So what can you do if the shape gets set wrong? Try another shape. For example, if I turned this cylinder on its side, it would 'roll' end over end like a quarter being flipped. If any other object interacts with this cylinder, it will hit the black wireframe, NOT the actual grouped shape! You can purposely set objects to the wrong shape for fun. This cylinder object was set to 'cylinder', but by using the DEBUG option, you can see the black wireframe shows SP thinks it is actually on it's side. (See below.) AN INCORRECTLY SHAPED OBJECT: Also, just because you make a cylinder and set the shape to cylinder, doesn't mean it will be oriented correctly. SP will make a black wire diagram of the object AS IT SEES IT. After grouping an object and setting its SP shape, select this option and press RUN. Just because you grouped a Cube doesn't mean SP 'sees' it as a Cube! USE THE SHAPE OPTION ON EVERY OBJECT YOU CREATE FOR SP!!!! DEBUG: Use this option to check the shape SP 'sees'. SHAPE: Sets the shape that SP sees the group as. Shape Physics The other two right-menu options are SHAPE and DEBUG, and they are used together. IGNORE: The object will not move, and other objects will not interact with it. STATIC: The object will NEVER move, no matter what happens to it. The STATE options are: FROZEN: Image will stay in place (it won't fall) until it is hit by another object, then regular Physics takes over. They are accessed by Right-Clicking a grouped object. Setting the STATE of the Object After making a grouped object, there are 2 main attributes to use when creating an object to use in SP.

These shapes are already grouped and ready to use, all you have to do is draw them where you want to in your model. There are also auto-shapes provided through a toolbar that is installed with SketchyPhysics.

Physics will then be applied when you press the RUN button. If you start by making a cube and grouping all the parts into one object, the object will be recognized by SP. The first thing to note is that SketchyPhysics ONLY WORKS WITH GROUPED OBJECTS.

Sketchup 2015 tutorial