SYSTEM-X DESIGNER WANTED

[Tiermann]

So here's my first part - the wall unit cabinet piece.

[Tiermann]

and now shelves and cupboard for it

[Indianna]

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. 

[Sir Pleamo]

Cachalote  , here is your sandy beach (the first part, plants are following... )

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...).

[Sir Pleamo]

Just a nice update of the beach... but uups who has stolen the leaves? 

[Indianna]

. . . 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!   

[cachalote]

  thank you so much for the beach sir pleamo - it looks really wonderful  .
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. 
... 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) ? 
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).

[Sir Pleamo]

  thank you so much for the beach sir pleamo - it looks really wonderful  .
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. 
... 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) ? 
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 ).

[cachalote]

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). 

[skypurr]

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! 

Elaine