Driving Dimensions

Portfolio of Driving Dimensions (Managing Sizes) are a family of the final and user modules connected to the popular systems of two-dimensional and three-dimensional modeling for providing their users with the developed parametrization opportunities. The paradigm of the Managing Sizes is based on technology of variation direct modeling which allows directly (irrespective of the history of creation) to edit elements of geometrical model with preserving of its constructive integrity (intentions of the designer) expressed using the explicit or implicit managing sizes (linear, radial, angular) and geometrical restrictions. Simultaneous permission of all geometrical and dimensional restrictions happens to the help of a variation geometrical solver of LGS developed by LEDAS company since 2001 and available to licensing to all CAD developers.

Driving Dimensions для Google SketchUp

The connected module Driving Dimensions for Google SketchUp, the popular free program with opportunities of direct three-dimensional modeling, offers convenient means of parametrization which use allows to reduce significantly time of making changes in the existing models and opens new opportunities for users.

Current version

Version 1.1 supports all main types of the managing sizes: edge length, radius of an arc and circle, distances between tops, edges and edges, corners between edges and edges. In one model it is possible to set any number of the managing sizes — all of them will be considered at the same time when updating geometry. The managing sizes are set manually or automatically using the original mechanism of the implied sizes (inferred dimensions). The parametrical design available to all users of SketchUp at use of the module Driving Dimensions is independent of the history of creation: any existing three-dimensional model (created in SketchUp or imported from other system) can be modified by a task of the managing sizes. The connected module Driving Dimensions 1.1 for Google SketchUp can be free of charge downloaded from a developer's site.

Implied sizes

The mechanism of the Implied Sizes (Inferred Dimensions) allows to add automatically the managing sizes to result of such built-in transactions as the Rectangle and Pull/push. The managing sizes generated thus differ in nothing from created manually and can be easily changed or deleted. The users creating the parametrical models "from scratch" will be able to preserve a lot of time, using the mechanism of the Implied Sizes. The detailed illustrated lesson of use of the Implied Sizes is provided on the website.

User interface

Elements of the graphical user interface of the module Driving Dimensions 1.1 (icons, cursors, dialog windows) have style compliance with the tools which are built in SketchUp. The main commands to which there correspond buttons on a dashboard:

• create/modify the managing size,
• record element provision at parametrical updating of model,
• it is forced to update model,
• correct values of the managing sizes according to the current arrangement of geometrical elements,
• hide/show all managing sizes in model,
• cause the Options dialog where the different modes of creation of the managing sizes and updating of model can be set,
• cause the About Driving Dimensions Plug-in dialog from which it is possible to pass to a developer's site or to address an online help.

Free and professional versions

The module Driving Dimensions 1.1 for Google SketchUp is delivered in two versions: free and professional. The free version is not intended for commercial use and has the built-in restriction for the maximum number of the created managing sizes within one model (25). However, any parametrical model created using the version of Driving Dimensions 1.1 Pro (the cost of 45 US dollars for the single-user license) can be browsed and edited using the free version — irrespective of number of the managing sizes which are contained in it. Both versions of the module are completely compatible to the Google SketchUp program of versions 6, 6 Pro, 7, 7 Pro working running the Windows 2000/XP/Vista and Mac OS X (10.4+) operating systems.

Driving Dimensions Labs

Driving Dimensions Labs is the place for new technologies where prototypes of possible future applications of a line of Driving Dimensions in operation are provided. The placed rollers show possibilities of parametrization of drawings in AutoCAD and also assemblies and animation of mechanisms in Rhino 3D.

History

Since October, 2008 four preliminary versions of the module Driving Dimensions for Google SketchUp - with consistently extending functionality were released. For this period more than five thousand users of SketchUp from 95 countries of the world downloaded the module Driving Dimensions from the website of LEDAS company. Here some user feedback with which feedback was established through different communities, forums and blogs: "the interesting concept", "a plug-in easy in use", "it is very useful, with its help I can precisely scale my sketch", "it removes the main cause which was not allowing me to use still SketchUp", "I waited for emergence of the similar module from the very beginning of my work with SketchUp".

Links

DrivingDimensions.com