[Plugin] Cloud

aerostreak

Didier,
Thanks for the update, it works great. Well, almost. On my setup (Mac OS 10.5.8, Sketchup 8.0.3161) the plugin now handles files correctly with Unix (LF) ending and with Mac (CR) ending... but now it does not correctly handle Win (CR/LF) ending! I feel for you buddy, apparently Ruby is not so easy to coax into the desired behavior.

Here is my report. I downloaded your latest plugin (cloud_v8a) and tested it as the only plugin. I tested Unix (LF) ending first - worked great. Then I tested Mac (CR) ending - worked great. I almost wasn't going to test Win (CR/LF) ending but thought for completeness that I should. So I did that and (if memory serves) it worked great. However, I just happened to click again in the window and the file box came up again. So I thought that the plugin was set up to load another point cloud without having to re-initiate the script (via file menu). So I thought, ok great, I'll do it again. However, the second load of the same file to a different location, and it only loaded one point (first point in the file). It would did not load the rest of the file. So I thought, hmm, maybe I should try this again. I selected another tool and drew a random shape, then re-selected cloud and it failed again to load, only loaded one point. On the plus side: in the past when it loaded only one point (or no points), the dialog box for assigning coordinates to data in the line would always be very long as in my previous post in this thread; however, that dialog is now always working correctly, i.e., the dialog box only has three coordinates even if the cloud does not load properly. Now here is the problem, I have to confess that I was not paying close attention when I tested CR/LF; and I am not certain that the first load worked correctly. I may be confusing that test with another.

So I quit and re-started Sketchup and tested each file ending again. I notice that for Unix and Mac endings, the script always works; however, it will not correctly load the point cloud a second time. In other words, to load multiple point clouds, it is required to select another tool (like the pointer) and restart the script via file menu. So I went and RTFM per your suggestion (lol, point taken) and the manual does not say whether the script should be 'looping' or whether it should end after the loading of the first point cloud that I could find. I've sort-of concluded that the second appearance of the file dialog box, resulting from clicking in the window after loading the first point cloud, is actually a minor defect? In any case it is not critical, it always worked to select another tool (like pointer), restart the script, and load a new point cloud.

So I could always very easily and quickly load multiple point clouds in Mac when the lines are terminated with Unix (LF) or Mac (CR). In that sense it is a great script and will be very useful on Mac now.

However, when continuing on to test Win (CR/LF) line termination on Mac, no joy. On all subsequent tests, I could not get the script to properly load the point cloud. I restarted Sketchup several times and re-verified the line endings via Xcode several times, no joy. It always loaded only the first point. So I am convinced that my memory is flawed, and that the first time I tested Win line ending (described above) I actually was testing Unix or Mac and didn't realize it; thus the first load would work, but not the second (as described). So I believe that Win endings on Mac machines are not working in this latest cloud_v8a version. Now on one of the tests when it loaded only one point, I did happen to select 'triangularize' the point cloud, with the following result:

which I found a bit odd, since there is only one construction point, but clearly the script thinks there are other points not at the origin, which do not have construction points, and which do not match data in the file (i.e., compare to pictures of correct loadings in your previous post). I don't think this is a major problem since the script isn't loading the data correctly in this case to begin with, however I describe this here in case it provides any additional clues for troubleshooting purposes.

Apologies for yet another long post, I know this must be frustrating. I am trying to describe what is happening in as much detail as possible and as accurately as possible to help you find any problems. If it would help for me to post a video of me doing the testing, please let me know and I will try that also, maybe I am making a mistake somewhere and you will then be able to see it.

Conclusion, the script is working great on Mac now with the one exception, a Mac user attempting to load a point cloud file originating from Win (with CR/LF in it) will not work. Some people may be able to fix it on their own, more inexperienced users may not.

In any case the best option for a Mac user needing to load a point cloud is Cloud_v8a.

Thanks for your continued effort, I am using the plugin heavily and appreciate it.

Didier Bur

Weird...
So v8b is here.
Hope it will work in all cases now, although v8a was working with CRLF line endings here.

Ben Ritter

Thx for the update Didier.

Ben

aerostreak

Success with all line endings!

Thanks Didier!

mozzie

Encore - merci beaucoup.

thomthom

Why so many versions? There are four threads for Cloud - and even this one got multiple downloads. Hard to find the "correct" one. At least the old redundant versions should be removed and untagged so they don't appear in the Plugin Index.

bmeg

Didier Bur,

I'm a new and relatively inexperienced user of SU, my introduction is in the newbie forum.

First of all. I Just tried your cloud tools and it's really good. Thank you for sharing.

I'd like to pick your brains a little, do you know of any other point cloud tools or tools for manipulating the meshes created from point clouds. I would be particularly interested in a tool which could produce a best fit surface from
a number of selected meshes and perhaps report on the fit residuals i.e difference between the best fit surface and the
individual points.It would be particularly good if the tool enable a best fit planar surface, dome, pyramid etc.

Thank you in advance

Brian.

@unknownuser said:

Here is an updated version of my cloud script:

Imports and exports (new!) DEM points cloud, several CSV formats supported.

All units (import/export) supported.

Saves id's, altitudes, or any other field as attributes or insert them as texts (new!).

Manage layers, triangulation option.

Doc, sample files and tutorial included.

Also downloadable at my RLDsite: http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/plugin_details.php?id=678

Enjoy,

EDIT: 23.06.10: (Cloud_v71) units bug fix, especially for users of SU 7.1
[attachment=3:bpyvk05a]Cloud_v71.zip[/attachment:bpyvk05a]
EDIT: 28.11.10: (Cloud_v8) support for CR/CRLF text files, cloud origin selectable.
[attachment=2:bpyvk05a]Cloud_v8.zip[/attachment:bpyvk05a]
EDIT 29.11.10 Bug fix.
[attachment=1:bpyvk05a]Cloud_v8a.zip[/attachment:bpyvk05a]
EDIT 01.12.10
[attachment=0:bpyvk05a]Cloud_v8b.zip[/attachment:bpyvk05a]

Didier Bur

Hi,
I'm not aware of a free plugin that do these kinds of thing, but here is a (payware) interesting plugin:
http://scanable.org/software/modeling/pointools-introduces-point-cloud-plug-in-for-google-sketchup/
Rather expensive

qconsult

Dear Sir,

Please advise on possible work-flow concerning storing the "ID" tag from CSV as a component attribute.

Any/all advice will be appreciated.

Kind regards,

Q

jaspergardner

I am having problems trying to install Cloud_v8b on my mac, does this version work for mac?

Didier Bur

Hi,
What kind of problem to install ? Please describe it more precisely so I can help.

George

Hello Didier,

It seems Cloud and SU 2014 are not getting along.

When I open SketchUp 2014, cloud_v8b.rbs throws a Load Error.
Fixable?

Error: #<SyntaxError: c:/users/george/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2014/sketchup/plugins/cloud_v8b.rbs:347: Invalid break> c:/users/george/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2014/sketchup/plugins/cloud_v8b.rbs

Dell Precision T3400
MS Windows 8.1 32-bit
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 @ 3.00GHz
4GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800 768GB

TIG

For v2014 compatibility I suspect that it's something simple that Didier needs to fix is his RB version and recompile into the RBS...
Unfortunately, because it encrypted only Didier knows what is going on inside the code...

I suggest you PM him - he needs nagging to get several of his plugins updated to be v2014 compatible.
Where he has supplied a 'packed' RB file I have offered a temporary fix using the final .to_s -> [0] - which several users are successfully using, BUT unfortunately for his RBS versions that's NOT possible

ninomayda

Having trouble installing on SU-2014. Am I missing something? Alternatives available?

Regards
Nino

TIG

My post [just before yours] already 'explains' this http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=518532#p518532
There are several tools that do some of these things...
What do you want to do, exactly?

michelmtl

Hi Didier,
I got a problem just trying to load this plugin on SU14, win 8.1

Error: #<SyntaxError: c:/users/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2014/sketchup/plugins/cloud_v8b.rbs:347: Invalid break>
c:/users/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2014/sketchup/plugins/cloud_v8b.rbs

Any ideas?

TIG

@michelmtl said:

Hi Didier,
I got a problem just trying to load this plugin on SU14, win 8.1

Error: #<SyntaxError: c:/users/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2014/sketchup/plugins/cloud_v8b.rbs:347: Invalid break>
c:/users/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2014/sketchup/plugins/cloud_v8b.rbs

Any ideas?
If you read the few previous posts you'd see that it's incompatible with v2014.
It's probably an easy fix BUT Didier ought to do it

George

@tig said:

...it's incompatible with v2014.
It's probably an easy fix BUT Didier ought to do it

Sadly it seems Didier hasn't the time to do it.
Might he consider handing the task to a trusted fellow developer?
It's a shame to lose such a useful tool for even a short time; more so when left to languish for months.

TIG

Didier is too busy, but he has given me permission to update his script for him.
That new version 'v8.0bx' is available in the PluginStore.
http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=Cloud
It is now compatible with v2014...

sherwood111

very useful, thank you very much !

v8 works for me with SU8 pro x32, windows 8.1

v8b does not appear to work with SU 2015 x64, windows 8.1
vertical (z axis) data appears to be ignored
all points are on a flat horizontal plane
X Y positions/locations render correctly
same .csv data file imports into both SU8pro (v8) and SU2015 (v8b)

I don't know if it matters . . .
I notice extra characters in v8b 'points cloud options' input dialog window
the extra characters "] do not appear in v8 SU8pro

I'm unable to tinker with the .rbs file

cloud v8, SU8 pro x32 windows 8.1

cloud v8b, SU2015 x64 windows 8.1