We've just added a major improvement to image overlays in HelioScope. No longer dependent on SketchUp or KMZs, users can upload any jpg, jpeg, or png via the new overlay tool (as well as still being able to upload KMZ and KML). In addition, you can now resize, move, stretch, and rotate overlays as you please all within the browser. Sounds cool? Take a look at our walkthrough to see how to use the new overlay tool.

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The End of the SketchUp Integration

HelioScope is permanently moving away from our integration with SketchUp.

A recent change to unsigned plugins broke the tool we had developed, and made us realize it was time to move forward. As of this posting, HelioScope officially no longer supports the SketchUp plugin. We have been planning to move away from SketchUp for a while, and the breaking change on their end made it a perfect time to make it official.

For those who were used to using SketchUp, the good news is that we have active solutions to replace its functionality. A shading environment built with keepouts and field segments in HelioScope can generate hourly shade simulations, while SketchUp will only produce monthly shade patterns. Additionally, the new overlay tool makes SketchUp's alignment issues and KMZ creation difficulties a thing of the past.