[Plugin] New Piping System Plugin
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Sebastian / Josef,
Great plug-in.
Excellent user interface - very fast to use.A few suggestions / ideas / requests:
- Ability to specify number of segments for circles (pipe profiles) (to help keep file sizes down).
- Ability to have pipe sections, pipe junctions etc as COMPONENTS - or all geometry as COMPONENTS
- Ability to NAME these Components (if user requires it).
- Ability to automatically generate Centrelines for all geometry eg each pipe section - very useful for snapping / lining up / offsetting other geometry to. This centreline to go on its own layer eg "Centreline"
- Ability to Specify "Pipes" of Square or Rectangular Cross Section. This plug-in could then be used to model other types of Ducts eg Ventilation Systems / Air-Conditioning Systems.
- See the excellent Profile Builder Plug-in. If you have centrelines you will be able to generate total LENGTHS for each Pipe section. From the pipe profile (area) you can then calculate VOLUME of each Pipe Section. Some type of Reporting function that will generate Lengths, Volumes and Totals for each Pipe Section (Named Components). These Reporting out type functions / code already exist in several other Plug-ins eg by TIG, Jim Foltz and others.
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Just a thought...
Potentially both The Profile Builder and your Piping System Plug-in Compliment each other very well.
Maybe you should Team Up with Dale Martens who created The Profile Builder plug-in so that you can have the best of both worlds ???
You could use Dale's Profile Builder so that you can use any profile / cross-section you want to - but they would be modelled in a very simple and intuitive way using your superb drawing engine / user interface ???
A marriage made in su heaven ??? !!!
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Keep up the good work on this fantastic plug-in.
Regards
Howard L' -
It don't work on Mac
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Good!
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What is the STATUS of this plugin's DEVELOPMENT ?????
[Edit] I now see that you can change the circle segmentation value when the pipe tool is intiated by typing in the VCB (a.k.a "Measurements" box in the SU taskbar). This is mentioned in the tutor dialog which I had turned off.
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I just downloaded this plugin and it works fine on my MacPro.
In addition to Profile Builder I often use the "Convert Arcs, Circles, Curves and Lines to Cylinders" plugin. It has the advantage of being able to define a material, opt to make a the whole thing a group or make each tube a group, in addition to defining the diameter and precision. A neat plugin.
This "New Piping System Plugin" would be nice if it had some standard library of fittings.
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Dear SHK,
Can this plugin be used to plan a domestic central heating system - boiler, radiators, control valves, pumps etc?
The technology behind this plugin suggests that it could be adapted to wiring schemes too, both domestic and industrial.
Regards,
Bob -
@bob james said:
I just downloaded this plugin and it works fine on my MacPro.
2x2 Ghz Power PC G5 with 10.5.7 and SU 7 here.
I make several attempts and no luck. I also did a manual installation but no luck. I only got some console message errors depending on the path of the installed components.
Could you please write me your components paths? Thanks -
@coronel said:
Could you please write me your components paths? Thanks
Coronel,
It just clicked on the 3skenglt
for Google Sketchup 7.mpkg file.I could not find out where the mpkg file installed the working files: definitely not in the plugins folder.
When you say you "manually" installed it, just what did you manually install??
Note this from the SHK website:
The installation of 3skeng does not work on my computer. What can I do?
We have tested the setup software and the 3skeng software very carefully. Nevertheless it is a new software and we may have not tested all possible configurations. If you are an registered user, please send us an email to support@3skeng.com with a description of the problem as detailed as possible. Clarifying screen shots are highly appreciated. We will help you as soon as possible! -
@unknownuser said:
@coronel said:
Could you please write me your components paths? Thanks
Coronel,
It just clicked on the 3skenglt
for Google Sketchup 7.mpkg file.I could not find out where the mpkg file installed the working files: definitely not in the plugins folder.
When you say you "manually" installed it, just what did you manually install??
I looked for the installed files and was trying the plugin moving them to different possible locations where SU could find them. I made a probe with another user account library, in documents folder like some rubys do, in the own SU folder plugin... I was reading the ruby and its needed files and all seems to be in the right place but I still get start up errors.
I was reading their forums and made same post there too.
Thank you I will try with their support mail. -
@coronel said:
I looked for the installed files and was trying the plugin moving them to different possible locations where SU could find them. I made a probe with another user account library, in documents folder like some rubys do, in the own SU folder plugin... I was reading the ruby and its needed files and all seems to be in the right place but I still get start up errors.
Where are the files/ruby located?
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@unknownuser said:
Where are the files/ruby located?
localhost/Users/me/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 7/SketchUp/plugins/3skenglt (folder)/
localhost/Users/me/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 7/SketchUp/plugins/3SkengltExtension.rb
it requires 'sketchup.rb' and 'extensions.rb', in the same plugins folder.
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@unknownuser said:
Here we go again.
With all due respect, if we let every Joe that can write software launch his/her product at the SCF we are quickly going to lose credibility. This forum benefits from reports and critiques by users, that are motivated to post by the relevant features of the product. Subjective, first hand users of a product only.
I can’t imagine the clutter we are going to have here in a year or so if this keeps up.What what what?
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I like it to see what people do for and with SU.
Where is the place I get to know when not here?...and... would you say the same about smustard and their commercial scripts?
This is a platform where people can present their products/scripts/plugins related to SU. It is our decision to talk about and to test it. For me it is a difference with marketing and let people know about something new.
my2cents -
hm.. well, I don't see any problem with this post or the likes. I find it interesting to hear about what is available. To me it's the same if the creators make a post or if any user make a post.
This post was nothing more than a simple link - no cheesy sales pitches.
I just don't see the issue... -
@watkins said:
Dear All,
What happens when you download the software? Do you get the usual plugins or is there an installer that places software elsewhere? I note that the 'free' offer is only until October 2009. How does that work? Does the installed software time out? I would hate to get used to using it and then find it carries a heavy price tag after October.
Regards,
BobHi Guys,
Maybe I've missed the advise on the price of this PlugIn come Ocober next but I don't think so. I also checked the 'vendors' site carefully and could not see a price anywhere either. I did see 'Use 3skeng Pipe for FREE until October 2009!' and a flashing 'Free' notice. Its a bit confusing to say the least. I am now under the impression that its a free trial ONLY.
I think Bob has asked a reasonable question which deserves and answer. This thread has now become a mini Beta Testing Center for 3skeng! Also there was NO permission sought to announce this 'commercial'. I am now considering putting it into quarantine until this matter / question is answered
satisfactorily. I will now write to 3skeng and clarify the matter.Mike
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modelhead,
I don't think I could disagree with you more! I realize you have jillions of posts, but I, for one at least, browse the forum to see what's going on and to see if there are any new plugins that will make my job easier and/or better. My job depends on SketchUp.
When I see something that might be of value to me I try it out. If it shows promise, even if it's not quite finished, I try to find out what doesn't work and/or what I'd like it to do and post my responses.
I don't know how many plugins I have both from Smustard and from the incredibly talented forum posts from Whaat, TIG, thomthom, Foltz, Fredo, Fullmer, Bur, CadFather, Burch, Wilson, etc., etc.
And if folks like SHK want to clue me into some other source for a plugin, I'm all for it. I would never have known about 3skeng's Piping System Plugin if he hadn't posted the URL here.
I really don't see how this is "watering down" our forum.
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@mike lucey said:
Maybe I've missed the advise on the price of this PlugIn come Ocober next but I don't think so. I also checked the 'vendors' site carefully and could not see a price anywhere either. I did see 'Use 3skeng Pipe for FREE until October 2009!' and a flashing 'Free' notice. Its a bit confusing to say the least. I am now under the impression that its a free trial ONLY.
I agree that mixing up free with "shareware" or "trialware" is confusing and annoying.
@mike lucey said:
Also there was NO permission sought to announce this 'commercial'.
Is it that big of a deal. It was in informational link. I've seen before makers of commercial plugin post announcements only for it to be removed - then hours later a user posts a link and everything is fine. To me it makes no difference to what the source is - new software that are relevant for Sketchup use is of interest.
When developers are active on this forum and communicate directly with us I see that as a good thing. Something I don't want to see discouraged. -
@thomthom said:
When developers are active on this forum and communicate directly with us I see that as a good thing. Something I don't want to see discouraged.
Amen
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Dear All,
In the past two weeks I unfortunately did not visit the SketchUcation Forum as we are really busy with our 3skeng software development tasks.
I want to answer the open questions as follows:
1) Problems to install 3skeng on a MAC
We are sorry if there are problems installing 3skeng on a MAC. Please send us your feedback to support@3skeng.com so we can help to solve the problem. Please note, that 3skeng for MAC is only available for OS/X and SketchUp 7.
2) Pricing after October 2009
To develop professional software is a relevant investment. We have and we do spend a lot of engineering and software development resources into the 3skeng project.
Our intention to release the free version of 3skeng was first to receive user feedback which will help us to align our software development targets and second to learn about the size of the potential user group which need such a piece of software.
The current status is, that we have received a lot of positive feedback and good ideas, also via the SketchUcation forum – Thank you all!
Regarding the potential number of users we learned that we need to be patient and need to spend effort and money into marketing and advertisement. But in the moment we have to concentrate our full energy into software development.
As in almost every software development project we are fighting with the complexity of unexpected problems. The required time and spending is much higher then planned, the earnings are currently zero. Believe me: This project is a relevant entrepreneurial risk!
All this learning is part of our price calculation. As we are in the middle of the learning curve we are currently not able to define a final price. The 3skeng user group are SketchUp Pro users working professional in the field of engineering with focus on piping systems. We promise to set a reasonable price which will ensure a fast return on invest for our target users.
The pricing will also be subject of the extend of the functions we achieve to implement in the first commercial release of the software. To increase usage value of 3skeng we plan to implement the placement of connectors such as flanges in the workflow, offer a pipe-elbow element which allow to reach much easier a defined piping end point and make the integration of T-pieces in existing pipelines a lot easier. The SketchUp-like user interface is always our highest development target.
3) Should this post be kept in the forum or should it be moved to quarantine?
It seems, that this post is in the middle of a more fundamental discussion. The pro and con arguments are all comprehensible.
Here is our view:
Information about a new software can be valuable for this forum even if published by the author.
It would have been so easy to ask a friend to place this post. I thought it is much more straight forward if I post myself with my real name open and honest.
An information, how to solve a problem with an available product can be a lot more helpful then a faked 5 star product review initiated by the product manufacturer. This is not our marketing style and I hope this will be tolerated in this forum.
If the product is good, I am confident an independent forum member would refer to 3skeng sooner or later. To start this post myself was an acceleration task as we need urgent a better understanding if it is worth to invest into the 3skeng project.
The feedback in this thread is so valuable for us also as we have currently no relation to anyone in this forum.
On the other hand I understand the business model of SketchUcation. For sure is work and is cost money to run such a forum.
If this forum support new upcoming projects, the companies behind will spend in advertisement as soon as they are confident, that their business model will work.
As currently the 3skeng Plugin is for free and as there is no third party advertisement linked to 3skeng there is actual no possibility for any return on invest.
Mike, thank you for your email with the link to the advertise pricelist. Please give us room to breath and time to develop our first commercial Plugin for SketchUp. As soon as this product is ready and we find capacities for marketing we will advertise on Forums.SketchUcation.com!
I would appreciate if my answer is satisfactorily for you and you do not move this post into quarantine.
Regards, Sebastian, SHK
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That sounds good to me.
Though, as a 20/20 hindsight remark - it would have beneficial if it was explained clearly from the beginning the plans with keeping the product free until it matures. 1001bit also had/has this model, free versions for the beta testers until the developer found the product mature enough. That was clearly explained so there was no mistaking that it was a commercial product.
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