[Plugin] 2D Tools

davidterry · 16 Dec 2011, 03:45

Neither the line color or style is working for me. I am using SU version 8. Is there a line scale function somewhere? Didn't notice.

TIG · 16 Dec 2011, 11:43

@davidterry said:

Neither the line color or style is working for me. I am using SU version 8. Is there a line scale function somewhere? Didn't notice.
How isn't it working ?
Can you please be more specific...

The styled-line's width affects the spacing of any pattern's dots/dashes - so on very large scale lines you need them to be wide to get a meaningful pattern, on very short lines there might be no room to fit in any pattern if the width is too great.
The color is whatever you set it to in the dialog...
You have been right-clicking in open-space to get the style-settings dialog ?
This let's you set these values...
The 'default' is a modest-width [this varies with model-units in "/mm], the pattern is 'continuous' and color is 'black'.
Choose another width, pattern or color as desired...

After you've styled a line, then later on you can select it and right-click to get the context-menu and 'Edit' the line-style: the dialog reappears and you can then change width/pattern/color as desired...

osage · 24 Dec 2011, 19:25

Hello TIG. Just downloaded and install your great plugin. But I have a problem. I read the help file, but I can't find where you edit the FILLET tool parameters. I pick both lines...but nothing happens...like, the radius must be zero or something. Where do you set the radius? BTW, I didn't have time to read this entire thread...but I will, soon.

TIG · 24 Dec 2011, 22:10

@3ddetailer said:

Hello TIG. Just downloaded and install your great plugin. But I have a problem. I read the help file, but I can't find where you edit the FILLET tool parameters. I pick both lines... but nothing happens...like, the radius must be zero or something. Where do you set the radius? BTW, I didn't have time to read this entire thread...but I will, soon.

Whilst the tool is active [before you have completed the two line picking] type in the fillet segments [e.g. 6s] if you want to change that, OR more usually just the radius [default is 0 so two line that already meet aren't affected] - e.g. 6.6 in current units, then press <enter> and the fillet has those settings, you can change parameters at any time until you confirm the fillet by doing the next one or selecting another tool; note that any fillet you make thereafter will use those same settings too until you change them - even across sessions of that SKP/model...

osage · 24 Dec 2011, 23:04

Wow! Now I get it. Works great!! I've been looking for that plugin for a long time~ Thank you so much! That's what I like about SketchUcation. Immediete HELP!

Ok, got another one for you. How do I change the TEXT size in the Window I am writing this, without changing the Text size in the actual post. Old age syndrome...I CAN"T read what I'm typing. Probably because my monitors are on my console, which are 4' from my eyes. You see, my monitors are part of my Recording studio console. Heres a pic so you see why. I have two computers and three monitors, and my Skethup computer is part of my Studio recording computer too. Anyway, thanks for any help.
fitZ

thomthom · 24 Dec 2011, 23:06

Increase the text in your browser. Usually you can do that by pressing Ctrl and Pluss / Minus

charly2008 · 25 Dec 2011, 13:50

Hi,

or Ctrl and Mouse wheel.

Charly

osage · 27 Dec 2011, 02:51

@thomthom said:

Increase the text in your browser. Usually you can do that by pressing Ctrl and Pluss / Minus
OMG!!! How cool.

@charly2008 said:

Hi,

or Ctrl and Mouse wheel.

Charly
Good grief, that works great! Learn sompin new evra dey!

Thanks a million guys. Old farts need all the help they can get.

Ok, now I've got a question regarding setting the radius in the fillet tool. when I pick the tool, the default value in the measurements window is 1". I can enter a smaller value like .5, but as soon as I pick Line1, it reverts back to 1". How do I change the value of the Fillet radius? You mentioned entering in the "segment value", but the Text in the measurement window is in INCHES. Got any ideas? I really like this tool set, especially the fillet. I"d use it all the time...IF I can set a value LESS than ONE INCH. Thanks for any insight.

fitZ

TIG · 27 Dec 2011, 10:39

Whenever you type in a value [into the VCB - for any tool] you must press <enter> to tell Sketchup you have finished typing - otherwise it won't know.
For example you want to use 0.25 how would it know that you weren't done typing at 0.2 - it's waiting for an <enter>
So if you want 0.5 type in 0.5+<enter> or 0.2 use 0.2+<enter> or 0.25 use 0.25+<enter>.

Remember with the fillet tool it remembers the last used fillet forever - so if you last used 1" that's what it'll use next time. You can also change the number of segments in the fillet using a 's' suffix so 6s [+<enter>] sets the fillets to use six segments...

osage · 29 Dec 2011, 17:10

@unknownuser said:

For example you want to use 0.25 how would it know that you weren't done typing at 0.2 - it's waiting for an <enter>

DOH!! As a long time detailer...I should have instinctively known that. I discovered it shortly after I posted my question. Sorry bout that TIG.
And btw, I don't have time to read this entire thread in one sitting.
And I probably couldn't remember everything even if I could.

So that brings me to another question. I tried to find an answer by searching a few tags..but I didn't find it.

Question. When I "place" a 2d Text entity on a model face, just like if you draw an entity on the face of another, the entities are "co-planar". That results in a visual anomaly where, depending on how you view the entities, one or the other will be predominant, or one will partially show, but as you move your view, it changes. Is there something in the tool set or variables whereby when you "place" the text, it "removes" the same area on the face of the other entity within the boundaries of the Text, or something to that effect? When I place 3d text, it somehow hides the plane of the entity on which it is placed, within the boundaries of the text itself. AND, you can see it on both faces of the entity. I hope that makes sense.

Anyway, thanks for the reply.
fitZ

TIG · 29 Dec 2011, 18:48

A piece of 2dText is actually made ~1mm above the face it glues onto.
This is to avoid 'z-fighting'.
Is there another problem ?

osage · 30 Dec 2011, 00:18

@unknownuser said:

A piece of 2dText is actually made ~1mm above the face it glues onto.

Gotcha! I see that now. cool.

@unknownuser said:

Is there another problem ?
Well, there might be Give me a day or two to find one. I'm learning this tool set slowly but surely.
Anyway, thanks Tig.

Fletch · 9 Jan 2012, 03:42

TIG
Fantastic job on this set of tools. They are an "essential set" IMHO for any architect using SU.
Thank you so much for sharing this.

osage · 9 Jan 2012, 17:52

@unknownuser said:

Well, there might be Give me a day or two to find one.

Ok, I admit it took longer than a day or two, but that's due to searching for an answer over the last week, and putting up with the problem until I could find a solution.

So, I beg your indulgence. When I fillet a set of lines, a "tic" mark appears at the center of the chosen radius. I can erase each one, but it's time consuming. Is there a way of either hide them, or erase all at the same time...or a tic "parameter" of some kind I'm not aware of yet? Again, I haven't had time to read the entire thread, but I did a search for a solution but didn't find any.

@unknownuser said:

TIG
Fantastic job on this set of tools.

Ditto. Thanks a mill for these tools. Just gotta learn to use them correctly.

TIG
Fantastic job on this set of tools. [/quote]

d12dozr · 9 Jan 2012, 18:12

@3ddetailer said:

...When I fillet a set of lines, a "tic" mark appears at the center of the chosen radius. I can erase each one, but it's time consuming. Is there a way of either hide them, or erase all at the same time...

I have the "Delete Guides" shortcut command set to "D" on my keyboard...takes a split sec to delete all of 'em when you're done

Dave R · 9 Jan 2012, 18:17

@d12dozr said:

@3ddetailer said:

...When I fillet a set of lines, a "tic" mark appears at the center of the chosen radius. I can erase each one, but it's time consuming. Is there a way of either hide them, or erase all at the same time...

I have the "Delete Guides" shortcut command set to "D" on my keyboard...takes a split sec to delete all of 'em when you're done

And if you don't want to set a keyboard shortcut, go to Edit>Delete Guides. I have a keyboard shortcut set, too and use it frequently.

TIG · 9 Jan 2012, 19:38

There are even specialist script-tools to erase cpoints, but not clines, and vice versa..
You can also hide [all] guide-geometry too using appropriate settings...
The reason the cpoint appears at the fillet-arc's center is that often you want a reference to it later on....

osage · 9 Jan 2012, 20:48

@unknownuser said:

I have the "Delete Guides" shortcut command set to "D" on my keyboard...takes a split sec to delete all of 'em when you're done

good grief. I guess I should spend more time exploring the default tools in Sketchup. Never saw that. AND setting up some shortcuts too.

Thanks a mill!

@unknownuser said:

There are even specialist script-tools to erase cpoints

Hmmmm, "cpoints". So that's what you call them huh. Cool. I searched for "tic" marks. Should have known they'd be called something related to Cartesian space ...or something to that effect. Ok, thanks for the info guys. I know all these solutions are probably in the thread, and I hate asking you to spend more of your time to explain something that you've already explained somewhere. So, I mucho appreciate it!

TIG · 9 Jan 2012, 20:52

In the 'early days' they were always called 'cpoints' and 'clines' [they still are in the API code!] but some Google genius a few versions ago decided to rename then 'guide-points' and 'guide-lines'... so watch for oldies/codies using the old names...

osage · 10 Jan 2012, 05:49

Ok, now I get it. And thanks for sharing your knowledge Tig.

fitZ

oh, btw, here's the reason I was looking for a solution. There were so many filets in this group all the cpoints were distracting. And this is only one of many sets of cables.

What's odd..is the cpoints disappear sometimes. Can't figure that one out either.
And btw, I would never done this had it not been for your filet tool, and the "Line into Tube" plugin. They work great together. Thanks again for the info. Every little bit helps.

ooops. I completely forgot. Your 2d text works sublime. The only thing I was wondering is editing a copy of a 2d text. They act like components. If I change one..it changes the original. Can you "make unique" them somehow? That would be phenomenal. Then I could drag a copy along an axis..and edit it. Sure would save a bunch of time. Anyway, thanks a million for this one too!!