SketchUp a year or two ago: would it be possible to scan Playmobil parts as a way of getting the images into SketchUp?
How do Sir Pleamo and Sir George create their SketchUp images? It looks to me as if they are "drawn" using SketchUp tools as opposed to being 3D scanned. These gentlemen have tremendous skill in creating these wonderful images (and I can't wait to see what Emma comes up with - she is also very artistic!) I suspect that it is very time consuming to create images in this way. As an alternative method, has anyone actually used a 3D scanner to create Playmobil image files? I know that 3D scanners are difficult to come by (expensive!) but that seems like an easier method in the long run.
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This quote reminds me of a question I had when I first looked at SketchUp a year or two ago: would it be possible to scan Playmobil parts as a way of getting the images into SketchUp?
No, unfortunaly this would not work.
How do Sir Pleamo and Sir George create their SketchUp images? It looks to me as if they are "drawn" using SketchUp tools as opposed to being 3D scanned. These gentlemen have tremendous skill in creating these wonderful images (and I can't wait to see what Emma comes up with - she is also very artistic!)
No, the "drawn-like" character comes from different methods of rendering the 3d-files (e.g. compare the different pics in my posts). In fact all the parts are "handmade"... but, surely, there is no need to reinvent the wheel twice, if you have made some "standards" you can build up on those... that means, the more parts are designed the faster the next ones will be finished! Sir George I wants to finish (nearly) all Steck-parts until christmas, the same I could not promise for Sys-X... these are much to many. But at the moment there are over 100 parts finished (and growing!!!), but...
I suspect that it is very time consuming to create images in this way.
...in this point you are right!
As an alternative method, has anyone actually used a 3D scanner to create Playmobil image files? I know that 3D scanners are difficult to come by (expensive!) but that seems like an easier method in the long run.
mmmh, do not give up, really good things need time! I don't think that 3d-scans would make thinks easier, because with "handmade" designs you build up everytime from the same base. Thats realy important when using the files to build something with. It's a question of matching. By the way, yes,right, I have send some files to Emma and Tiermann, so let's wait. But again, when the parts are finished then creativity starts, until that day its just a question of hard work!
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very hard work i should say sir pleamo. :wow:
i am so glad you joined us. :)
... and i feel so guilty not to have the time to help. :-[
will it be possible to 3-d model the "topographic" base pla tes of some sets? ???
i was thinking of the islands (of course) and i have a feeling that it will be very hard - no constant x, y or z dimensions. :hmm:
in another thread - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=5901.0 - i talked about my frustration with the "incomplete" 7718 ds set.
it would be so nice if - at lest viratually - there was a way to complete its sand beach. :)
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:thanks: Thank you for the very informative reply, Sir Pleamo! I am glad to hear that the terrifically talented Tim Tiermann is also working on this. :)
In the meantime I have been taking another look at SketchUp and also doing some more researching of 3D scanning. I can see now why 3D scanning would not be a good match for SketchUp, if only because the resulting files are so very large and seem to involve complicated things like "meshes." :(o):
I did come across something very interesting, though, which might be useful to those of us who are new to using SketchUp:
SketchUp for Dummies by Aidan Chopra (http://www.aidanchopra.com/tableofcontents)
This fellow has put together some excellent instructional videos for using SketchUp - I have been viewing the videos from Chapter 8 "Modeling from Photographs" - very helpful and easy to understand.
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Indianna, this is really cool! The videos are very clear and easy to follow! Im gonna try some of this and if it is as easy as it looks I might join this project!! I would love to contribute!
Gaston :wave:
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Thanks for the videos Indianna. :)
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:) thank you indianna,
:) maybe i can gather some time to start undestanding sketchup with the help of your videos (i am an mainly an autocad man).
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Me too Cachalote. It's a lot different from Autocad though.
Are you an architect or ingeneer? :wave:
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GREAT! The ice is broken!
Yes, make yourselfs familiar with SketchUp. (There are also some good books if you are really interested in SketchUp)
AND,as I promised I am working out an (additional) manual just concerning the stuff how to use the part files and how to build up huge SysX buildings! But this will take a little time!
(...again when anyone wants to have the finished parts, just send me a PM.)
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As it happens I found that my preferred modeling program MoI is able to export to Sketchup format just fine. I tried a quick project doing one of the more difficult shaped shields as a test. Here is what it ended up looking like in Sketchup.
(http://animobil.info/playmo/shieldindentskp.jpg)
So I think it will be no problem making things for me. We just need to get coordinated on what needs doing. :)
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I have a question....I use PC, not mac....will it work for you guys what I draw, and will I be able to use your libraries? Are they compatible in this case?
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I have a question....I use PC, not mac....will it work for you guys what I draw, and will I be able to use your libraries? Are they compatible in this case?
I guess most of us use PC not Mac, but anyway it depends on the programs running. So yes, one of the goals at least I like to follow is that all peolple could use these libraries.
I don't really get the point what you mean with "what I draw" but yes it only depens on the the file-formate. BUT and that's a real big but, first we should discuss the standards so that all parts from different sources would match with each other. For that I hope we could work something out and since Tiermann and maybe Emma has reinforced me in designing parts, I'm looking forward that we could establish a (firstly small) group of developers. As I has allready discussed with Emma, my position is that too many cookers will spoil the soup. Don't get me wrong, all should do what ever they want to do, but putting the parts together in a "nearly" official library (that's really my hope) will require same standard criteria. So if anyone likes to join let it me know. If that it was what you ment by "what I draw", great and a warm welcome!
In this sense I guess it would be the best to open a new thread for such a developer group to discuss tecnical stuff and what Tiermann mentioned a coordination of which parts are designed by whom, etc.
So I think it will be no problem making things for me. We just need to get coordinated on what needs doing. :)
GREAT! Now I guess this really get started. So Tiermann, what would you say about open up a new "designer"-group thread? When I get you right, you are with me, aren't you?
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Hi Sir Pleamo.
Well yes by "what I draw" I meant if I joined this group of developers. I had been wondering if PC and Mac were compatible as Im using a PC and assumed most of you were using Mac, but I guess it is no problem here.
I will let you know for sure if I join in. I first want to try the program. Im used to Autocad which is a lot different but not so much.
My only problem is that I don't have many steck or system x parts. Just a 5301, a couple of western houses and a system x police station. So, we'll se how that works.
I also think it is importan coordination for how the group will do the parts and who makes what.
I think I can try something out this weekend and then let you know for sure. I hope I can help-
Best regards.
Gaston
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I am on PC. The operating system isn't as important as the file formats used. There are 2 types of 3D construction. NURBS and Polygrams, the difference in the mathematics used to calculate. Sketchup uses Polys - each image is made of lots of small angled pieces. This is great for rectangular shapes, but if you look close enough at a circle you find it is made up of lots of small flat sides instead of an actual circle. NURBS is great for shapes like circles because it isn't made of the flat sides. You can easily save a NURBS model into polys, but it is difficult to convert back the other way. Since Sir Pleamo has been using Poly modeling I wont be able to take advantage of existing pieces he created to base new ones on. I will have to come up with a NURBS version of a model first and then save it to the Poly version in a Sketchup format. This is easier than it sounds perhaps, but it means I will need to duplicate at least one part to be sure they are the same scale when compared. Sketchup is to scale and if you load the parts they are small - actual Playmobil sized in measurement. I can do this with my program so as long as the conversion keeps the size the same we are fine.
I think a designer group thread would be a good idea, so we don't have to bore people with technical talk like this post :P
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:wave: hello all,
:-\ i kind of disagree with you on the need for a new thread.
no matter how thecnical the discussion will be i think it should be hosted here.
:-[ of course, being this thread "father" my oppinion will never be totally independent.
the way i see it personal messages can enormously help all the "little" things.
... and i believe you all want to design with system-x and this thread is called "system-x designer wanted".
if you all think differently go ahead - and i am not reaaly giving my permission because that would be absurd in a "free" place like this forum.
:hmm: meanwhile, i can see what the problem is between nurbs and polys.
;) but maybe polys are not that bad if you consider that sooner or later the need for a 3-d model of some "topographic" objects will be needed (i hope that sooner rather than later and i hope you can start with sandy beaches holding pirates fortresses).
with polys you can develop a grid of x and y fixed dimension and then, at each intersection, measure z.
a little bit like archaelogists do in their surveys.
one of the things that should be "decided" among all would have to be the "narrownes" of the grid.
... and also if the orientation(s) of the grid - instead of a perpendicular x and y (as i suggested above) maybe the ideal horizontal grid (where heights would be inserted) would be a triangular (and thus also hexagonal) one.
this would allow to transform curved sufaces in several triangular flat planes - as you know a plane can be obtained just with 3 points and a 4th one would only get in the way tending to turn everything into helixes (something quite imcompatible with polys).
8} but maybe this needs yet a lot of work to be prepared.
:) as sir pleamo and tiermann say the start up point would be to have a similar criteria for the "building" of all existing parts.
i have a suggestion - as sir pleamo looks to be the first one in this "race" and he is the one that created a library of all the parts he has done he should be the one to first suggest a method.
this would include all the properties (scale included) that he is inserting on each 3-d model.
i think that sketchup (an open program) should be the bassis for this models.
at the same time everyone that knows something about this subject should find a site that could host all the library files that could be accessed by all of "us".
then, a lot of problems still persist (none of them unsolvable).
one of them (as an example) is the naming and organization of parts.
playmodb.org is no doubt a good way to give numbers to existing parts and maybe "joining" them in folders named after the playmobil families (castles, pirates, modern buidings, etc.) could be simple - again also using playmodb and (of course) with the need to duplicate files (the same pieces appear in several sets).
:love: as one of my teachers said "if men were able to get to the moon there is a solution for everything - the only problem can be its price".
i am sure that, in this case, there is a possibility to achive something priceless - the same knowledge playmobil offical designers have on what are the parts that exist (and i am assuming they know it although with the recent pre-fab-finished-can't-be-attached-to-anything sets i sometimes have doubts).
... and with this knowledge new parts and new sets can be presented and thy will be so beautiful that geobra will have no other option than to build them.
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:wave: hello all,
:hmm: meanwhile, i can see what the problem is between nurbs and polys.
;) but maybe polys are not that bad if you consider that sooner or later the need for a 3-d model of some "topographic" objects will be needed (i hope that sooner rather than later and i hope you can start with sandy beaches holding pirates fortresses).
Cachalote, is it possible, that you can read minds? That is exactly what I was going to do next... the sandy beaches... and right I guess TIN-based (Polygon) programs have their limits but for our use it will be okay. Also Tiermann has shown us, that NURBS-programs are able to save skp-files (although a proof of matching is left open at the moment). I have just attached a pic of a curvy surface made in SketchUp, and I think it's okay.
to the topic if a new thread is needed I didn't had in mind to kill this thread or to bore others but that we can focus ONLY on technical stuff, the results etc. would be published here, of course. I guess it will be much easier to make such standard separately because they are so important that it would be a pity if they get lost in the "public discussion". Again, please get me right, I LOVE this thread and that kind of involving as many as possible, but... ;D
Maybe you are right, PM or mails are very important in this context anyway...
By the way, I guess I will not have the time to post or work on this project until weekend, sorry about that.
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. . . I have just attached a pic of a curvy surface made in SketchUp, and I think it's okay. . .
There's your sandy beach, cachalote! :captain: Or a great start, anyway.
Sir Pleamo, I think you are correct that it would be a good idea to separate the technical stuff, such as parts libraries and Playmo-specific instructions, from this on-going (and excellent!) discussion. Perhaps you and cachalote could ask Sylvia to create a "sticky" thread for this purpose. (My personal favorite "sticky" thread appears right here in the How-To forum: "Beheading Children!!!" :lol: )
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It looks like my program saves to correct sizes and imports correctly. This is a part comparison done in Sketchup. Mine is the one on the right, Sir Pleamo's is on the left. It's in perspective but actual height is the same. I've sent a copy of mine to Sir Pleamo - please check your rot email, I've sent 2 mails recently.
(http://animobil.info/playmo/3d/compare.jpg)
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Hi everyone, first of all I feel a bit embarrassed here :-[ I've never done any cad work at all, the closest I've gotten is using paint program on windows to make up patterns. So I'm not sure how much help I'm going to be :'(
I've just had a look at Sir Pleamo's files he sent me and they are AMAZING :o Hats off to a master. Brillant detail!
I think Cachalote is right about trying to keep all this together on one thread so it's easier to find. I don't really know about the technical things every ones writing about but I can still glance over it and later on when I've got a better understanding I'll at least know where to find it.
I will try to set some time aside at the weekend to work through the first few tutorials on sketch-up with the aim of creating my first part soon- fingers crossed. I might be a bit slow and not have much time but I will try to contribute to this amazing idea.
So well done and many thanks to all involved.
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I think you will do great Emma. You have wonderful design sense. I'm going to need to learn how to use Sketchup properly myself. I am using MoI to make the parts because I am very familiar with it and it has some nifty tools - like curved corners on squares and the ability to mirror on a diagonal. Making that part I did I made one of the connection holes and then was able to mirror it to the other end of the piece, than mirror them both on the diagonal to put them on the next side over as well. Sketchup may well be able to do that also but I would spend more time trying to find the tool and figuring out how to use it than I did to make the whole part in the program I'm familiar with. Anyway for actually constructing buildings I would be best to learn Sketchup and then save them out as a different file format so I can put them in my preferred rendering program.
I think parts I make myself will end up being saved in 3 different file formats - .3dm .skp and .obj - it's a quick and easy thing to do and would make them useful to just about anyone.
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an organization proposal...
:hmm: o.k. guys let me know if you agree with this solution.
;) silence will mean consent if you don't mind.
a) we mantain this thread for all the "general" issues.
b) i ask sylvia to create a sticky where all system-x parts can shown in a .gif or.jpg or.png files with a direct link to an external database where the actual sketchup files are kept.
this sticky would be used only for the publication of parts (no chit-chat) maybe with an introduction message repeated on all threads asking people not to insert anything else.
a confession ...
:-[ although i am an architect (and like to think i know a thing or two about geometry) i was foolish to assume that you all had the same difficulties that i feared i would have with files and modelling strategies.
:wow: it is clear that you are very comfortable around this problems (much, much more than i am) and that you can create whatever models you desire.
:yup: the images you showed, tiermann, are superb.
:yup: the same with you sir pleamo - and i was stunned with sketchup capabilities to create apparent curved surfaces (the sandy beach relly looks amazing). :love:
... and emma, the first thing you need to have to learn something new is the will to do it - and that you clearly already have. the rest just follows (i am also an university teacher and one of the few things i have learned for sure is this). :yup:
a request ...
:-[ as i am obviously the less skilled individual here maybe i could just take care of the organization of little things - like asking sylvia to do organize the threads and ask people to help with some things (the finding of a site to host the library would be the next "need").
i can also provide some knowledge of the playmo-pirate family if needed.
so, for everything else - the important stuff - i suggest that you can all speak to each-other with a "french revolution" spirit - liberty, equality, fraternity. :)
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It will depend on the final size of the files. The ones Sir Pleamo sent me take up about 45MB of space. I can offer up to 3-4 G of space at Animobil for the time being to host files.
I have some concerns about having the files be directly accessible from the forum. There are other possibilities we might take a look at. This is Sir Pleamo's project and it is up to him how he would like to deal with the files.
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I'm reading this thread with vicarious enjoyment and anticipation - vicarious because I know better than to jump into a whole new large project when I'm overdrawn on free time as it is! But I'm willing to help in ways that won't suck me under completely. I can host the model files, and link to them from the part pages at PlaymoDB. I've already got the part numbers and descriptions all set up, and all I'd need would be a cross-reference from part number to model filename. I can set it to be accessed from the site only, from the forum as well, or to the world at large, if you want.
In a win-win type of scenario, I see a couple of advantages to PlaymoDB from this:
I'd like to take advantage of the models to provide a search based on SIZE, if that's possible. Too often there's a generic part that can only be described by its function, which is not obvious when it's isolated from its set; so if a searcher can specify that it's 30mm by 60mm by 15mm and is white, that's narrowing down the field a great deal, without have to guess keywords or categories. There are some parts with measurements in the German description (taken from the German Ersatzteile pages) but not nearly enough to be useful, so I haven't incorporated them yet.
I'd like to host image files created from the models, both in the orientation shown in the plans and from other views, side- and back- for example, possibly more useful for identifying a part.
Colours, too, have to be specifically set in models, so if I can use your collective decisions to accurately name the colours (or at least use the same colour name for parts that are actually the same colour, and different for different) that will increase my accuracy as well. Every new piece of data helps!
Other features like "number of sockets" would be relatively easy to retrieve from model data as well, I expect. What else would be useful to count? Handholds/rods? Clips? System X knobs, or round knobs? Steck ins and outs, if you're doing those?
Using the model data is all eventual as I get programming time! But to write a new box on a part-page that takes a part number, checks for model existence, and gives back the model image and a link to the model data would be pretty swift.
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That would certainly be great Heather. If we could find a way to record an animation of the part rotating that wouldn't be too bulky in file size it would be ideal.
There is a Ruby Script to export directly from Sketchup to a .obj file located at http://sites.google.com/site/jimfoltz02/ObjExporter.rb (http://sites.google.com/site/jimfoltz02/ObjExporter.rb) You install it by inserting it into the Plugins file in your Sketchup program folder. It works nicely.
Here is an image of Sir Pleamo's Lamp model exported to .obj and imported into Vue. I changed the material to brass and put it into an ocean scene for the render. (render means taking a picture of it in the 3D software)
(http://animobil.info/playmo/3d/lamp.jpg)
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That would certainly be great Heather. If we could find a way to record an animation of the part rotating that wouldn't be too bulky in file size it would be ideal.
Sure: Animated GIF would be fine, maybe six or eight views around, or over the top, as was useful. Probably something the quality of your white-column-comparison picture, to keep the size down... the full renders are lovely but would be rather large!
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:woohoo: ah, ah, we have another sailor on board.
:wow: thank you for offering your help sbblabotw/heather - i think it will really be precious.
maybe we should wait for the weekend to see what sir pleamo has to say to all this.
as playmodb is a non-profitable organization i guess it would be o.k. (if you sell it to geobra don't forget to invite us for a lunch).
as you, i tend to not to put the cart in front of the oxes (a portuguese saying) but i see here a great opportunity to make geobra see what can be done with their products (i know they can be very short-sighted but let's not loose faith).
;) as i see it, at the end of all this you and sir pleamo will be hired by geobra to put together the best 3-d database the toy industry has ever seen - and you will be pais generously.
... but, staying on topic, the "who (and how) will have access" remains a question unanswered. :hmm:
sir pleamo should be the one to answer it. :yup:
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
WOW, I have not read all details yet because I can't keep up my concentration just because such GREAT THINGS happened in only these two days while I had not the time to check up what's going on here...
WOW Heather is maybe with us! I can't believe it! :love: :love: :love:
tierman is doing a brilliant job!!! :love: :love: :love:
cachalote bring himself to the man of public relation of this project! :love: :love: :love:
I really love all of you!
Excuse my emotionality, but what has started on my computer just for my private use seems to get bigger than all my dreams! It's absolute unbelievable!
For short:
@Heather: yapp, animated gif I guess is a brilliant solution (see the picture). And sorry for only that short answer, but believe me your post is in my eyes so important, that I will answer in DETAIL soon.
@Emma: It looks that this project is not dead in a week, so you need time? Take all the time you want! I am so glad that you are (even if it will be only mentally) with us! I love your creativity and your designs!
Okay, I will check all the posts and mails and all the stuff and answer as fast as possible! Promised!!!
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:) anxiously waiting...
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So here's my first part - the wall unit cabinet piece.
(http://animobil.info/playmo/3d/30243940-cabinet-wall-unit.jpg)
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and now shelves and cupboard for it
(http://animobil.info/playmo/3d/wall-unit-cupboard-shelves2.jpg)
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:banana:
It is so exciting to see the wonderful way that this project is taking shape!
. . . I am working out an (additional) manual just concerning the stuff how to use the part files and how to build up huge SysX buildings! . . .
By any chance, will this manual include some tips on creating the files to begin with? Normally I enjoy just plunging into learning something like SketchUp in it's entirety, but my time is limited until approx. February, so I can't spend as much time as I would like to learn SketchUp thoroughly. If there were some simple Playmo-specific instructions, though, I might be able to create some files. Even though I am a Steck lover through and through, I also have a considerable amount of SystemX (which I do like very much, too!) and I could work on both. :)
Maybe it would be a good idea to find a way to let each other know which files are being worked on, to avoid duplication of effort. Perhaps an "assignment list" could be kept in the same location as the file links?
Thank you, Heather, for jumping in and offerring to host the files! The ability to cross reference at Playmodb by part number will be tremendously helpful, especially as the library of parts files grows larger. This might also be another step toward creating a "parts wanted" database as has been discussed in the recent past.
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Cachalote :wave:, here is your sandy beach (the first part, plants are following... ;D)
By any chance, will this manual include some tips on creating the files to begin with?
Yes yes yes, all this should and will be included, but sorry it needs some more time... :(
The reason is, that we (at least tiermann and I) have started right now to define the standards to be used, so this is the first step, then the manual will be "updated" and published here. I promise you that it will come soon!
And...
Maybe it would be a good idea to find a way to let each other know which files are being worked on, to avoid duplication of effort. Perhaps an "assignment list" could be kept in the same location as the file links?
...this is also in work. I am going to make an Excel-list with all part numbers, information, author etc. This list will be updated every time when new parts are ready.
@Heather: I have sent you a PM because I guess there are more than just some important questions... But yes, the partnumbers are included in the file names yet, but what ever you need, it will be possible. Right, colors are standardized in this project and all data you were talking about could be established somehow. The question of hosting is not cleared at the moment, but first of all I guess the infrastructure must be build up (standardization of dimensions, colors, manuals, naming-questions...).
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Just a nice update of the beach... but uups who has stolen the leaves? ;D
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. . . By any chance, will this manual include some tips on creating the files to begin with?
. . . Yes yes yes, all this should and will be included, but sorry it needs some more time... :(
Sir Pleamo, please do not worry about how much time it takes - this is a huge undertaking and you have already done so much in such a short time! It will take a while for most of us just to catch up with you. I am just so grateful that you have shared this wonderful project with us here at Playmofriends! :love:
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:wow: thank you so much for the beach sir pleamo - it looks really wonderful :love: .
and the palm tree - i am speachless. :-[
... i thought sketchup would be much more limited in "curved" surfaces but i guess i wasn't right. :hmm:
... and i bet your skills have something to do with it - a tool is just as fantastic as his user can make it be. :)
so, i can see the standards to be used are already being fine tunned between you and tiermann - an important and primordial step. :)
if you don't mind my suggestion, could this list of "done" parts be published here (a sticky) and continuously updated (i can take the work to take it out from an excel file and publish it here) ? :hmm:
this way, somewhere in the future a link could be created for each part so that its files could be accessed - maybe a link to playmodb if you and heather agree on the important issues, maybe a link to the actual sketchup files if you decide to make them accessible).
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:wow: thank you so much for the beach sir pleamo - it looks really wonderful :love: .
and the palm tree - i am speachless. :-[
... i thought sketchup would be much more limited in "curved" surfaces but i guess i wasn't right. :hmm:
... and i bet your skills have something to do with it - a tool is just as fantastic as his user can make it be. :)
Yes, SketchUp is not as bad as some people think (oh, by the way SketchUp 8 is available now). But as you said, it's just a tool! I guess the major skill one should have is the ability to imagine possible ways of solutions independent from a tool box. Yes, curvy surfaces are not the strength of SketchUp but limitation not means impossibility!
so, i can see the standards to be used are already being fine tunned between you and tiermann - an important and primordial step. :)
Yapp, we are in deep contact about that!
if you don't mind my suggestion, could this list of "done" parts be published here (a sticky) and continuously updated (i can take the work to take it out from an excel file and publish it here) ? :hmm:
this way, somewhere in the future a link could be created for each part so that its files could be accessed - maybe a link to playmodb if you and heather agree on the important issues, maybe a link to the actual sketchup files if you decide to make them accessible).[/font]
Yeah sounds great... I will contact you soon concerning about the list (I guess via email). At the moment there are some more things to be done behind the scene, and if it's okay I really love to ask you for some of them. I guess I will launch a first package on November 1st (maybe some days later). I hope until that day some more details are cleared, so that this will be the first "official" in the sense of standardized set of parts (let's call it Version 1.0 ).
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i asked sylvia - and she said yes and she is willing to help :) - if my method of "organizing" things would be possible.
this is what i suggested:
- a modification of the first message in this thread so that an introduction should de added explaining this "project" with a link to the "sticky" that i describe below.
- the creation of a locked sticky (unlockable by sylvia to make updates) - that would permanently appear at the begining of the "how to" section - containing a list of all the parts that are already 3d-modelled.
each part would have a link to a .gif at playmodb (if an agreement can be reached between heather and sir pleamo and tiermann) and a link to an external database (still to be defined) with the actual sketchup files (if sir pleamo and tiermann want to make them fully available).
if all this is o.k. with you i will need help finding the right place to host the files.
it should be a "private" place to avoid copyright issues with geobra, accessible only to some (wich ones and how can this be done i don't know). :hmm:
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Just a quick post to say that although this is totally beyond my capabilities I have been following this thread and am so impressed with what has been done so far - keep up the good work! :clap: :clap: :clap:
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
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thank you skypurr. :)
let's see how far we can take this. ;)
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keep up the good work! :clap: :clap: :clap:
I just can second Elaine!
This is a great project - and I am completely sure that this will become a very important contribution to the collectors world! I imagine an exchange of building plans as we are right now exchanging links from playmodb... :love:
So, let's try how far we can get with this... :)
best,
socrates
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Is anybody having trouble with sketchup 8?? It doesn't work fine either at the office nor at my home pc. I can't figure out what the problem is but I can't see my guide lines for instance, they are there, but invisible..... I have some other problems... can anyone think of a solution? or I jsut should uninstall it and start all over?
Cheers.
Gaston
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Hi Gaston!
I can't be much help as I am just learning SketchUp too, but I tried going to the SketchUp help forum and did a search on the term "invisible guide lines" (http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/sketchup/thread?tid=1ab45ca1d9c360d9&hl=en) - I don't know if your answer can be found there but you might try some other questions there. :)
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Hi Gaston!
I can't be much help as I am just learning SketchUp too, but I tried going to the SketchUp help forum and did a search on the term "invisible guide lines" (http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/sketchup/thread?tid=1ab45ca1d9c360d9&hl=en) - I don't know if your answer can be found there but you might try some other questions there. :)
Thank you indianna. I'll try that again. I did it with no results! I'll keep trying.
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Is anybody having trouble with sketchup 8?? It doesn't work fine either at the office nor at my home pc. I can't figure out what the problem is but I can't see my guide lines for instance, they are there, but invisible..... I have some other problems... can anyone think of a solution? or I jsut should uninstall it and start all over?
Cheers.
Gaston
Well, SketchUp 8 seems to be published a little bit too early, it has some strange bugs. Most Problems seems to come from the Plug-Ins, so try to deactivate all of them. The Ruby-Script makes sometimes problems... But all in all SU8 is a little bit slower too. If you have installed more than one SU (e.g. SU7 and SU8) this causes problems too. Maybe it helps! Oh, by the way clear the not used temps regulary. You also could try to repair the installation instead uninstall the program...
In this sense good luck!
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...a more complex model (now with this crane 3112 is definitely completed):
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:o wow, "the" crane - one of my preferred playmo parts. :love:
thank you so much sir pleamo, you are a true "master". :wow:
cranes always make me remember of a time i had to climb to a big abandoned one to fix a "jumping" halyard from the top of my uncle's boat.
everything went fine while i was climbing but to stay at the end of the rusty crane's "arm" swinging with the wind (lying with my belly down) and trying to "fish" the mast's top (also swinging with the moving water) with one hand is something that still today gives me the creeps.
12 meters in this situation seem as high as 60.
... but not to deviate too much from the subject, this crane comes from a time when geobra still tried to do sets with a "close" link to reality. :)
this crane is actually very similar to a "real" small crane to hoyst small boats and its mechanics work fine. :)
maybe this 3d project - in its future "free" aproach to design new system-x parts - can convince geobra to abandon its we-really-try-to-impress-dumb-children recent design trend :'( (but children are really not that stupid) and go back to hans beck's efforts to make things "work". ;)
in his times this equilibrium between a toy-look and a real-look was so wonderfully achieved.
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thanx sir pleamo. I'll try that too!
That crane is awesome!!!! Really great!!!
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Having shown this to Junior he has shown interest in having a go at this.
Could anyone tell us how to go about getting sketchup - is it sketchup 8 that we need, what does it cost etc?
We are on a pc not mac.
Thanks,
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
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:wave: hello elaine,
:) i am glad you decided to give it a try.
you can start by google's sketchup home page - http://sketchup.google.com/.
then you have 2 kinds of products:
- sketchup
http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/product/gsu.html
it's a free download meant for "recreational" purposes
- sketchup pro (8)
http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/product/gsup.html
it costs you 495 u.s.d. ant it is meant to be used professionaly.
you have a "help" page - http://sketchup.google.com/support/ - that can help you with all the questions you have. (i am still at this "stage").
:) sir pleamo will no doubt help you deciding how to start.
:o he is even producing a manual for this.
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The free version should be all that's needed for this type of project.
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Having shown this to Junior he has shown interest in having a go at this.
Could anyone tell us how to go about getting sketchup - is it sketchup 8 that we need, what does it cost etc?
We are on a pc not mac.
Thanks,
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
Yes you need Sketch Up 8 (or at least 7).
If you are not familiar with 3D- and/or graphical programs it will be a little tricky to find your way in, but there is a lot of support in the net. As cachalote already mentioned, I will publish a manual for the use of the parts in SketchUp soon, but this will take some more time.
If you have further questions, ask :)
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Thanks for that, we'll give it a try.
Junior is doing design graphics at school so he will have much more idea of what to do than I have!
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
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...autumn is coming, winter is near. All the animals prepare for this time and begin to reduce activity... and so do humans too?
It has been a long silence here right now... Well I personally have not posted because I have had a major computer problem... BUT NOW:
I have just sent a pre-release of a little more than 200 parts to some of the "grand seniors" of this thread, so yes, the day of the first major package comes closer!
Here is a small preview:
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This is an amazing job Sir Pleamo!!! :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: respect for the knowledge, time, money and effort put into this!!! Please keep up the good work!!!
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That is an amazing structure, Sir Pleamo! Thanks for keeping this project going. :hatoff:
I hope to have some time in the near future (maybe after the winter holidays) to participate more fully - until then I will look forward to seeing everything that you and the other "grand seniors" are able to accomplish. :)
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NOW THE TIME HAS COME!!!
After receiving messages from nearly all persons that I have sent the test-version of the first part-package, it's time to share it with all of you!
I was a little bit sad, that so little activity was in this thread the last weeks, but cachalote encouraged me in writing to me: "sooner or later the initial speed would have to slow down", I guess he is right... BUT now I am anxious for your responses to these parts within your hands!
The download Link will be available DEFINITELY ON THIS SATURDAY (November 20).
...well, I know, because of I am the creator of these parts, my judgement will be biased, but I think this will lift up sharing construction ideas to a new level.
Those who know my project from the very beginning, will remember that all started with the idea to build a huge 17th century harbour named "Port Pleamo" (guess where my avatar is from!) but haven't the space to build it in real... and so a very little part of this harbour was good enough for a testing the files. And by watching the added pictures you can convince yourself of the potential of this 3D-project for planing dioramas, save your ideas or just to explore new designs...
So return to this thread on Saturday at the latest!
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WOW! :o
Amazing! I once had several (five?) 3112. ...and I sold them all... :doh:
I completely agree that this would bring sharing building plans to a completely new level! :love:
thanks for sharing.
socrates
P.S.: I will install the software right now on my computer. Looking forward to your parts!
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8} this is an incredibly great creation, sir pleamo.
:love: i always loved the "port" and island sets from playmobil - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4690.0 by the way - but you what you show us brings this love to another level.
in the past tiermann spoke of a wish to have a cad system that could be used for playmobil - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=1996.0 - but you were the one to make this possibility "real".
a lot of people are interested in this - if you type "building system" in the search engine of this forum's home page, you wil find a lot of entries - but i think now there is really a "path" openned for virtual system-x creations.
in the past i had a different idea about playmobil's "construction" potential (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=2115.0) but now i have to say that i was wrong.
:) with system-x this potential is clearly visible and thank you sir pleamo for showing us that.
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Wow! this is truly amazing!!!! :o :o :o
I wish I had more time to spend on this project. Hopefully soon!
This is an excellent job!!!
Congrats Sir Pleamo!
(BTW I LOVE your avatar!) :wave:
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Amazing work Sir Pleamo!!! Trully amazing work!!! I love it!!! and wish I had enough pieces to build it!!!
Congratulations Sir!!
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Amazing! :clap: :clap: :clap:
Extraordinary! :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:
Magnificent!
Truly a marvel of engineering.
Your Port is great Sir Pleamo . ;D
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are all these existing pieces? (sorry Im no expert in this subject) or did you designed some? :)
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okay okay I have to say sorry for the delay :-\
I guess for those of you which do not have small children the word "definitely" means something totally different than to those that have such children (I guess they will know what I mean :lol:). In fact my boy was ill last weekend... so no time for things here, then the week started with its daily work... so no time for things here...
But tonight I have some time and HERE WE GO!
3D-X-Library Package 1.0 is out!!!
I will offer you now some download links where you can get
1) the first package with over 215 parts called "The 3D-X-Library 1.0"
3D-X-Library (http://remixshare.com/dl/5uriiwdiiy89xdt/3D_X_Library_Package._1_0.zip)
2) a short manual (Quick start) and some tutorial videos
quick start and tutorials (http://remixshare.com/dl/yr5hvzlme352771/manual_and_tutorials.zip)
3) some example files (e.g. the "Port Pleamo")
examples (http://remixshare.com/dl/h92calmmpec0x9s/models_and_examples.zip)
BUT I follow the opinion of cachalote and so some downloads are password protected (the manuals are not protected). Why I have decided to do that is explained in the manual, but for short: I do not want to risk that Geobra will stop that project because of some copyright issue. But this is not really a problem for you, anyone interested in the parts (from this forum) can request this password via PM and I will send it quickly. That also means PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THE LIBRARY BY YOUR OWN! I hope there will be a better solution in the future (and cachalote and I are thinking about some solutions at the moment) but for now this is the way!
Some words to the release, all this is "handmade" so there might be some mistakes or bugs in some parts (I hope not but that's not for sure), so please report me every little thing which might help to improve this Library.
The manual is VERY SHORT but it's really hard to manage designing the parts AND a documentation in my short free time. I guess like the part-library the documentation will grow and get better with the time. There are (at the moment 2) tutorial videos as well. When I have the time I will make some more. But again, if you have any questions, comments or notes just let it me know, so that we now can get really fun with these parts.
AND PLEASE, If you have done a construction show it and share it with us, I would be very pleased to see "what my baby does" in the world ;).
That will be enough for the moment... I guess there will be some comments anyway...
only a preview... surely, that's not the end! The next package is already planed! Then one focus will be on roofs, gates, etc. But if you have some parts you really want to have quickly, tell me the part, maybe I will put in on my priority list. Another package coming soon (I guess in the beginning of 2011) will be a "Construction Kit" so that you can design your own parts within some standards to help expanding this project!
In that sense, have fun!
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Oh Sir Pleamo this is AWESOME!! I'll try to manage my time to learn about all this!! Congrats!!! :love:
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Anybody out there? :lens:
Mmh, I hoped to read at least one comment... but none at all :-\ !
Have you tried it out? What are your results? Do you have difficulties?
I wonder if there is still an interest in it?!? I would really like to encourage you downloading the files to take a look on the parts and try some building.
Anyway, if there is no priority what to design, I will continue as I already mentioned and will make the parts that I need for my Port Pleamo. And so, yes, that was the reason why the next release will contain more Roofs and Gates. So have a look at some new parts used in my trading company's building at Port Pleamo... here it comes:
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Wow! your port is absolutely brilliant Hakan! :o :o :o :o :o I love it!!
I did download everthing and I've been cheking it out but I feel bad that haven't gotten time to try anything new yet.
My job gets crazy at Xmas time.......I'll show you as soon as I have something! :wave:
Gaston
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Brilliant port indeed Sir Pleamo!!! Fantastic!!!
I'd really like to have a go myself but know nothing of design software... not to mention I do not have the time to learn... i'll simply have to make time and go through your links...
Fantastic once again Sir!!!
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I am still interested in the project but December is the busiest month for me. I will check in again in January and start on a zoo themed project with related parts.
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Great Building! Absolutely fantastic! :D
I can proudly report that I managed to install the software and import the part list.
Tried to play around a little but then did not have any more time to successfully ensemble something.
But next time there will be more buildings... 8-)
best,
socrates
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Pm sent. :)
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That's an amazing port, Sir Pleamo! :wow:
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Merry Christmas and nice Holidays to all the "designer-fans"!
May there be a lot of Playmo under your tree!
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Merry Xmas to you too Hakan.
I know there will be blue boxes under there! :lol:
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Okay folks, here we go! I hope you all survived X-mas and came well in 2011!
I just want to share with you my new creations, not because there are a few new parts (indeed there are a lot new ones but you can download them in a new package soon). In the last weeks many people asked if and how the parts could be used for planing diaramas and so on. In this sense much more is needed than purly buildings. Well meanwhile I got much experiences in designing Playmo-parts, so that I now really have started to take a try on such non-building parts. Here are some results of these tries, namely the western cannons.
But if you have a closer look to the pictures you might think: mmh it would be nicer to have some Klickys on them... but could it be? Am I really working on some Klickys right now? Who knows?
;D
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Great job on the western Sir Pleamo!! Very Well done!!! :D
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...ups... :(
I guess I have posted the cannon pics too fast, cos after posting I have realized that there is an important detail still missing! Okay again: Voila, the REALLY finished western cannon! ;D
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Hakan you make it look SO easy! :lol: :lol:
Congrats, this also looks great!
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You like it? Okay, here are the ones of the Pirates-theme:
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Great job again!!
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Excellent! :o
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Well, as you all have noticed, my posting has slowed down... have I stopped the project already? No!!! In the very beginning of this thread, there was a posting by AndrewL which has been in my mind all the time I have worked on the parts:
To take things on to the next step: could we build a library of SketchUp models of Klicky parts (torsos, arms, legs, heads, hair, collars, belts, etc.) to enable 'virtual customising'? Once we had the basic shapes of the main parts (torsos, arms, legs, etc.), in most cases it would be a question of the colours/renders applied to the shapes. Building up a library of every colour/printing combination would be a challenge, but we like a challenge, don't we?
At this early stage my answer was:
Yes we do, but believe me a klicky would be a real masterpiece, my experience at the moment teaches me we should do step by step. But you are right in designing not only genuine building parts, I have already some lamps and chests etc. in work... but Klickys? Wow!?!
But we all know, this project is no longer at an early stage! ;D
You now have to decide if this here is really a "masterpiece", but I guess it's a Klicky for sure!
So I proudly present a totally new era in this project! We are now able to design nearly EVERY Part! Here aresome examples of the Klickys:
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... and here are some "blueprints"
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Unbelievable!!!! :o :o :o :o :o
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Amazing!!! :o :o :o
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Sir Pleamo,
These are absolutely amazing! Words fail me! :wow: :clap: :wow: :clap: :wow: :clap: :wow: :clap: :wow: :clap:
I am flattered that you mention my post as some kind of inspiration, but the credit is, without any doubt, all yours!
I will send you a pm to get your SketchUp libraries.
Your work is truly inspiring!
Cheers,
AndrewL
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Among all that could be mentioned the speed by which you get the things done that seemed impossible not long ago is remarkable. :o :o :o
To all: Just get the files and try it. It is really not difficult.
H_M
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And err ... any prospect to fairytale castle parts? :-[
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And err ... any prospect to fairytale castle parts? :-[
YES! In the next package the whole church will be included, so we get nearer to the Castle BUT I personally do not have a fairytale Castle! This makes it nearly impossible for me to include these parts!!! So if someone wants to help, GIVE ME SUCH A CASTLE! ;D
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Oh yes indeed ... we need the church parts too. :-[
Please take your time, you are already so much ahead of the schedule.
Thank you so much again for your work. And the next 3019 I come across will be yours. :)
H_M
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i have been absent for some time, filled up with work, and i've failed to give any assistance to this project (and i feel very bad about it so many times). :-[
it will be like this for me in the near future but i just wanted to say this:
SIR PLEAMO, YOUR WORK IS FANTASTIC
if we could have a vote on who's the best 2010 playmofriend think you should have the title. :)
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Amazing
I am speechless to say anything else. Wouldbe awesome to see old steck and nuremberg guards in it, I am dreaming to see 500 nuremberg guards all lined up !!! I will make a huge poster of it and put it in my playmo den !!!! Is that possible Sir ???
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This is brilliant! :wow: I wish I could do it...
as it would make finding out what my customs would eventually look like
much easier and give me a much better look. :)9
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Wow, say short in time but so many to say...!
Please take your time, you are already so much ahead of the schedule.
Thank you so much again for your work. And the next 3019 I come across will be yours. :)
If you would do so, believe me, then we should not talk about schedule, because I promise you I would work night and day to complete these parts as a payback only for you!
@ cachalote:
CACHALOTE my dear friend! It makes me really happy to have read these short lines! I guess I'm talking for all here in saying we miss you here! I hope all your tasks are going forward!
I am speechless to say anything else. Would be awesome to see old steck and nuremberg guards in it, I am dreaming to see 500 nuremberg guards all lined up !!! I will make a huge poster of it and put it in my playmo den !!!! Is that possible Sir ???
Well, at the moment nothing really seems to be impossible, so yap, there is a chance to do this... mmh, let's have a look. Ups, you might say shame on me, but I do not have a complete "Nürnberger Stadtwache". But in difference to the fairytale castle, this is not really a problem... I guess I have some helmet etc. because the shape didn't changed until today, right?
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Thanks all of you for the congratulations to my birthday... and ups, I have been so ignorant! Some of you voted me as "The Playmofriend of 2010" but I have not realized it (thanks god, that I finaly have not won this vote, there are indeed much more honorable persons here!), some of you have discussed this 3D-project in a larger spectrum, I have not realized it... I really was so busy that I now I nearly feel ashamed to have not reacted to all what has happend in the last time!
So please take it as a reconsilation that I have really worked on to generate new parts. And yes I made some great steps forward for the library: There are so many new parts in it!
Here are some (only a very small selection) of these "News" and a new Building of "Port Pleamo", the governor's Building:
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Wow, this is beautiful! Awesome design. Geobra really should hire you!
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8} AMAZING, as usual sir pleamo.
:love: your port is growing as fast as our amazement.
:love: and you have also made a wonderful work with andy r's idea for a new buildable ship - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=7497.msg127930#msg127930.
;) as i have predicted at the begining of this thread, modeling existing parts was just the first step.
designing new ones is (was already) the next.
i am glad you could do it.
:wow: hans beck, like you, was also a model-maker.
o.k. he used wood to create the first klickies.
but he would have used sketchup if 3d modelling was available back then.
:yup: playmobil should really hire you.
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That's a wonderful looking design, Sir Pleamo! If Playmobil sold that set, I'd definitely buy one.
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I just want you to inform, that the day of the release of the next package of parts is coming closer! I'm going to put them free for download in at least two weeks, if not but definitely still in April!
@ cachalote: I will PM you soon, especally because of "The blue Man" ;D
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Magnificent Vauban! :wow:
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***3D-Library 2.0***
is out now!!!
Surly I have to say sorry again for publishing this new package of parts with some days of delay, I have to say sorry for some parts still missing, that I wanted to include, I should say sorry for… but no, I really do not feel sorry, because I am really proud of this new release! Why? Take a look at this Package 2.0 and find it out! What you get now is a much more useable collection of parts than the first Package was. Now nearly all themes are involved. Beside the Pirat and Western building parts from the first release, now there are a lot of parts from the farms (3072, 4055, 4490), namely the stable-gate, the roofs, gables, and nearly the complete Fairytale parts (e.g. 4250), also the Church (4296), and a lot of roofs which were really a lack of the first package.
All those that know this project from the beginning will remember that meanwhile I have made cannons, Klickys (still NOT included, because this will be another package) and all this stuff just to improve my skills and to try out new methods in my working flow… the result is, that I now was able to made a huge number of parts of that I thought a few month ago, it will always be impossible for me to generate them. So that frontier has moved strongly (just take a closer look to the Fairytale-parts and you will know what I mean or the shingled roofs)!
Anyway, I guess you are not interested in my words but in the parts, so here we go:
The Package now includes more than 350 parts (135 totally new parts). In addition some of the parts from the first package were fixed or rebuild in some aspects. So all parts available at the moment are included. The best way therefore is to delete all folders of your First Package and replace them with Package 2.0.
Like the first time, the download links (and passwords) you get via a PM to me! But don't be frustrated when I can not answer all PM just in time!
I really want to say thank you to a lot of you which have supported me in some aspects but namely I just can mention a few, so many thanks to:
cachalote ( :love: the silent mastermind in the background)
henri_martini ( :)9 )
socrates (thanks for really believing in my work)
Heather (how could I ever handle this without your support?)
EmmaJ, Tiermann, Indianna, tonguello, WoT, AndrewL,. .. and, and and
...here are some pics...
...and for sure a new mansion of Port Pleamo
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Simply Magnificent Pleamo!!! :wow: :wow: :wow:
I love your work! :clap:
That house you built is truly a masterpiece. :o :o :o
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WOW!!! That house is amazingly beautiful!!!
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I LOVE the mansion!!! Magnificent!
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Now the fun can begin for everybody. :)
Thank you so much for all your effort.
H_M
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YES! In the next package the whole church will be included, so we get nearer to the Castle BUT I personally do not have a fairytale Castle! This makes it nearly impossible for me to include these parts!!! So if someone wants to help, GIVE ME SUCH A CASTLE! ;D
Thanks so much for including the inside of the church. That is my favorite set due to the design of the roof allowing the sanctuary to be open and easily viewed. And the fact that there are no crosses means that the church can be used for anything, including a very cool home. Has anyone combined two churches yet? That is on my to-do list. Cheers! :lol:
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Has anyone combined two churches yet? That is on my to-do list. Cheers! :lol:
I guess I'm not the only one that have done this! ...but only two? ;D
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I guess I'm not the only one that have done this! ...but only two? ;D
In my dreams I would combine at least 3 of them! But when I woke up, there would be no place to put that big of a set unless we build a bigger house! Great idea though! :lol:
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***3D-Library 2.1***
is out now!!!
It has been a little bit quite here for a while... so maybe this will light the fire again...
Not long ago I have released the Version 2.0 and now there is 2.1 available. It comes with 160 totaly new parts (some are shown in the attached pic) and some fixed bugs within some allready released ones. So the total number of parts has increased to nearly 500 (483 exactly)
Like always, the download links (and passwords) you get via a PM to me!
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Thank you so much again.
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:clap: you have been doing such a great work sir pleamo.
:) i am so glad you were one of the examples presented to geobra in the pilot group board "white paper" - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=8453.0.
:yup: if your work doesn't make them take some notice of us nothing will.
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Sir Pleamo,
Your System-X Library 2.1 is absolutely fantastic! :love: The sheer amount of pieces you added in this new addition is amazing! Your manual also was extremely helpful to get started. :) I really liked the green bottle glass windows from the old Steck houses! I'm planning to use this program a lot!
:clap: Amazing work Sir Pleamo!! :clap:
Ace :brownhair:
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a sign of life…
3D-Library 2.9 is out now!
Most of you must have realized, that I have not posted anything since weeks and months… Some of you might have thought, that I just skipped my hobby… but do you really think so after all that oil, that I have put in the fire?
Of course not! But what the heck have I done all that time?
Well, as some of you already know, there is a simple and short answer: The birth of our daughter (our second child)… all parents will know how hard it is keeping your hobby AND being a good father/mother… but not participating here personally does not mean that I have not worked on… I am quite proud to tell you that the next version of my 3D-Library is released now, namly version 2.9 which includes nearly 600 parts with over 100 totally new ones and about 20 fixed parts.
Some special parts aside, this package comes mainly with a huge number of smaller parts like signs, fences, posts and all that stuff. Really usefull to „complete“ your constructions and ideas.
The procedure ist he same as every time: The passwords and download links are available via PM to me! I hope you will enjoy this new release and make a lot of use o fit!
And also the same as always: Ask me what and when ever you want, I will be happy to answer all questions, problems, ideas or notes…
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Congratulations Sir !!!!! :) :) :) :) :)
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Congratulations on your new baby!!!
And great to see the latest version!
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Sir Pleamo, its been a while! Great to see your new design!!!
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Whoa! ... This (attached) is awesome, @SirPleamo! :o
(And I'm not a System-X fan ...)
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this thread is amazing i dont know how i ever skipped it before.
ryan
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Sir Pleamo,
Congratulations on your new daughter....you are a very lucky man!!!!
And thanks for the new sys x parts. You do amazing work! Cheers, Pgsl :thanks:
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I just want to inform you that all about the Library project now can be found here:
Playmo3D - Project (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=11811.0)
So yes a totally new and highly advanced Library (in version 3.0) is out now!