Looks nice Jeff! @unknownuser said: i was wondering though, if those steps can be automated? This is the reason I mentioned faces and not using pictures. I think it would be easier to create faces in code, and then assign materials to them. As I said there is not much one can do in code with the current dimensions. So converting SU dimensions might be a no go. I would rather have a plugin create their own dimensions from scratch. Quite doable When static. But do see some problems when the dimension would have to update. I imagine thats what Driving dimension does.. Their code is scrambled...

I know its not stolen. I know they would do something like that. R.I.P

thank you , i dont know how i forget this command

Thank you so much!!! This is a huge help to me for setting up renderings for export. One huge improvement I would suggest is the ability to select multiple "old" materials to be replaced with one "new" material all at once. Thanks again!

I believe that "normal pluging" are both suitable for MAC and PC You can load some of them here http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=250026 Normally there are at the end of the first post of the thread!

TIG thank you for your answer. I did little research, but could have been better. I am aware odf your plug in, but as you noticed I want to randomize texture painted on multiple copies of one component. And the workaroud you suggested I use, but I hoped there is better way to do it.

@cotty said: Renderers often have a "material-ID" option which can be used to generate masks... I thought of something like described here (page 37).

[image: oLvg_pic_0030.jpg] Update Dec 29 2012 v1.5.4 plugins wrap in Module DJ::pluginsName.methodDJ(name space) @variable format (name space) dj_variable plugins name are in subject and name order (easy to look up) feature toolbar add group toolbar (agroup) add explode toolbar Big new programs is safe to use, now in module format

http://www.srww.com/blog/?p=1205 Layers Management Ruby Script For SketchUp [image: layerstoolbar.png]

Then try my 'EEbyLathe' using 360 degrees. You Select a face or a set of welded edges [aka a curve] for the profile. Pick a 'center-point'. Pick a point off from this, to give the 'axis of rotation'. Type 360 and press <enter> to use that as the swept angle. You can enter any swept angle >0<=360, -ve values sweep the form in the other direction. No need to type 360 if you have used it last time as it's remembered for that session. To commit double-click or press Ctrl. Answer questions about coplanar faces, reversed faces, exploding the grouped form etc... Note: the other thing you need to be able to adjust is the number of segments in the swept form - the default is 9. You do this by typing Ns + <enter>, before committing... You'll probably want 24s or 36s, again this setting is remembered for that session, but easily adjusted as desired before committing the form.

Got it to work. Thanks!

unearthed, I'm glad my tool is useful for you. Your method does look a bit complex for day to day use. After reading your post I realized that UAM lacks the feature to add comments to plug-ins. Although creating a file like the one you showed is enough, it is more intuitive to add a comment area to the program. This doesn't seem to be complicated, so I'll probably code it soon and publish an update early next year. Thank you for your feedback, if you find any usability problem, please drop me a mail. Jim, No, this tool doesn't use Sketchup or any other program. Its purpose is to be able to manage plug-ins from several applications, so I really couldn't make it dependent from Sketchup. The idea is actually very simple, the program is given the path where the plug-ins should be and a folder where to store them when they are not in use. Then, according to your instructions, it will move the plug-ins to the "Library" (the folder where you store them when inactive), and back to the right place (In the case of SU, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google SketchUp 8\Plugins"). This is how the enable, disable process works. Delete an Add-in erases its files, Remove leaves the files where they are, but ignored by the program. New, creates a new "Add-in", this is, the program will scan the folder you give it, move its files to the right place and register all the files in its database. For the sake of organization, Add-ins are separated in Groups, which is especially useful if you manage plug-ins from more than one program. I hope I've been clear, in my blog you can find a more detailed explanation, in the software page. Any other question or issue, feel free to ask and suggest.

@svzephyr said: Thanks, Jim. I had looked through the API and couldn't find anything, but I was hoping I had just overlooked something. Lynn You can create a layer of size and use it to enable or disable their visibility...

Do you have a picture or a sketch example of what you mean? I think I understand. If you can create one quadrant or some other smaller part of a full circle, you can copy rotate that Component in an array. Is that your idea? There is very little that Sketchup can't do. Form teensy faces and please everybody.

Francois, the plugin ferrary sketch might also be of interest for you: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=46678 and formfinder, although it is not for Mac: http://www.formfinder.at/ Jörg

If you're new to SketchUp plugin development you might want to have a look at this article: http://www.thomthom.net/thoughts/2012/01/golden-rules-of-sketchup-plugin-development/

Ensure that you have FULL security-permissions to your Plugins folder [select its icon, context-menu Properties > Security > Edit...]. With limited permissions the files/subfolders might look OK, but are really put into a VirtualStore - 'Compatibility Files...' ... I think that you have NOT installed the files properly. Reread the two threads and ensure that the various file/subfolders - names and structure - match exactly. If the files are correctly installed then the tool WILL work after a restart of SketchUp.

Just updated the plugin to v.1.4. Cheers, Alex

bumped ... Topic title has been changed to comply with Jim's Plugins Indexer. Thank you David!

Thanks for the suggestions so far. pbacot: I have used that method before. It's fine for simple objects, but gets more difficult for geometry that is more complex or curved in 2 directions. I'm just hoping to find a way that doesn't require as many steps. Just getting lazy in my old age. Thanks again.