[Plugin] 2D Tools

TIG · 9 Jul 2010, 22:36

I know why the MAC Help doesn't open.

If you put this attached file into the ../Plugins/2Dtools/ folder in place of the earlier one it should open Help on a Mac... 2D#loader.rb I've also temporarily added this updated file to the first item in this thread...

2D Tools sub-menu is to be found under the Draw menu...

Michaelv · 11 Jul 2010, 18:08

@tig said:

I know why the MAC Help doesn't open.

If you put this attached file into the ../Plugins/2Dtools/ folder in place of the earlier one it should open Help on a Mac... [attachment=0:36uy3x3m]2D#loader.rb[/attachment:36uy3x3m] I've also temporarily added this updated file to the first item in this thread...

2D Tools sub-menu is to be found under the Draw menu...

It works like a charm, thank you Sir! Sorry for the submenu, I can't believe I didn't find it before, I always used he toolbar so never looked for it, it's only until you mentionned whether help could be accessed from the submenu that I tried to find it.

Michaelv · 11 Jul 2010, 19:59

OK I've solved the problem of the control key on Macs. Into the ruby programs that correspond to tools that have a ctrl modifier, I changed all tests for VK_CONTROL into VK_COMMAND, I changed the display to cmd too.
I don't have stuff to zip but I'll gladly send you the modified files through email or whatever you'd like.
Thanks TIG

TIG · 11 Jul 2010, 21:25

So are you saying id I change the '..==VK_CONTROL' tests to '..==VK_CONTROL or ..==VK_COMMAND' it'll work on both PC AND MAC?
Please post or PM the files
I need to prepare an update...

thomthom · 11 Jul 2010, 22:37

TIG:
Use none of them. Use the constants listed in the Tool class' description.
http://code.google.com/apis/sketchup/docs/ourdoc/tool.html

@unknownuser said:

CONSTRAIN_MODIFIER_KEY = Shift Key
CONSTRAIN_MODIFIER_MASK = Shift Key
COPY_MODIFIER_KEY = Menu on Mac, Ctrl on PC
COPY_MODIFIER_MASK = Alt on Mac, Ctrl on PC
ALT_MODIFIER_KEY = Command on Mac, Menu on PC
ALT_MODIFIER_MASK = Command on Mac, Alt on PC

Michaelv · 11 Jul 2010, 23:23

@tig said:

So are you saying id I change the '..==VK_CONTROL' tests to '..==VK_CONTROL or ..==VK_COMMAND' it'll work on both PC AND MAC?
Please post or PM the files
I need to prepare an update...

Well here is the thing, the control command on MAC should work but it didn't and I don't know why, sometimes it is said and written that the control function on PC is the command function on MAC, it didn't work in this case either.
So I just substituted the Command key to the control key and left the ALT alone (which is option on MAC).
I'm not sure what the VK_COMMAND corresponding key is on PC if any (maybe the window icon key).
For the sake of information here is some I found: http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2007/08/11/how-apple-keyboards-lost-a-logo-and-windows-pcs-gained-one/
So the "or" line may work but may introduce a second key on PC which may not be desirable.

As for the generic commands that Thomthom listed they will work but beware. I thought about using those too, but in my particular case I work on a laptop and I don't have a "menu" key AFAIK, so again it's not as universal as they'd like.
Copy_modifier_mask and Alt_modifier_mask would work fine here it seems but they reverse the use (ctrl and alt)
As you saw from the story above the control key is really the command key on mac keyboard so I found it just simpler and more intuitive to modify all (text and variables), where option/alt remains such and command becomes the more global modifier. Much more logical and clean as the text match too.

Files coming later tonight.

On the 2D line, alt could be a 3 way toggle too but that's more work.

The link that Thomthom posted has all the variables mentioned (VK_COMMAND, etc..) lower in the text. They claim it to be universal Mac/PC but I'm not sure. VK-ALT for sure (Option/Alt key on my keyboard)

TIG · 12 Jul 2010, 07:58

I can set a test for a PC or Mac OS and then use the appropiate VK_...

thomthom · 12 Jul 2010, 08:37

@michaelv said:

As for the generic commands that Thomthom listed they will work but beware. I thought about using those too, but in my particular case I work on a laptop and I don't have a "menu" key AFAIK, so again it's not as universal as they'd like.

"Menu" is the "Alt" key - I don't know why the manual says "Menu".
I have that small wireless keyboard for my Mac, and I have all the keys required. And I expect you have an Alt key available.

Those generic keys are the least work as they avoid having to test for Windows or Mac.

TIG · 12 Jul 2010, 11:46

But since Alt and Ctrl are effectively swapped over from PC to Mac using this method you'd need to test to change prompts and Help files, as Alt on the Mac is not Alt on the PC.

PC Ctrl = Mac Cmd - = VK_CONTROL or = VK_COMMAND for PC/Mac respectively.
PC Alt = Mac Opt - both = VK_ALT
PC Shift = Mac Shift - both = VK_SHIFT

In 2Dtools it's a simple fix to test for both key presses ? If a PC user presses 'command' [whatever that is?] then it's the same as pressing 'ctrl' anyway, as the 'command' key is not used otherwise on PC and there's no 'ctrl' key on a Mac to muddle us? The 2Dlinetool uses TAB to set Z value option, but it looks for two possible key press codes because TAB varies on the PC and Mac... if key == 9 or key == 15 ### 9 for PC and 15 for MAC...

thomthom · 12 Jul 2010, 11:54

No, this is exactly why COPY_MODIFIER_MASK is for "Alt on Mac, Ctrl on PC"

The *_MODIFIER_KEY and *_MODIFIER_MASK let you check for the various modifiers in a cross platform method.

TIG · 12 Jul 2010, 11:59

The PC user presses Alt - a Mac user usually thinks of Mac's Opt == PC's Alt - so a Mac user should press Opt......... As I see it this suggested method is contra-logical......

thomthom · 12 Jul 2010, 12:20

Yea - names are confusing, mainly the ALT_* constants, but using these constants will match up the modifier key behaviour of native SketchUp. And I guess it matches common behaviour of the platform?

Since OSX has 4 modifier keys and Windows has 3 - things aren't mapped 1 to 1.

grim · 14 Jul 2010, 23:58

tig

is it posible to get these 2d tools working in the layout portion of sketchup?

they would be a great help when preparing documentation drawings

regards

grim

TIG · 15 Jul 2010, 08:05

@grim said:

tig
is it posible to get these 2d tools working in the layout portion of sketchup?
they would be a great help when preparing documentation drawings
regards
grim

Sorry, but SUp's .rb isn't transferable to LO - there are lots of useful tools inside LO though ??

ken · 11 Aug 2010, 12:58

TIG

On the 2D Text tool would it be possible to limit the color selection to just 8 colors. Right now the end of the list is off screen's bottom and this makes it impossible to select yellow or any other color that is be at the bottom.

Again thanks for the plugin.

Ken

TIG · 11 Aug 2010, 13:27

@unknownuser said:

TIG

On the 2D Text tool would it be possible to limit the color selection to just 8 colors. Right now the end of the list is off screen's bottom and this makes it impossible to select yellow or any other color that is be at the bottom.

Again thanks for the plugin.

Ken

You CANselect off any list that goes off the screen...
Select that list option...
Type the first letter of the color you want - say W for 'White'
The list jumps to 'Wheat' - because it's the first item starting with W...
Now use the down-arrow key to scroll through the list until you have 'White' selected
If you wanted 'Violet' use the up-arrow key to scroll up to that etc...
In your example pressing 'Y' would jump to 'Yellow' directly as that is the first item it finds...
The clunky 'inputbox' methods are not great but you can work through them...
A web-dialog based interface with proper-scrolling is on the to-do-list...

ken · 11 Aug 2010, 13:56

TIG

Thanks. That works for me. I was unaware of this feature.

Again, thanks for your plugins.

Onto another note, will you be at 3D Basecamp?

Ken

TIG · 11 Aug 2010, 14:10

@unknownuser said:

TIG
Thanks. That works for me. I was unaware of this feature.
Again, thanks for your plugins.
Onto another note, will you be at 3D Basecamp?
Ken

Unfortunately, it's a no.
Google arranged 3D Basecamp a verybad time...
I have a sick relative coming to live with us around then... AND I have to get things ready [like finish the new ground-floor bedroom/bathroom etc]... AND also it's aloooong way... AND it's a lot of money for a few days' junket AND... it starts on my wife's birthday AND it ends on our wedding-anniversary
So all in all a resounding 'no' - though I would have loved to have gone

utiler · 11 Aug 2010, 23:07

@tig said:

@unknownuser said:

TIG
Thanks. That works for me. I was unaware of this feature.
Again, thanks for your plugins.
Onto another note, will you be at 3D Basecamp?
Ken

Unfortunately, it's a no.
Google arranged 3D Basecamp a verybad time...
I have a sick relative coming to live with us around then... AND I have to get things ready [like finish the new ground-floor bedroom/bathroom etc]... AND also it's aloooong way... AND it's a lot of money for a few days' junket AND... it starts on my wife's birthday AND it ends on our wedding-anniversary
So all in all a resounding 'no' - though I would have loved to have gone

Excuses, excuses, TIG....

gcp310 · 24 Aug 2010, 23:59

does this plugin only work for SU porfessional, or will it work with the free version.

i cant get it to load up.

Thanks

Glenn