SimLab 3D PDF plugin adds Unicode support

ashraf · 1 Nov 2010, 09:28

The new release of the SimLab 3D PDF plugin for Google SketchUp enables the user to use Unicode characters in header/footer texts, component, and scene names.

The new release also implements a smarter algorithm to provide the file recipient with easier 3D navigation.

In addition to the English interface the plugin now also includes a German translatin, more translations to be provided in future versions of the plugin.

Note: This is a free upgrade for current users of the plugin.

More information can be found at http://www.simlab-soft.com/3d-plugins/3D-PDF-from-sketchup-main.aspx

ashraf · 9 Nov 2010, 19:36

Thanks for Andrea Pertosa and hebeijianke for providing Italian and Chinese (Simple) translation for the plugin.

Soon we will update the installer to include supported languages, if you want to add support for an additional language please send an email to support@simlab-soft.com and we will send you the process for creating a new translation.

Gaieus · 9 Nov 2010, 19:55

Hi Ashraf,

Is the SimLab composer using this new pdf exporter now? I mean does it automatically integrate whatever PDF exporter version is installed as the exporter plugin under SketchUp?

ashraf · 9 Nov 2010, 21:19

No it does not,

Unicode Support will be added to SimLab Composer in version 2.3, though the PDF engine used is similar it is not exactly the same

Gaieus · 9 Nov 2010, 21:23

OK, makes sense. Thanks anyway. You know I really needed this unicode version.

I still have some feature requests though

ashraf · 10 Nov 2010, 07:04

I will be glad to listen, please let me know what features do you need?

Gaieus · 10 Nov 2010, 08:51

Well, currently the PDF exporter "size" setting works in pixels (as far as I know). Speaking of "virtual" files, this is of course not a problem since one would look at these files on screen anyway as there is no sense to print them - generally.

However since it also has this cool feature that I can append the file to any existing PDF document, and since PDF documents are still those "traditional" (though already often just digital) representations of paper space documents, they are mostly defined in real world scale (different paper sizes).

So when I add the 3D PDF at the end of an existing document, the visual "size" of that "paper" is of course very different. It would be nice to be able to choose between pixel size or real world size (maybe here - in order to somewhat connect the two systems, with dpi settings).

Trying to figure out what pixel count I should add to match but I seem to be failing all the time. Probably it's also monitor dependent this way.

Another thing is Scenes and Layer visibility. Currently Scenes are only exported as cameras but cannot "remember" layer visibility. I can certainly switch layers on/off in the PDF document but we also use Scenes for these demonstration purposes...

ashraf · 10 Nov 2010, 22:29

I will look into those issues.
We had requests from some users to be able to make every view capable of showing different parts of the model.

Hopefully they will be available in the next update

By the way, where is the Hungarian translation ?

Best Regards,

Ashraf

Gaieus · 11 Nov 2010, 09:05

@ashraf said:

By the way, where is the Hungarian translation ?

Hehe... I will make it. Where should I start? (Maybe I have the info somewhere but forget)

ashraf · 12 Nov 2010, 06:16

I sent you all the information, waiting for the translation