[Plugin] Selection Toys

Chris Fullmer · 7 Nov 2009, 01:06

I could see it going a few ways, but one would be to have it set up like the undo stack. But it doesn't remember every different selection. Only ones you add to it. So you would have a shortcut key to add the current selection into the selection stack. And a shortcut key to work backwards through the selection stack.

Example.

Make an important selection
Hit F5 to add the current selection to the stack.
repeat as needed.
Hit F6 to work backwards through the selection stack
Hit F7 to move forwards through the selection stack.

That could be quite useful.

I also am thinking of other apps that make named lists, and you have to save and recall the selection through the list of named sets. But that seems difficult in SU to me I think. But maybe it would work. I supposed the list could be in a html dialog box and warn you if your selection set has changed wince it was created. And give the option to update the selection set, etc.

Just some thoughts.

Plus, I think TIG or Rick maybe has a selection memmory plugin already? I wonder how their's works. Maybe I should check it out.

Chris

jeff hammond · 7 Nov 2009, 01:13

i use rickw's selectionmemory and it's sweet.. i use the free version but he also has a premium version which allows for different sets.

with the version i use, i can make selections and save them, add to them, and recall or clear..
perfect for me but if you'd like the ability to have multiple sets, get the premium.

i also vaguely remember trying one a few years ago which had a toolbar/icons.. i'm pretty sure jim wrote it?

[edit] yeah, jim foltz has one available too (free).. this one has the option to deselect from the memory set as well..
http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/2008/01/plugin-selection-memory.html

jeff hammond · 7 Nov 2009, 01:18

and Thomas,
v2 is looking sweet.. i haven't used the plugin in the past as i was a little overwhelmed by all the choices at first (and i was in the process of learning some other things at the time).. i'm giving it a legit shot now and it's great.
thank you!

thomthom · 7 Nov 2009, 01:20

@chris fullmer said:

I also am thinking of other apps that make named lists, and you have to save and recall the selection through the list of named sets. But that seems difficult in SU to me I think. But maybe it would work. I supposed the list could be in a html dialog box and warn you if your selection set has changed wince it was created. And give the option to update the selection set, etc.

I was thinking of adding selection tacks to the On Screen tool. As you modify/filter the selection you take snapshots. Autonamed, but you can set your own custom.

thomthom · 7 Nov 2009, 01:23

@unknownuser said:

and Thomas,
v2 is looking sweet.. i haven't used the plugin in the past as i was a little overwhelmed by all the choices at first (and i was in the process of learning some other things at the time).. i'm giving it a legit shot now and it's great.
thank you!

Yea, it's grown a bit since its first appearance nearly a year ago. I find it difficult myself to make an organized overview in the main post.

Hopefully the little cheat sheet can help.

btw, the two functions I use the most is Select Only->Edges and Select Only->Faces. I've assigned them to Ctrl+1 and Ctrl+2 and it's probably the functions I use the most when I use SU.

thomthom · 7 Nov 2009, 17:11

It's SU that automatically toggle the button down. Mechanism of assigning a Tool to a toolbar button.

I don't really feel I want to add another toolbar button just to deactivate it. Personally I use hotkeys a lot and I always tap the Space bar to activate Select. One hand on the keyboard and one hand on the mouse. Rarely moving up to click toolbar buttons or menus. But I've observed at work that many work by point and click for nearly all their operations.

Maybe an on screen button. Or make it so that if you click empty space it deactivates the tool.

JClements · 7 Nov 2009, 17:49

Thomas, shouldn't the Select Edge Loops icon in the Toolbar be a "Toggle button"...or add a "red" version of the icon to turn it off.

Currently, you can turn it on by clicking it but clicking it again wont turn it off. User has to manually select SU's Select Tool.

John

xrok1 · 7 Nov 2009, 19:58

@thomthom said:

@chris fullmer said:

I also am thinking of other apps that make named lists, and you have to save and recall the selection through the list of named sets. But that seems difficult in SU to me I think. But maybe it would work. I supposed the list could be in a html dialog box and warn you if your selection set has changed wince it was created. And give the option to update the selection set, etc.

I was thinking of adding selection tacks to the On Screen tool. As you modify/filter the selection you take snapshots. Autonamed, but you can set your own custom.

YES!! please do.

one more thing if i may. you know how if you use the eraser button everything you pass over highlights and if you select another tool before you let the button up... a selection toy like that would be great, i know there is: but one that can select not just edges would be

ale one · 10 Nov 2009, 16:52

Very good script thomthom.
Only i want to say what will be fantastic to add more functions to the loop selection tool,for the edges and faces. (i know it has been commented previously)
thank you very much for your script.
sorry for my bad inglish ;D

rami_lpm · 18 Nov 2009, 15:15

you'll be getting a lot of cookies for this one.

CadFather · 19 Nov 2009, 11:20

Hi Thom, a late Thanks for this..

is there a chance of having the context menu items available as toolbar choices?

i can help with the icons if you need

cheers

thomthom · 19 Nov 2009, 11:35

The items for Group Copies and Instances?

CadFather · 19 Nov 2009, 11:49

yes, comps and groups is a first choice. of course i shortcut them, which works fine, but there are lots of others:
especially in the select submenu.

thomthom · 19 Nov 2009, 11:58

I'll make note of that for the next version.

CadFather · 19 Nov 2009, 12:07

Thanks Thom, and if i can help with anything let me know.

thomthom · 19 Nov 2009, 12:08

Cheers. I'll let you know if I do. Currently I'm working on a new feature. Will do the toolbar once that's done along with some improvement to the tool's descriptions.

e-anima · 26 Nov 2009, 11:01

i do not know how to do the following. i have a cylinder and it is seperated in the middle by a loop of edges around. its like cut in the middle. how can i only select thes edges. its an edge ring. thank you

free agent · 2 Dec 2009, 09:55

Hi Thom

im getting this error on opening sketchup

Error Loading File tt_selection_toys.rb
No such file to load -- TT_Plugin_Manager/tt_plugin_manager.rb

thomthom · 2 Dec 2009, 10:33

@unknownuser said:

Hi Thom

im getting this error on opening sketchup

Error Loading File tt_selection_toys.rb
No such file to load -- TT_Plugin_Manager/tt_plugin_manager.rb

Did you download the required Plugin Manager package as well?

free agent · 2 Dec 2009, 12:17

so ur saying read the instruction before posting random complaints?....