[Plugin] Components manager plugin

inteloide · 6 Jan 2014, 11:55

Hello,

the plugin is made to update component without having to link (third button) each of them...so there is something strange.
If item is in orange, this means that he could not reach the file, and as you don't modify the component, the plugin didn't create a relative link. Therefore it lloks like the file is not reachable.
Could you send me the complete link (as show in bottom of the window, you can select it and copy it by right clicking on) and send me the real link (through windows explorer for example), to see what's going wrong.
The error may come from special characters...maybe.
Also, you can try to copy the link in bottom of the window to the windows explorer to see if the file is opening.
Thank you to make this trials !

JQL · 6 Jan 2014, 16:35

Hi inteloide,

Great plugin you have here. Fills a lot of my needs for xref and component management in models.

I get a script error after trying to open a complex model in SU 2013.

When I start SU2013 it autoloads a template file with 2 components one is there because of a plugin.

If I open a particular existing file, with lots of components (618 Groups; 537 Component Definitions; 2548 Component Instances) I get a blank list where only those 2 previous components from the template file remain.

If I refresh the list using the first button, I get no update, the two components are still there and I get the following error message:

However there are other files where this doesn't happen and the list becomes full immediatelly when I open them.

The main difference I can remember between both files is that in the one that gives me the error I've been managing files/components with XREF manager plugin, from TIG.

There is no info on Ruby console.

If this info is not enough and you need something more, just tell me that I'll try to get it.

Thanks and congratulations on your excellent work.

Best regards,

JQL

inteloide · 6 Jan 2014, 17:20

Hello, there is a problem with special characters. I tried it and it failed, so it's sure.
I will correct this and you will be able to try again to see it solve this issue.

JQL · 6 Jan 2014, 18:48

You're right!

I took out all "àáéíóúâãõç" characters from component and group names and it's now showing what seems to be the full list of components and groups from my probmodel.

It's really fast in doing that too, so this might also be an outliner replacer... and if it is... you've made me a very happy SU user!

inteloide · 6 Jan 2014, 19:39

There are errors when:
-component name include special characters
-file path include special characters

First one generate javascript issue => should be easy to repair
Second one involve issue in ruby coding : harder to solve... But I found a solution on this forum : I will try to correct using it.

inteloide · 6 Jan 2014, 21:33

Hello,

Just update the new version that solve special characters issue (thanks to a TIG script).
Other improvments :
Added: Number of instances are written in italic blue to make it different from definition name
Corrected : Bug when component or path have a special characters inside
Corrected : Move Win32API in BGSketchup folder not to interfer with other plugins
Corrected : Simplify reload definition script, avoid error when Group is selected
Corrected : add to_java function to format string to reach javascript standard

Please make trials in your models and tell me if it corrected issues you had.

I'm glad to see people happy of this function. May some of you push "Donate" button when it will be published, a little contribution to allow me buying a 3D printer (my dream).

Also, if some improvment are missing from your point of view, please tell me.

inteloide · 6 Jan 2014, 23:07

New version 1.6.0 :
Added : Window can be resize
Corrected : Avoid graphic issue when selecting different line in the list
Optimized : Simplify CSS file (removed un-used data)
Optimized : Buttons are now centered in window

JQL · 7 Jan 2014, 10:26

Excellent update, I'm going to test it and I'll try to say something later!

inteloide · 7 Jan 2014, 11:21

@jql said:

Excellent update, I'm going to test it and I'll try to say something later!

Some bugs actually... Selected lines are not highlighted. Color bug in list. List size error when uploading the list.
I will correct this tonight.
I will add a function to manage levels of components in file name ex:"toto ind 2.skp", to upload only last level.

JQL · 7 Jan 2014, 11:56

That level management is a very good idea for nested xrefs...

inteloide · 7 Jan 2014, 23:13

@jql said:

That level management is a very good idea for nested xrefs...

Yes ! It would be very useful for me !!
I already code the script to check if other files exist in a path with different level. (You will see, in version 1.7.0 in "options", that options are implemented but not active)

So the idea will be, when updating a component definition from a file, to check if other file exist with the same "base" but with different level. Ex :
"c:\toto\drawing.skp"
"c:\toto\drawing ind2.skp"
"c:\toto\drawing ind3.skp"

Then the plugins will update only the highest level : "c:\toto\drawing ind3.skp"
Therfore, you will be able to keep history of your component by saving it in a different level each time you modify it !

Of course the level idenitificator (" ind" here) will be changeable in options).
Also, this options can be activable or not in options too.

Just pending for me to implement the script at correct places and that's it !
I hope to complete this by Thursday (yes, tomorrow start the sales in France...and my TV is broken down...sniff )
So version 1.8.0 will have this useful function ! Just wait a bit...

New version update (1.7.0) , with following changes :
Added : New red color to distinguish file newer than definition with file older than definition
Added : New option to choose if the brightest red color means file newer or older than definition
Added : Add refresh time in window bottom when updating the list
Corrected : Number of component instances in a branch was wrong
Corrected : Restore highlightning of selected item (come back to previous script...)
Corrected : Number of instance in same style that item to avoid double item selection error
Corrected : Avoid to have unlinked components text in the same color than previous list item (CSS)
Corrected : Options were still saved in model (even if not used)

JQL · 7 Jan 2014, 23:30

Oh I see now! What you mean by levels is revisions.

So if you save a lot of revisions or versions of the same component the latest version will be the one the plugin finds to reload. Though that is not what I thought it is, it is useful indeed!

Best regards,

JQL

greatoe · 8 Jan 2014, 02:36

does this script work on mac version? thx

inteloide · 8 Jan 2014, 07:01

@greatoe said:

does this script work on mac version? thx

Hello Greatoe,
not sure it work on Mac, as I don't have one, as system is different...Maybe the best is to try and tell me if it's works...
I will try later to understand how Mac file system works and update, if required.

JQL, what yours thoughts were exactly ? Maybe I can implement !

JQL · 8 Jan 2014, 10:01

I thought you where refering to nesting levels inside Xrefed components.

Just to clarify, even if I'm sure you're familiar with the concept of Xref there might be someone else not familiar with it. A Xref is a .skp file that has been referenced as a component inside a model (TIG is also able to reference .dwg files with his Xref Manager plugin but that's not the scope of your plugin).

So imagine a model of an house that has 2 floors:

The house might be a component that you can "save as" to a file, Xrefing it.
But inside the house there might be many other components like the 2 floors, kitchen, bathrooms, closets, etc...
All of those components might be Xrefed too so you get a lot of Xrefs with other xrefs inside. This can be called nested Xrefs
With your plugin it's very easy to "reload" or "save as" multiple components at the same time;
It's also easy to choose specific components to "reload" or "save as" and it tells wich ones need to be updated, wich is excellent;
What I thought you were talking about was the ability to auto update only the components that were more deeply nested inside other components that needed an update, without having to update all components above.

Example:

Inside house component there's 1st floor component;
Inside 1st floor there's the kitchen component;
Inside kitchen there's a counter with a sink component;
All of this components are xrefed;
You changed the sink component in the file and all of this nested Xrefs are outdated;
If your plugin would be able to automatically detect that the sink component was the only component interfering with this "outdate" status, and would be able to update all only by reloading the sink component, this would be a wonderful time saver.

That was what I was thinking of, but it might be a bit complex.

Best regards and thanks again,

JQL

inteloide · 8 Jan 2014, 14:47

Hello,

Thank you for explainations. (I'm not familiar with Xrefs)

Change wouldn't be so long, actually the plugins always upload file, even if the definition is update to date, so just by check before that file date = definition date, then issue is solved.

Also, I was thinking that plugin is also purging all definitions each time it upload a definition : this cost a lot of time too. I will also change this to purge only and updating end.

Also I will add these options :

Avoid the window to open each time you open Sketchup (in case you don't want to use it)
Add toolbar to quickly open/hide window
To avoid list updating when model is openned, in order the model to load faster (in case of big file), may be just refresh component names, but not check files dates.

I'll try to implement this for version 1.8.0

Planned updates for version 2.0.0 (you can let me know you wishes) :

Options in Html form (for better look)
Add a model/component history text input, to allow writing your model improvments and components improvments.

The idea would be to have an host window which can accept different sub-windows from different plugins. Each plugin could be loaded separately but when you have installed the host window (host plugin), every other plugins (made by me, of course) will fit in the same window (you would be able to change from one to the other by clicking an icon). Then it keep clear your workspace !
So additionnal function like "model/component history" still stay in the same window.
Good idea, no ?

inteloide · 8 Jan 2014, 23:14

Hello,

new TV bought ! ;o)

Just update version 1.8.0, with following improvments :
Added : Revision level management option added !
Added : Option to start or not automatically the manager (default=no)
Added : Option to refresh or not the list when start automatically the manager (default=yes)
Optimized : The return of the update progress in Sketchup state bar !
Optimized : In all definitions reload, component definition are reloaded, from file, only if different from model definition.
Optimized : Simplify refreshing date display script

greatoe · 9 Jan 2014, 00:15

@inteloide said:

@greatoe said:

does this script work on mac version? thx

Hello Greatoe,
not sure it work on Mac, as I don't have one, as system is different...Maybe the best is to try and tell me if it's works...
I will try later to understand how Mac file system works and update, if required.

JQL, what yours thoughts were exactly ? Maybe I can implement !

Hi inteloide,

No the script does not work on a Mac.

After install, as an extension or unzip, no error message, but also no menu.

Then after a restart of Sketchup, the following error window shows.

JQL · 9 Jan 2014, 00:27

@inteloide said:

Change wouldn't be so long, actually the plugins always upload file, even if the definition is update to date, so just by check before that file date = definition date, then issue is solved.

I don't really understand what you mean by this...

Also, when you refer to upload you mean saving to file (on sketchup it's called "save as" on the context menu) or getting the definition updated from file into model (wich is called "reload" in component context menu).

In the previous context "upload" looks like "save as" but in this next context "upload" seems to be "reload".

@inteloide said:

Also, I was thinking that plugin is also purging all definitions each time it upload a definition : this cost a lot of time too. I will also change this to purge only and updating end.

@inteloide said:

Add a model/component history text input, to allow writing your model improvments and components improvments.

If it is very simple to add those notes and simple to read them, it could be useful.

@inteloide said:

The idea would be to have an host window which can accept different sub-windows from different plugins. Each plugin could be loaded separately but when you have installed the host window (host plugin), every other plugins (made by me, of course) will fit in the same window (you would be able to change from one to the other by clicking an icon). Then it keep clear your workspace !
So additionnal function like "model/component history" still stay in the same window.
Good idea, no ?

Yes it's a good idea if all plugins share related objectives, otherwise, it might be confusing to have a window that has two completely different uses. It's not very Sketchup like.

@inteloide said:

Just update version 1.8.0, with following improvments :
Added : Revision level management option added !
Added : Option to start or not automatically the manager (default=no)
Added : Option to refresh or not the list when start automatically the manager (default=yes)
Optimized : The return of the update progress in Sketchup state bar !
Optimized : In all definitions reload, component definition are reloaded, from file, only if different from model definition.
Optimized : Simplify refreshing date display script

I'll try to implement this for version 1.8.0

Seems to be a nice update... Thanks!

JQL

JQL · 9 Jan 2014, 11:09

I have some little feature requests for you to consider:

1 - Would it be possible to find a component in the list by clicking it in the model? Just like outliner...
2 - Would it be possible to change component's names directly on the list?
3 - Would it be hard to double click or click an icon on the list and the file/component that is selected would open in a new Sketchup session for editing and then reload when saved, like editing a texture in external image editor? (there's a plugin that does this already but breaks file path association. It's called Component Edit Window.)
4 - Would it be possible to creat filters on the list that would only show updated components or outdated or components that were associated with a file or whatever other options you have. Tick on a box and you only see green icons, tick other box and you only see blue, click on both and you see both icons on the list.

I hope you find this interesting, thanks and best regards,

JQL