Problem with hinges / joint connector

[mburn16]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this question has been asked a dozen times before, so I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record...

I just downloaded sketchy physics today, and I've been having problems. I'm trying to create a box with a free-fall door on the bottom, but my hinges aren't working. I pulled up a tutorial, and tried to follow it, without success. I create my box, make it a group, and turn it into a static object. Then I create the door, and group it with a hinge. The problem is that, when I try to connect the hinge to the box (making the box the parent object), it doesn't work. Either the door (+ hinge) falls away, OR the entire thing falls away.

As far as I can tell, the joint connector isn't working properly.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

- Matt

[jaysax]

I create my box, make it a group, and turn it into a static object. Then I create the door, and group it with a hinge. The problem is that, when I try to connect the hinge to the box (making the box the parent object), it doesn't work. Either the door (+ hinge) falls away, OR the entire thing falls away.

As far as I can tell, the joint connector isn't working properly.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

- Matt

Try connecting the hinge to the box first, before grouping the hinge with the door. At least, that has worked for me, though I am quite the newbie too. You could also post your model!

Jay

[mburn16]

I've tried...unfortunately without luck.

The problem seems to be in the joint connector itself - I cannot get both the joint and the parent object to highlight at the same time, even when holding down the ctrl key.

[jaysax]

I've tried...unfortunately without luck.

The problem seems to be in the joint connector itself - I cannot get both the joint and the parent object to highlight at the same time, even when holding down the ctrl key.

Well, I assume by 'highlight' that you are:
1) creating some box (say),
2) creating some sphere (for example),
3) creating a joint (say, a hinge),
4) clicking on the joint connector button,
5) clicking on the hinge joint,
6) left ctrl clicking on the sphere
7) then grouping the hing joint and the box

(or something vaguely like that, depending on the shapes and joint you've chosen).

Is that about right?

Note: I found that only the left ctrl key works. Not the right ctrl key. Would that be the case for you?

Jay

[mburn16]

only the left side huh?

Yup, works like a charm...thx

[tslai88]

Hi, I got the same problem before. i am not sure whether is my notebook problem.
i use left hand to hold the mouse, right hand to click & hold "Ctrl" button on the right side of the keyboard, the Joint Connector can't joint together. I click & hold left "Ctrl" button can joint.
My right "Ctrl" workable for Copy / Rotate function.

TSLai88

[jaysax]

Hi, I got the same problem before. i am not sure whether is my notebook problem.
i use left hand to hold the mouse, right hand to click & hold "Ctrl" button on the right side of the keyboard, the Joint Connector can't joint together. I click & hold left "Ctrl" button can joint.
My right "Ctrl" workable for Copy / Rotate function.

TSLai88

Right. CTRL only means the left CTRL key - for sketchyphysics. The rest of sketchup recognizes both CTRL keys.

I posted a small fix that would recognize both control keys in sketchyphysics. It's around in this forum somewhere!

Jay

[artist1929]

Too am having this problem, I realize its an old thread but on my computer, I cannot get the joint connector to recognize both groups. I am using left cntrl but it will only allow me to select one of the two groups i'm trying to connect. Is there something i'm missing here? I've got a base and attched to it a "motor" thing. I'm trying to get connect it to a group that is placed directly above it on center with the motor button thing. When I select joint selector and use left control only 1 group will select. How do I get it to select the other group!

[DanYHKim]

Could you describe your intended model? From what I have read, you want to make some kind of base with a motor on it. The motor is connected to another object that will rotate with the motor.

You have constructed a 3D box and grouped its parts together, making the base. You then make a motor and connect it to the base box somehow (by grouping?). You then make a second 3D object and try to use the Joint Connector to connect this object to the motor.

Is this correct?
If so, one question is whether your base box needs to be able to move or be moved. If it is just sitting there, it really doesn't need to be grouped and attached to the motor; the motor can be placed arbitrarily in space, and then joint-connected to your rotating object. The motor will not move, since it is itself a static object.