SketchUp - NVIDIA OpenGL Driver issue

I don't use SketchUp for my vis work but still I need to deal with SketchUp files. A couple weeks ago I got this error when I tried to open SketchUp model from a new computer. I installed the newest driver but this error didn't go away. So, I stared to check settings. For my case, Antialiasing - Mode is the problem.



Here is the setting I changed.
Go NVIDIA Control Panel > 3D Settings > Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings > SketchUp > Antialiasing - Mode: Enhance the application setting
After I changed the setting, I can open the file without error. 

Useful script for architectural visualization

I use some scripts to speed up my workflow and here is some scripts I like to use.
Those scripts can find at http://www.scriptspot.com/

Clear out the dead wood from the layer manager
Delete all empty layers! If you need to deal with CAD file, this is a useful script.

Material Converter v0.98b
It works Scanline, Mental Ray, Vary and Maxwell Render.

Relink Bitmaps
Re-link missing files. If you have a lot of missing files, it is a great tool. Also, it is faster than Bitmap/Photometric Path.

Randomizer
Randomize position, rotation and scale. It is useful for changing tree sizes.

Random Selector
Select vertext, edge, border, face and element randomly. It is useful for deleting some leaves from tree.

Not able to attach objects

If you are not able to attache objects, you can try

Unlink objects or Ungroup objects

Still not working, you can try

Select all polygons > Detach

Usually works for me.

Assign Material ID for multi/sub material

I deal with a lot of multi/sub materials and material IDs on a daily basis. It is painful if there are many sub materials. I really don't like this process... So, I created a tool which allows you to change all multi/sub material IDs with one click. Also, it shows used material IDs in a scene. 

I tested multi/sub , standard or A&G material with mr sky using 3ds max 2013 mental ray. Also, it works proxy objects.

Link to Material ID tool  - Drag and drop the file in a viewport. The tool will pop up.

How to put video into PowerPoint 2003

2003 is old but I realized people are still using it and it works fine. However, putting video is not so easy if you are using 2003. I am going to use .swf file for this.

You can use .avi file but usually the file size is big and not smooth. I recommend to use .swf.

First, you need to install  Adobe Shockwave Player which is free.
Then open PowerPoint.
Go to View > Toolbars > Control Toolbox

Go to More Controls > Shockwave Flash Object

Click inside of page > a box will pop up > Double click on the box

Type .swf file name in the Movie box > File - Save this this settings > close
Done!

Now, the box has the video.

Why 'Split Scan Lines' render makes images are washed out?

If you get this problem, that mean is you are using Gamma correction. Split Scan Lines has 2 pass to complete a job and this is the problem. It applies Gamma correction twice. If you use Gamma correction and Split Scan Lines together, you need to disable second pass Gamma correction.

Open Backburner Monitor > Select Second Pass > Right Click to open menu > Select Edit Settings...

Go to Gamma Correction > Double click to change Disable
Now, it is good to go.

Second Pass Gamma - Enable

Second Pass Gamma - Disable

Not using Split Scan Lines

How to create dashed lines in Photoshop

Round Brush = Dot

Select brush > Open brush panel > select basic round brush > adjust Spacing & Size > Ready to draw

Square Brush = Dashed
First, need to bring up square brush.
Select brush > right click to open a panel > click triangle > choose Square Brushes > select Append > 

(from here same as round brush)
Open brush panel > select square brush > adjust Roundness, Spacing & Size > Ready to draw