ImageProfile script now available

RickW · 1 Dec 2007, 05:08

The ImageProfile plugin is now available.

Some notes about its use:

This only works with SketchUp 6 on PC. It will not work with previous versions of SketchUp, and there are problems on the Mac version of SketchUp 6 with the transfer of data from webDialogs to ruby. When those are fixed, it should work fine.
It requires the purchase of processing credits (currently on sale for $1.00 per image). You purchase one or more credits which are banked on our server for you. When you use ImageProfile, it deducts a credit. The credits do not expire, so you can purchase now and use any time. Only unused credits can be refunded.
Use transparent PNG images only! PNG images with a white background should work, but don't count on it. Other file formats might work, but are officially unsupported. Don't waste credits on non-PNG images.
The more complex an image, the longer it will take. Many images will only take 2-3 minutes from upload to saved component. Images with a lot of perimeter will take slightly longer than images with less perimeter. Images with lots of transparent cutout areas or with slightly detached "island" color areas will take more time, sometimes up to 20 minutes. Start with simpler images, if you have them, and see how they work before trying very complex images.
The size of an image only affects upload time, which will also be dependent on your internet connection speed.
If an image doesn't trace properly, try adjusting the accuracy setting up or down one level. You do get a second chance when things don't go as planned, if you don't wait too long (same day at GMT-8).
Start with a BLANK MODEL - no geometry! Any geometry can interfere with the tracing process and cause unexpected (and undesired) results. Once the image is uploaded and processed, the data will be transferred to Sketchup, where the outline is created and the image is applied to the face. The model is then saved as a file to be inserted into other models. The model will have face-me attributes as requested.
Contact me through Smustard if you have problems with the script.

Happy profiling!

Krisidious · 1 Dec 2007, 05:09

you are sooo kool.

thanks...

kwistenbiebel · 1 Dec 2007, 05:10

Looking good RickW.

Is there a way we can also purchase the plugin at a fixed price?
That would suit me better.

Is it possible to post some examples of highly detailed photoreal tree-cut outs made with the plugin?
How does it cope with the halo effect (close to the boundary edges) that often is difficult to avoid when using clip maps in render software?

Thanks in advance,

Kwistenbiebel

RickW · 1 Dec 2007, 05:11

If I can get the processing off the server, I can offer a fixed-price plugin license. Until then, it's pay per use.

juju · 1 Dec 2007, 05:12

@rickw said:

If I can get the processing off the server, I can offer a fixed-price plugin license. Until then, it's pay per use.

Sorry Rick, I've read and re-read your comment and connot seem to make out why it is not available as a fixed-price plugin.

The way I understand it is you need to charge as it runs on your server, surely if its a fixed-price plugin then it would run on the persons personal machine only, or is there something that I've missed here?

RickW · 1 Dec 2007, 05:15

No, you understand my comment, at least as much as I said. I think, though, that most people will opt for the pay-per-use because the fixed-price would be very high (relative to other Smustard plugins) because of the reasons outlined in my previous post.

juju · 1 Dec 2007, 05:16

Almost forgot about that thread, thx for clearing it up.

alpro · 29 Sept 2008, 15:29

I've been having some trouble with this script, my image uploads, gets converted, but when data is being sent back to sketchup it takes forever, in fact I haven't completed one yet, this last one has been going for 1 1/2 hours. Any suggestions?

Mike

RickW · 30 Sept 2008, 03:48

Sorry for the difficulty. I haven't previously heard about any Vista issues, though nothing would surprise me from Vista. One guess would be a problem with the WebDialog and some security settings in IE/Vista preventing talkback to SketchUp. I could process it myself and email you the completed component.

RickW · 30 Sept 2008, 03:56

alpro,

I checked out the files you sent. Were you intending to upload .skp files? You need to upload .png image files, which will be converted to .skp files on the return trip. I suspect now that if you had the ruby console open at the time, you'd see some error messages. I'll credit back your used credits so you can try the process again.

alpro · 30 Sept 2008, 15:41

Thanks Rick, must of been a moment of duh!

Fletch · 3 Nov 2009, 14:10

Rick, can you show me a screenshot of this bag with the "high" quality cutout please?

this is not the quality I need for my work... I'm thinking trees/flowers, etc.