SketchUp Dynamic Components

I am upgrading the EZ components in my collection on the SketchUp 3D Warehouse to be Dynamic Components. For example, the EZ-rail can only be stretched in length, and you can enter the length,
rather than stretching. So far just the rail, Smart Table slider, and the SME-to-ST adapter have been converted. Any suggestions as to which others to do or what features you would like to see will be considered.

John Seiffer Posted:

Dik,
I know the dynamic components are part of the new version of Sketchup. Do you know if that's a feature of the free version or just the pro? If the latter, will a dynamic component still open in the free version?

Dik Harrison Replied:

John,

You can use the DCs in the free version 7, but you have to have the Pro version 7 to create them. They can be placed in version 6, but will just be regular components.

Don Bergren Posted:

Thanks Dik for the Sketchup models you've provided in the past, as well as those you are now providing. They are a big help to me and many others.

I will love the Dynamic Component of the guide rail. Using your previously posted EZ components I have been able to stretch the guide rails to various lengths, but now it will be much easier. Thanks!

Dik Harrison Replied:

Thanks Don,

I used to edit the component and pull the end face to get different lengths. It is a PITA. Now I just type in a number. I love the functionality that DCs have given me to work with. Can't wait 'til I figure out some more things I can do to make modeling EZ setups EZer.

John Schreiber Posted:

Dik,

Some praise and thanks from another John. Your SketchUp models and animations have been very helpful for me in trying to wrap my head around how to best use the EZ system.

I plan to download the new dynamic versions and play with those soon.

Can the bridges or other parts be made dynamic so that they can be raised and lowered along their arc? Hopefully while moving the track and a saw with them? I've just got the free version and have not played with dynamic components.

Thanks!


Dik Harrison Replied:

John Schreiber: ...Can the bridges or other parts be made dynamic so that they can be raised and lowered along their arc? Hopefully while moving the track and a saw with them?...


John,

Thanks for the compliment. I do these for myself, but also to help promote EZ, and help other users and potential users.

Funny you should ask that. That is exactly what I worked on this early AM before starting work on my main projects. I have the B-300 so that you can set it all the way up or down, and am working on setting it to 3/4". I would like to allow you to type in a height and it would move to that (not animation move, just jump to that height), but that is going to require some math that might be beyond my old brain. So first I'll make it so you can select a height from a drop-down.

I'm not ready to post it yet, maybe later today or tomorrow if I get time to work on it.


Dik Harrison Posted:

I just uploaded the B-300 DC. It allows you to set it to one of three positions, full up, full down, and up 3/4". You can also enter the width of the table (from outside of mounting point to outside of
mounting point), and it will make it self that wide, lengthening the rail to match. I have added about 12" to either end of the rail to allow for a parking place for the saw.

Dik Harrison Posted:

I just discovered that I had a 23/64" error in setting the bridge to fit the table width, it is fixed now.