[Plugin] Selection Toys

fossa · 16 Oct 2009, 18:15

Great tool. Thank you for sharing with the community.

After reading Daniel Tal's book I was thinking that a tool like this would be very handy.

Have you given any thought to trying to select like Blenders ring/chain command.

thomthom · 16 Oct 2009, 18:18

I've not used Blender - how does these functions work?

mitcorb · 17 Oct 2009, 04:04

Please pardon the intrusion.
Fossa is talking about Blender's loop subdivide feature.
One can invoke a loop around the target geometry and, with the scroll wheel, increase or decrease the number of loops. This is usually used on narrow, elongated solids. The command first sets the initial loop at the midpoint of the target region, and then replicates/multiplies that loop as the scroll wheel is advanced or reversed. This is very similar to the Sketchup Divide command, which only works on edges.
After observing by using your Selection Toys and Fredo6's Tools on Surface plugins, I am guessing it's gonna be either you or he who will finally implement this in Sketchup. The clue may be in whatever SU is doing in the Divide command.
I believe there is a Blender video tutorial on loop subdivide at gryllus.net, though I haven't been there in a while.

xrok1 · 17 Oct 2009, 18:02

reat tool, thankyou.

would it be possible to select loops in the other direction, without faces (rings)?

thomthom · 17 Oct 2009, 18:41

I have been looking into that - but I've found it hard to reliably select - determine the path for the edges to select.
Other applications which has this feature seem to operate with quads, but not SU.
Got some ideas I'll try out - but at the moment I'm working on V2.0 and I just recently managed to loose the work I did so I have to redo it all over again. Any attempts for the ring select will be after the V2.0 release.

mitcorb · 17 Oct 2009, 20:54

Thomthom:
I am not sure if you were responding to me or xrok1, or both?

@unknownuser said:

I have been looking into that - but I've found it hard to reliably select - determine the path for the edges to select.

thomthom · 17 Oct 2009, 20:57

I was replying to xrok1.
I'm still not 100% sure about the feature you requested. If it's subdividing geometry then it sounds like it's another plugin by its self.
I think that fossa's request was similar to xrok1's - a pure selection tool.

mitcorb · 17 Oct 2009, 21:14

Ok.
Best wishes,
mitcorb

Fletch · 23 Oct 2009, 13:42

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22523#p189527

Thomthom,
Do you have a solution for this problem (like your select similar groups, but that selects consecutively named components and replaces them with just a single instance) it's a really unique need, so not sure if it's worth your time...

thomthom · 23 Oct 2009, 13:59

Will have a look at it over the weekend. Right now I'm off to beer and poker!

thomthom · 3 Nov 2009, 21:51

Whoop whoop! BIG update!


2.0.0 - 28.10.2009
      * Renamed "Face Loops" to "Select Edge Loops". Trying to avoid confusion with Quad-face loop.
      * Code refactoring to minimize duplicate code.
      * Uses Plugin Manager to allow customization of the UI.
      * Added support for polygon entities for SU7.1M1+.
      * Added toolbar.
      * Fixed issues when comparing floating values. Affected Area select.
      * Fixed group parent bug. (Again!)
      * Converting groups to components now transfer all but glued_to property and attributes.
      * Completed selection speed optimization.
      * Select Active Instances only selects hidden when View Hidden is on.
      * Improved Select Opposite Face.
      * Added selection filter Section Planes.

EarthMover · 3 Nov 2009, 22:19

Wow Bro...you've really outdone ye self. Awesome job with the UI and the new toolbar. I can't thank you enough for this plugin. I've grown heavily dependent upon it!!!

xrok1 · 3 Nov 2009, 22:25

you're hired!

thomthom · 3 Nov 2009, 22:32

Glad you guys like it.

I got an idea for an improved Selection Filter tool. On screen UI - inspired by Fredo's tools. I just had to get this version 2.0 done first - making the preparations.

Personally I use mostly the Edge and Face filter, occasionally Group and Component. They are all assigned to Ctrl+1 to Ctrl+4. I have found no point in adding shortcuts for the rest of the types - as I rarely use them so I never remember the shortcut. Also, there isn't enough keys on the keyboard for them all. Thats why I'm planning on adding an on-screen filter palette which pops up under the cursor for quick access. It should allow for the user to select multiple types of entities to select/deselect.

xrok1 · 3 Nov 2009, 22:35

you're making it very hard for me to decide what my favorite plugin is!

Dave R · 3 Nov 2009, 23:02

Thom, what kind of cookies? And failing the cookies, what kind of beer? I've been trying to track down some Nøgne Ø over here with little luck.

thomthom · 3 Nov 2009, 23:12

@dave r said:

Thom, what kind of cookies? And failing the cookies, what kind of beer? I've been trying to track down some Nøgne Ø over here with little luck.

When it comes to cookies and beer and pretty omnivore.
Though cookies that often rank high has chocolate in them.
As for beer, I drink mostly anything except white/blond beer. In fact - it's a particular hobby of mine to sample new brands of beer. I often go by the name or illustration on the bottle.

@dave r said:

I've been trying to track down some Nøgne Ø over here with little luck.

I remember sampling that - though I have trouble recalling my verdict...
I just got myself a book with index of beer from around the world, going to write up my notes as I traverse the pages.

Dave R · 3 Nov 2009, 23:18

I had one bottle of Ø awhile back. the label isn't much to go on but I liked it. I also liked the fact the bottle's contents would actually fill a English pint glass which most american beers won't. I read somewhere that Nøgne was ranked very highly as Norwegian brews go. Come visit me and I'll set you up with some Sprecher's and some Summit.

As to cookies, hmmm...chocolate I can do.

thomthom · 3 Nov 2009, 23:27

I find Norway to be a poor beer country. Hard to come by a pub/bar that sells any interesting beer types. Normally they all serve the same three brands. I was spoiled while I lived in England. But I have my sources.

Dave R · 3 Nov 2009, 23:38

I suppose you are right. When we were doing the Coastal Steamer cruise in 2000, there were some other Americans whose main reason for the cruise was to drink as much beer in as many pubs/bars as they could and they'd bring back the glasses. I think brought home more glass than clothes. Even if the ship was in a port for 30 minutes, they'd be off to find a pub.