Dynamic Components in Google SketchUp Pro 7
Among the new features in Google SketchUp Pro 7 is Dynamic Components. These are 3D models that are aware of what they are and behave accordingly. The use of Dynamic Components allows the modeler to scale objects without distorting them.
Dynamic Components are programmed to react realistically to manipulation or editing, and will scale, animate or replicate accordingly. If a user extends a set of stairs for example, the program will add more stairs instead of stretching the distance of the existing set. The new Component Options dialog box allows editing of Dynamic Component behavior and configuration, without the need for modeling tools.
Simply clicking the mouse, the Interact tool initiates dynamic object actions such as opening a door, changing color, or moving, rotating or resizing. Any component can be dynamic, with a spreadsheet-style utility for adding behaviors.
Absolutely any SketchUp component can be made dynamic. One of the big selling points of SketchUp Pro 7 is that you do not have to be a computer programmer to create Dynamic Components. As long as you have Google SketchUp Pro 7 and have a basic familiarity with using formulas in spreadsheets, you can create your own Dynamic Components.
Dynamic Components are special: they're programmed to know what they are; you can now scale without stretching. When you use the Scale tool on a dynamic component, it ensures
no stretching, therefore, no more distortion.
Configure objects with Component Options: Some Dynamic Components are hooked up to the new Component Options dialog box. Instead of breaking out the modeling tools to make a change, just choose options and watch the component reconfigure automatically. It's modeling without the mess. Some Dynamic Components can perform animations, rotate, move, resize, change color or move to a scene in your model when you click on them with Interact.
Dynamic Components allow you to program a single SketchUp door with hundreds or even thousands of options so that a SketchUp user can configure that door’s shape, size and material using a few drop-down menus within SketchUp. Some Dynamic Components can perform animations, rotate, move, resize, change color or move to a scene in your model when you click on them with Interact.
