[Plugin] Xref Manager

TIG · 10 Apr 2011, 11:18

Xrefs in SKPs are NOT like Xrefs in DWGs.
They are full inserted copies that simply know what the external SKP it came from is and if it's been updated suggested you reload it... Therefore adding SKPs into a SKP [Xref'd or not] will increase the file size.
It not possible to do it in the DWG manner where the Xref is a true 'eXternal-REFerence' and the host DWG is barely affected by having it inserted...

cobb89 · 10 Apr 2011, 11:21

@tig said:

Xrefs in SKPs are NOT like Xrefs in DWGs.
They are full inserted copies that simply know what the external SKP it came from is and if it's been updated suggested you reload it... Therefore adding SKPs into a SKP [Xref'd or not] will increase the file size.
It not possible to do it in the DWG manner where the Xref is a true 'eXternal-REFerence' and the host DWG is barely affected by having it inserted...

so...what's the best way to keep my model lighter, apart from working in groups and layers??

TIG · 10 Apr 2011, 11:55

Using Groups and Layers won't make your SKP any 'smaller' BUT they will help you model more fluidly and also allow you to 'switch things off' thereby making it easier to navigate around your model as the 'clutter' is reduced.
Using Components for repeated elements will reduce the SKP's file size, because once the definition is made each instance of it you place in the SKP adds a small amount to the SKP's size.
Adding large textures to materials or large Images will inevitably increase the SKP's size and slow down navigation.
Adding lots of polygons [edges with faces] will also inflate the SKP - Modeling a detailed tree with every twig and leaf will probably double the SKP's size in one step! Also never model parts you won't see [like the insides of objects] because they all add the the SKP's size AND need 'calculating' as you orbit etc...
Model with Fancy Edge Styles, Fog, Shadows and Textures etc all switched 'OFF' - then use suitable preset Scene tabs to flip between the different modes as needed - you only need all of the bells-and-whistles 'ON' on when you are done and rendering [or adjusting texture UV mapping etc].
Your SKP will be slowed to a crawl if you have lots of polygons casting shadows on each other and with textures 'on' etc - Sketchup has to work so much harder to decide how to display shadows etc...

Gaieus · 10 Apr 2011, 12:02

There are plugins however that can help you have your rather complex model more navigable. Have a look at Ghost Components for instance:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=21469

(Now the best would of course be if you could keep these components as ghosts all the time and they would still display their "real" complexity when making image or animation export or even for render engines...)

cobb89 · 10 Apr 2011, 12:10

isn't there a better way than ghost comp? because i'm working on a housing projects and it has lot of housing units. [varying from 16 to 20 storeys high]..the site is huge, and I want to work on the site model. I was going to the site model with the xrefs of each type of units [located as separate files for each of the towers.]. I can't seem to find a good way

Howard leslie · 26 Jan 2012, 10:59

TIG,
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed or mentioned this before with regard to your XRef plugin........
.........
If I update a model that has Xrefs linked to it (ie if one of the Xrefs has changed and the parent model asks if I want to update model), when I update the model, the scene always changes to the shaded with textures style.
Typically, I tend to use the flat (shaded) style on all my styles.
..........
Might be worth looking into next time you are working on Xref plugin.
(Brilliant plugin by the way)
...........
Regards
Howard L'

jrp_DK · 31 Jul 2012, 09:23

Super tool. I can use this for my large assembly drawings.
Would it be possible to have a toolbar too, that is more handy than to open the plugins folder.

It works fine in my SU pro 8, it just need the Win32ole.so in the SU plugin lib. I use it with Fredo6 Additional plugin folders.

Thanks'

TIG · 1 Aug 2012, 08:34

This tool is now very 'old in the tooth' and it needs a major revamp.
For example, lot of its 'ole work can now be done using built-in importers etc...
A toolbar and webdialog interfaces would also be on the agenda...
It is on the list of things to do BUT it's near the bottom of a long list !

davecoopstl · 1 Aug 2012, 13:48

TIG,

I agree with you. This tool would benifit from an update. We use it EVERY day, to assemble and manage large models. It's really useful for that purpose.

Any updates you make, when you actually have time to make them, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all your scripting work!
Dave.

Bob James · 1 Aug 2012, 16:28

I missed out on the original post for this plugin that describes what it does. Can you repost the description?

TIG · 1 Aug 2012, 21:34

My 'Xref Manager' allows you to link external SKPs [and DWG/DWG [at the moment for PC only]] into a 'master' SKP model.
Of course you can already do that but inserting 'component' SKPs, but there is no 'reminder'...
With the tool you can then automatically check if an external 'xref' file has be changed since it was last loaded in this Model and then choose to reload it.
The dialog list all such files... a new web-dialog would improve this a lot !
Currently [on PC only] you can also set an option to auto-check the xrefs' 'currency' as the master-SKP opens.
There are other tools to make a component into an 'xref', bind them in so they are no longer 'linked' externally, and so on...
It's somewhat like AutoCAD's Xref-tools... but unfortunately the inserted files are 'full' versions... not 'place-holders'- as this isn't supported in the SKP format...

It's long overdue an up date... "watch this space"... but don't wait up

Bob James · 2 Aug 2012, 06:26

This has great potential for the kind of work I do: A main standard set of components with added customer-peculiar components. It should be very useful to assure, for the next set of customer-peculiar components, that the standard set is up to date.
So...I'll be watching with interest

ravinhuxley · 7 Sept 2012, 05:53

I am having problems importing DWGs for xref purposes with TIGs XREF Manager. When I import the drawing, I get the error shown below. This happens on two machines, both running the same setup.

What is odd is the -++ at the end of the .dwg extension. Its almost if the script is adding additional characters to the file path.

Using Sketchup 8.0.15158
Windows 7 Home Premium
Importing 2004 DWG

Ruby console reports:
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method definition' for nil:NilClass> C:/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/XrefManager.rb:566:in add_dwg_attrib'
C:/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/XrefManager.rb:542:in add_dwg' C:/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/XrefManager.rb:566:in call'
C:/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/XrefManager.rb:566

Any suggestions?

TIG · 7 Sept 2012, 08:41

I've moved this recent post into the tool's main thread, where it belongs.
The final errors appear because the DWG isn't auto-loaded and so it has no definition to use when it tries to add 'xref' attributes to it.

The file-name/path getting '-++' added onto the end is clearly what's breaking it.
The tool uses +/- key presses to navigate the dialog [this will be avoided in a future version...]
The -++ pattern shows that you have 'chosen' options:
No to merge
Yes to orient
Yes to use origin [this is fixed 'on']

Because you obscured the earlier path it's unclear... does the path look right otherwise -e.g. does it have a drive letter like 'C:...' ?
Is suspect that something is happening with the 'key-stroke' mimicker... I find that I can break it so the drive letter is missed off ! Then it reports the file can't be found and the thing fails as the keys then write in the file-name panel incorrectly...

This tool needs a major overhaul - it's two versions [or more] behind...
I'll look at replacing parts of the code that need key-stroke mimicking [as an interim fix] and get back to you soonest...

TIG · 7 Sept 2012, 13:32

Here's v6.0 http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=46367#p46367
It's not the full update that is still in the very long pipe-line [web-dialogs etc], but it is issued to address reported problems with using PC DWG/DXF xrefs... AND now it allows these on MAC too...

Elibjr · 11 Sept 2012, 23:01

@tig said:

Here's v6.0 http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=46367#p46367
It's not the full update that is still in the very long pipe-line [web-dialogs etc], but it is issued to address reported problems with using PC DWG/DXF xrefs... AND now it allows these on MAC too...

Wow! Thank you TIG! You are awesome! I will try this later! Thanks !!!

EarthMover · 12 Sept 2012, 01:40

Thanks TIG! Not sure how I missed this. Really could've used this on my latest project. Can't wait for the revamp.

ravinhuxley · 3 Oct 2012, 20:50

TIG-

I neglected to come back and let you know that you are awesome. Thanks for the updated plugin!

Mohsin_Mazhar · 12 Dec 2012, 09:14

Can any one please tell me about how to install it in google sketchup 8 pro? I have copied the XrefManager.rb to my google sketchup plugin folder. But i am unable so see Xref tools while i open my plugin menu in Google Sketchup.

TIG · 12 Dec 2012, 10:15

@mohsin_mazhar said:

Can any one please tell me about how to install it in google sketchup 8 pro? I have copied the XrefManager.rb to my google sketchup plugin folder. But i am unable so see Xref tools while i open my plugin menu in Google Sketchup.
This tool is the simplest sort you will come across - a single .rb file that you place in the Plugins folder. There is no unzipping, extraction, subfolders of helper files, Libs, other files that you need [the one additional .so file for PC users was discontinued some years ago] etc. Once installed, after a restart of SketchUp, it should add a submenu to the Plugins menu, with sub-items relating to the tool; this is the only slightly complex matter, as some even simpler tools might add their item directly into the Plugins menu itself. Also it is not an Extension, so it doesn't need activating and it has not got a toolbar to activate either...

I assume you are not getting any error messages as SketchUp starts...

So, assuming that it appears to you that you have installed the .rb file in the Plugins folder and you are not seeing the menu items then I suspect you have not got your security permissions set properly...
Look at the Plugins folder in Windows Explorer - is there a link/button in one of the top-bars saying something like 'Compatibility Files...' - this is indicative of this. If you click on it you should find that the .rb file [and perhaps other things too] have been put into a 'Virtual Store' with a path that mimics the Sketchup..Plugins folder structure. This is 'Windows' protecting you from yourself, over zealously. SketchUp cannot auto-load files from this folder, although they can be seen in the main folder's list they are actually elsewhere !
Being an Admin is not sufficient to allow you to add files to 'program files' subfolders, without issues...
So to fix this... as an Admin, select the Plugins folder's icon and right-click context-menu > Properties > Security > Edit... Set the access-rights to that folder to 'FULL' [all ticked] for 'yourself' and then OK to save the changes...
From now on when you add a file to the Plugins folder, then that's where it goes...
So they should all work as expected...
You might wish to tidy up the 'Compatibility Files...' - either by deleting them after you reinstall things, or Edit/Cut+Paste back into the proper Plugins folder otherwise...

Incidentally you should set the permissions for the Components, Materials and Styles folder to FULL too as from time to time you will want to add files to those as well...

Please confirm if this was the issue and it's fixed: it might help others having similar problems...