[Plugin] jf_get_dimensions.rb

Ben Ritter · 8 Jun 2010, 16:02

Jim, thank you for sharing.

dedmin · 24 Jun 2010, 06:30

thomthom · 24 Jun 2010, 06:41

In SketchUp when it rounds of a value it prefix it with a tilde ~.
If the lenght is 10.522221 and your model units are set to display only two decimals, SU will display that as "~ 10.52"

dedmin · 24 Jun 2010, 06:56

The problem is that the plugin can't recognize SketchUP's circles - it shows different sizes for x and y. Here is the old plugin:

Ben Ritter · 24 Jun 2010, 10:48

Jim, thank you.

Jim · 24 Jun 2010, 12:14

@ben ritter said:

Jim, thank you.

You're welcome.
@dedmin said:

The problem is that the plugin can't recognize SketchUP's circles - it shows different sizes for x and y. Here is the old plugin:

This knows nothing of circles, or any other actual geometry. It only reports the BoundingBox dimensions adjusted for rotation.

Dave, that is the only way I can reproduce the results. And it makes sense (to me, anyway) that an odd-sided circle has differing dimensions due to the segments being non-symmetrical.

Dave R · 24 Jun 2010, 12:44

I get the same results as dedmin if I drag out the radius of the circle off axis or if I use an odd number (25) of sides for the circle instead of an even number. On the other hand, with the radius dragged out on axis and an even number of sides, I get the same value for x and y even with Precision set to 0.000001mm it is the same value. Those results are all understandable since the plugin is reporting the size of the bounding box.

dedmin · 24 Jun 2010, 13:04

I see. Thanks for the explanation. This SketchUp "geometry" is becoming a big problem for me. To bad, but I have to move to other more precise software.

thomthom · 24 Jun 2010, 13:07

Sounds like you might need a NURBS modeller - one that understand circles.
Bonzai or Rhino comes to mind.

dedmin · 24 Jun 2010, 13:36

Rhino is my choice - the new version 5 is very promising. Gonna miss SketchUp's components, FredoScale and the community!

dedmin · 25 Feb 2011, 08:38

Here is a new version that displays the dimensions on the status bar

Made by a russian guy called 'newsposting'
GetDimensions.rb

mitcorb · 25 Feb 2011, 13:36

Hi, dedmin:
Can you point to the source of the Russian guy's plugin?

TIG · 25 Feb 2011, 13:58

Because this particular short code 'sorts' the three dimensions then the 'thickness' is always the least of them and the 'length' always the greatest and the 'width' is what's left over.
Be aware that it does not return the X/Y/Z dimensions - these would be dims[1], dims[0] and dims[2] respectively IF dims.sort! were to be omitted...

Dave R · 25 Feb 2011, 14:07

For my use I'm not so worried about which is X, Y or Z. Thickness is generally the lowest value and length is usually (although not always) the longest dimension.

This new version puts a menu entry in the Tools menu but does not display dimensions anywhere for my selected component. Doesn't work on groups either.

newsposting · 25 Feb 2011, 16:31

Thank dedmin, that upload changed plugin. I looked at the comments in the forum and would immediately respond.

I did not change the algorithm for determining the length, width and height, and left it in its original form, only changed the location of information display.
Call plugin from the menu is not convenient, since after a mouse movement information is lost. But it is very convenient to assign a hot key, such as (W), and using the command Select, selected element, press W, and the information appears at the bottom, select the next element, and then press W again appear at the bottom of the data about the object. As for me it is very convenient. In this Select command is not disabled, which is also very convenient.

dedmin · 25 Feb 2011, 16:49

Sorry, I didn't check it by myself - there were no SketchUP installed. This version works by a shortcut - You assign a shortcut to this plugin and when select group or component press the shortcut - You see the dimensions in the status bar - as soon as You move the mouse they are gone. Pretty useful actually.

Dave R · 25 Feb 2011, 16:56

There's a big difference. Thank you for the explanation.

newsposting · 25 Feb 2011, 17:07

Hi, all.

This, I modified the plugin Get Dimensions. If you have any questions I can answer.

newsposting · 28 Feb 2011, 20:43

I upgraded the plugin, and now SketchUp automatically show the dimensions, without click menu item and hotkey, and this feature can be disabled if it interferes.

Download link:
Dimensions Tool

Menu:
Tools > Dimensions Tool > Get Dimensions - old functional
Tools > Dimensions Tool > Auto Display Dimensions - checked menu item, which switch auto get dimensions functionality after select object.

P.S. Let me know if you need to modify the algorithm and move plugin to another menu for the convenience.

dedmin · 1 Mar 2011, 09:25