Driving Dimensions 1.4 for SketchUp

is available in two
versions: free and Pro

Download      Store

Sample Models
Videos

 | Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of typical questions asked by people interested in Driving Dimensions plugin for Google SketchUp. If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact us.


What is a SketchUp dimension?

SketchUp dimension entities are finite lines with length information allowing you to quickly and effectively communicate key dimensions of your model. Dimensions can move and update automatically as you make changes to your model. Dimensions are drawn with the built-in Dimension Tool. The link between geometry and dimensions is unidirectional: if you change the value of a SketchUp dimension, the model is not updated. So SketchUp dimensions are only used to retrieve length information from your model.

What is a Driving Dimension?

Driving Dimensions are similar to SketchUp dimensions (you can use them to retrieve the dimension information from your model, and this information is updated automatically when you make changes to your model), but the link between driving dimensions and geometry is bidirectional: if you change the value of a driving dimension, your model will be automatically updated to satisfy the new value. Driving Dimensions allow you to change 3D models parametrically, making the full-scale parametric design tools available for all SketchUp users.

Where do Driving Dimensions come from?

Driving Dimensions are created with the Driving Dimensions (DD) plugin for Google SketchUp. Driving Dimensions are stored in a file with a model (you can find some of them in the Google 3D Warehouse), but you can manage them only if you have the DD plugin installed on your PC/Mac.

How can I tell if a dimension is driving?

You cannot convert a SketchUp dimension to a Driving Dimension, but you can create a Driving Dimension using the Driving Dimensions toolbar (appeared in the SketchUp after you installed the DD plugin).

What kinds of dimensions can be driving?

You can create the following kinds of Driving Dimensions:

  • length of an edge
  • radius of a circle or an arc
  • all possible distances between vertices, edges and faces
  • angles between two edges or between two faces, or between an edge and an adjacent face that does not contains the edge
SketchUp entities linked with driving dimensions should not be grouped into components or should belong to the same component.

What are inferred dimensions?

Inferred dimensions are driving dimensions that are created automatically when you use such built-in SketchUp tools as Rectangle or Push/Pull. Inferred dimensions capture your design intent and convert it into a set of driving dimensions put on the geometric entities you have just created. To learn more how to use inferred dimensions please read our tutorial.

How do Driving Dimensions work?

Your model is updated automatically to satisfy simultaneously all your Driving Dimensions set to its elements in the following cases:

  • once you create a new Driving Dimension (using the Driving Dimension tool from the Driving Dimensions toolbar)
  • once you edit the value of any Driving Dimension (selecting the Driving Dimension tool and double-clicking on existing Driving Dimension)
  • once you select the Update Geometry command from the Driving Dimensions toolbar (usually users do that after they move or resize some entities so that some Driving Dimensions become violated and displayed in red color)
Please note that you can change this default behavior by switching different DD options.

What if I don't want some entities to be moved when my model is updated to satisfy the Driving Dimensions?

If you don't want one or more entities (vertices, edges, circles, arcs) to be moved to satisfy your Driving Dimensions, you can use the Fixation tool of the Driving Dimensions toolbar. Just fix as many entities as you need, and they won't be moved.

Are Driving Dimensions free?

Yes, since there is a free version of DD plugin that can be used by anyone to modify parametrically models with driving dimensions. Free version has two limitations: it is not intended for commercial usage and its users cannot add more than 10 driving dimension entities to one SketchUp model. However, any model created with DD Pro version can be opened and edited parametrically with the free version (even if it contains more than 10 driving dimensions).

Can anyone use Driving Dimensions?

Anyone with SketchUp 8 can create and use Driving Dimensions after installing the DD plugin. No specific knowledge required to deal with them.

What is the difference between Driving Dimensions and some built-in SketchUp tools that can be used to resize my model to satisfy a given dimension?

You can use some built-in SketchUp tools (like Scale or Tape Measure) to set the desired length dimension for an edge (see the SketchUp Reference Guide for details). However, using these tools you can set not more than one dimension at a time. If you set other dimensions previously, they can be broken when you set a new one. In contrast, all Driving Dimensions set to your model are stored and satisfied simultaneously. Even if you change your model by moving or resizing some of its entities, you can use the Update Geometry command (available with the Driving Dimensions toolbar) to satisfy automatically all driving dimensions you set previously to your model. Moreover, Driving Dimensions allow you to control not only the length, but also arbitrary distances, radii and angles in your model.

What is the difference between Driving Dimensions and Dynamic Components available with SketchUp Pro 7?

SketchUp Pro 7 users can create their own Dynamic Components that can be used to control models parametrically (see the SketchUp Reference Guide for details) - as well as Driving Dimensions. However, there are several important advantages for Driving Dimensions users:

  • you don't need to buy a SketchUp Pro license to design your own parametric models with Driving Dimensions
  • with Dynamic Components you can control only sizes of bounding box for a component (measured along coordinate axes), while Driving Dimensions allow you to set any number of desired lengths, distances, radii or angles
  • you don't need to have any specific knowledge to use Driving Dimensions in your models - just use them as built-in SketchUp dimensions and edit their value to modify your model parametrically
  • Driving Dimensions can be used to add parameters to existing models (including ones created by other persons) - you don't need to re-design the models, nor subdivide them into components


Why should I buy Pro?

The free version of DD plugin is not intended for commercial purposes and does not allow users to add more than ten driving dimensions to the same model. To overcome these limitations please consider the possibility to buy the Pro version. Please note that any model created with the DD Pro version can be opened and edited (including parametric modification of driving dimensions) with the free version. The Pro license ($145) also includes the one-year subscription for version upgrade.

What about Mac OS?

Google SketchUp runs on both Windows and Mac OS X. Driving Dimensions plugin also runs on both these platforms staring with version 1.1.

Where can I learn more about building my own models with Driving Dimensions?

Depending on your learning style, you can read the online help, watch the video tutorials, or explore the function examples to learn from sample working Driving Dimensions. You are also welcome to post your questions to user forums.

How can I uninstall Driving Dimensions plugin?

Please go to Start->Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs. Find 'LEDAS Driving Dimensions Plugin' in the list, and press the Remove button.

Contact us   

© 2012 Menhirs NV. All rights reserved.