[Plugin] bim-tools 0.13.4(june 22, 2015)

bigstick · 31 Jul 2011, 20:31

Guys, I think this is a great idea with huge potential. I'm really interested in the direction this might take.

brewsky · 1 Aug 2011, 20:50

Thanks Jim!

Although a lot of work needs to be done before it can handle a full building model, I'm trying to add small functional pieces to the program so it can be used without being complete.

I just figured I have been updating the google-code project without reporting back here, I will try to post my progress more often!

I recently added the ability to provide some IFC meta-data(such as project name and description), and improved the menu so sections can be folded, to remove some of the noise/clutter.

Currently I'm working on a wall-opening function.
When that's finished(and has a functional IFC-exporter), I think it's a good demo of the idea, and maybe even usefull for some people(simple building interior walls?).

ZFRPS · 3 Aug 2011, 09:22

I think need change this name bim-tools to skp2ifc ,BIM is very very big !

brewsky · 3 Aug 2011, 10:30

@unknownuser said:

I think need change this name bim-tools to skp2ifc ,BIM is very very big !

I know the scope of a project like this is huge, and probably way to much for one person in his spare time.
It depends on the interpretation of the term "BIM", but IFC alone(and all the necessary tools for defining the objects) is probably equally big...

If anyone has some spare time they are welcome to help out .

The IFC export is an important part of the project, but not it's only purpose.
I would like a designer to be able to assign building properties to faces of a simple building model. Just by way of: "click side-face" = "wall", "click top-face" = "roof".
Every face with an "IFC-label" can be exported to IFC, and then be re-used in a "real" BIM-model.

brewsky · 7 Aug 2011, 07:12

It's getting real fun now!

I have improved the walls, so that a component with the options "glue" and "cut opening" will cut a hole through the wall just like it would in a simple face!

I still have to figure out how to best link the hole with the cutting component, so they move together... and add IFC data so I can update the exporter...

jolran · 7 Aug 2011, 18:27

Looks exiting!

utiler · 7 Aug 2011, 23:11

WOW....! I have been following this thread since it began and am all of a sudden getting excited!!!!!
Well done, Brewsky!

brewsky · 10 Aug 2011, 12:12

Thanks!
Here is the first demo version with wall-openings:
BIM Tools for SketchUp - demo wall opening
It cuts openings, AND you can copy and move them around on the wall!

How to use:

draw some lines and select them
open bim-tools plugin
open "create" menu
click "walls from selection"
create a new component with the options "Glue to": Any or Vertical, "Cut opening". And make sure you draw a face or closed profile on the X/Y plane, just like any cutting component.
Glue the component to the side of the wall
Now it should cut a hole in the wall in the shape of the outer profile(s).

Best use a nested group/component if you don't want geometry other than the profile interfering with the hole.

Known bugs/limitations:

It's still slow with complex wall openings
you can still move opening geometry outside of wall
moving multiple openings together will only cut 1 hole
Please let me know if you find more...

The IFC exporter does not yet include the wall openings.

Jim · 14 Aug 2011, 13:28

Hi Jan,

Thanks for the update. Would you put the download in the first post of this topic, and update the Subject: to reflect the new version and/or date? Having the download in the first post makes it easier for everyone to find the download. Updating the Subject: allows the plugin to appear in the "Recent Updates" section of the Plugins Index. Thanks.

brewsky · 15 Aug 2011, 08:31

@jim said:

Would you put the download in the first post of this topic, and update the Subject: to reflect the new version and/or date?

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your help! I'm still a bit of a newbie on the forum
I had no idea the plugins list was generated from the topic-subjects!

The reason I didn't post the download in the first post is that the exporter is not fully functional, but I realise now that in this way it's not easy to find the latest version...

I'll update to the first post!

johnnygitarr · 2 Dec 2011, 15:35

hi,

i've got a installation error
(see attachment)

bim-tools.rb and bim-tools folder is in the plugins folder from sketchup

i use sketch up pro 8 version 8.0.11751
os lion 10.7.2

anyone a solution for this problem?

greetings

tobi

driven · 2 Dec 2011, 19:54

Hi
require 'bim-tools\ObjectLibrary.rb' require 'bim-tools\parts\opening.rb'

will not run on mac...

open the ruby file and change those to require 'bim-tools/ObjectLibrary.rb' require 'bim-tools/parts/opening.rb'

back slashes in the path don't work, when you've done that, Change any others and then see what errors come next, and fix or post those...

or report success...

john

bigstick · 3 Dec 2011, 09:20

Epic work Jan! I think we actually only need a few IFC compliant object types to get basic interoperability with the major BIM apps.

Walls and openings are of course the most important, but when we have floors and roofs as well, I suspect most of the work will have been done.

When it's working on the Mac, I'll definitely try it out - excellent!

fionmacool · 3 Dec 2011, 19:50

Wow! BIM in Sketchup.... I have to try this! Merci.

pbacot · 4 Dec 2011, 02:15

@fionmacool said:

Wow! BIM in Sketchup.... I have to try this! Merci.

"...in ZEE sketch-UP"

d_e_x · 9 Dec 2011, 14:12

@brewsky said:

@dan rathbun said:

they were working on an exporter at one time... it never was released as far as I can tell.
http://ifc2skpforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2515651

An exporter won't be as simple as an importer I guess. Somehow you need to add "building properties" to the "empty" SketchUp geometry.
That's exactly what I want to do, not try to re-build revit/archicad in sketchup, but create simple building elements that can be translated/labeled to meaningful objects, which could be re-used(via IFC) in CAD systems.

faces can be given thickness and labeled "wall", "floor" or "roof"

edges can be used as paths for profiles(like my current plugin) and labeled "wall", "floor" or "beam"

OMG! great minds think alike

I have been working on the same exact thing for the past few months! I call it SketchUpBIM. Finally, found some courage yesterday to post it on sketchucation. It provides simple tools to create building elements like walls, floors, slabs etc. in SketchUp. Hopefully soon.. these will go out as IFC; and hopefully u can help me with this

check it out: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=41840. It might come in handy at your work. other BIM experts, please also feel free to comment!

Dex

brewsky · 11 Dec 2011, 09:22

Hi Tobi,

I'm sorry, I didn't see your post until now. I'm reading all over the forum, and missing this . Somehow I got unsubscribed from the thread...

I will look into the problem, as John says, it probably has to do with the backslashes.

Does anyone have tips on how to best implement the (back)slashes in file-paths cross-platform?
I've tried a few different things, but don't now what's best...

Cheers,
Jan

brewsky · 11 Dec 2011, 11:37

@didier bur said:

Hi,
Just a side note: to install, create a folder "bimtools" in the Plugins folder, and put the html file in it.

Hi Didier! Thanks for the explanation. I forgot to mention how to install and use it.

Here some additional info:

The plugin creates a "BIM Tools" option in the plugins menu.
When you select this, a webdialog appears with options(wall-width and wall-height).
Select some edges(they must be horizontal) and click the button in the dialog, it will generate a wall section on every edge with the given width and height.

It nicely fixes the corners of all connecting edges, except for walls with different widths/heights and for very short edges.

I was browsing the forum today and noticed that Thomthom's street generator uses a similar principle. the biggest difference seems to be that my walls are separate objects and the streets are nicely glued together(and have a lot more options).

brewsky · 14 Dec 2011, 19:46

Hi Toby!

I just posted a new version(0.9.2), I hope it runs on mac! (sorry can't test it myself).

I removed all backslashes from filepaths as John sugested.

Cheers!
Jan

Dan Rathbun · 14 Dec 2011, 20:23

@brewsky said:

Does anyone have tips on how to best implement the (back)slashes in file-paths cross-platform?

somepath = %q[a/path\to/some\sub\directory] somepath = File.expand_path(somepath)