[Plugin] SketchUcation Tools 2.6

[TIG]

As Box says...

Running SketchUp v2014 MR0 by double-clicking on a SKP that is not on the same drive as the SketchUp installation has a bug.
It fails to load the Ruby libraries into the $: aka $LOAD_PATH...
Therefore any tool that uses any of the new methods provided by v2014 will fail when it tries to load them as the folder is not found.
SketchUcation v2.6.0 uses open-uri with v2014 to make much faster downloads and installation of RBZs etc...
This is is not a SketchUcation issue - it will occur with any Plugins using the new methods.
The fault is known to Trimble and we are assured that a fix will be included in MR1...

Meanwhile don't try to start SketchUp that way.
Instead, start it from the shortcut to the SketchUp.exe, then open the SKP via SketchUp.

There is a temporary file to try to fix it - by Dan Rathbun - goes in the Tools folder and resets $:.
I've found it messes up if SketchUp itself is not installed on the system drive [ ], otherwise it resets the S: Ruby Lib paths correctly...

[kupono]

Thanks Box and Tig

[TIG]

This file is a temporary fix http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=519331#p519331

[Jim]

Getting this in the Ruby console with 2.6.0:

(eval);1; warning; already initialized constant SCF;;RESTART
(eval);1; warning; previous definition of RESTART was here

[TIG]

@jim said:

Getting this in the Ruby console with 2.6.0:

(eval);1; warning; already initialized constant SCF;;RESTART
> (eval);1; warning; previous definition of RESTART was here

All of the time ?
Or just after the initial update of the Plugin ?
I don't see it at all either way ??

This Warning is just about a Constant [RESTART] already existing that is being overwritten.
It's not a load Error per se

I see the reason, the .strings file defines RESTART twice !

I'll fix it...

[tommy.jhd]

Hello,
Since 2.6 I've noticed a slow down on Sketchup actions involving the plugin - opening/closing SU, making a modification in SUT2.6 and so on. Nothing shows up on the ruby console - but everything runs smoothly with SUT2.6 disabled.

I keep plugins on dropbox (including SUT2.6) and access them using TIG's !loader.rb on 2 PCs using 8free and one with 2013pro.

Slightly separately - I seem to remember being able to control plugin/extension loading in SUT locally (by the registry perhaps?) - but now disabling a plugin/extension does so by appending ! and so disabling the file system wide.

Is the renaming of ruby files the future for SUtools? If so, I'll modify my use of it to compensate.

Thanks

[TIG]

Please update your User Profile so we know your OS and SUp version - are you still on v8 ?

Because v2.6.0 uses new Ruby methods to speed up downloads and decrease AutoInstall speeds by up to 400% there is a slight parallel 'downside' when opening/closing some of the dialogs used by the toolset, which now ping tiny amounts of related data back to the server [used in various analytics - like the new MySetup > Bundles feature]. With v2014 it's all done pretty instantaneously, but earlier SUp versions don't have the new methods which Ruby2 offers with v2014, so their alternative more cludgey methods may run noticeably slower [especially if you have a slow Internet connection], however it should still be barely perceptible... how long are you talking here...

If you disabled a plugin in a 'shared' Plugins folder, then it is disabled for all SketchUps using that Plugins folder.
If you disable a plugin in a local [default] Plugins folder, then it is disabled for that one SketchUp.
It has always been like that.

Using SketchUcation PluginsManager Sets exported/imported on all of your computers you should be able to quickly reSet your Plugins to suit specific work-tasks...

Because v2014 PC now AutoInstalls / loads your plugins using your User default Plugins folder [like MACs have done for several versions before] it means that several users on the same computer can have different sets of plugins loading when their SketchUp starts...

[tommy.jhd]

I am as my user profile says 8free at home and mobile (but 2013 at work)

The additional time is pretty hefty - Is there a way to check individual load times like libfredo tools? Or record what the active tool or process is?

I started to check between load times with and without SU2.6 but with SU2.6 loaded SU hangs at start, while orbiting, and changing tools. I'd lean towards a description of unworkable (sorry)

My mistake on the plugin disabling. Could've sworn I tested local loading, as I remember being impressed and thinking how useful that was. I don't tend to dream about plugin management, but its possible.

I think I'm used to waiting for downloads and installs. I wouldn't notice faster speeds as I'm usually doing something else in the mean time. Perhaps enough users are of the same mindset that a return to slower Ruby is possible? (my 2pence)

How long are you intending to support 8 and 2013 though?

Bear in mind I'm only whinging because 2.5.1 suited my cross-platform/multi-version/dropbox-plugin-folder setup perfectly. Must get round to upgrading to premium so I can whinge with a bit more weight, and a lot more abandon.

Thanks for responding - happy to help if I can.

[Rich O Brien]

Upgrading to Premium offers no extra weight to complaints.

The tool is free and all members avail of the same whinging rights.

[TIG]

But v2.6.0 should never affect other tools like zooming/tool-change
Do you try to do other things as it's downloading then installing ?
If so why ??
The most you should notice with it in v8 is a brief thinking time [ << 1sec] as SketchUp starts up and then the PluginStore dialog first opens or is closed.

The download should be noticeably faster that before - typically 400%...

A few Plugins are quite hefty and take a while to download - but they should still arrive faster than with the earlier versions of the PluginStore...

You need at least v8M2 to use the PluginStore, currently v2014 does offer some improved download speed, but the changes were also mimicked in v8/v2013 albeit a little slower - but they should still outperform v2.5

Do you have other plugins loading that might add observers which are messing with things in v8 - like some proto-BIM tools ? But lead you to consider v2.6.0 the instigator of the issue ?

[tommy.jhd]

@Rich - I meant subjective weight and subjective abandon. Whinge was the wrong word too. Sorry about that. English is my first language.

@TIG - I haven't been downloading - only disabling/enabling. Sketchup 8M2free and 2013pro both hang during use with SkTools loaded - and do not hang at all with it unloaded. (preferences/extensions/tickbox off)
All plugins are loaded from Plugin store, only other plugin is as below

require 'sketchup.rb'
path = "C:/Users/___________"
$LOAD_PATH << path; $LOAD_PATH.uniq!
if File.exist?(path)
Dir.entries(path).each{|file|
ext=File.extname(file).downcase
next unless ext==".rb" || ext==".rbs"
Sketchup.load(File.join(path, file))
}

My connection is fast - 6mb/2mb home/office.
????
Thanks

[Rich O Brien]

Hi Tommy,

No offense caused.

I think part of your speed issue is because SUTools is in Dropbox.

If you move it out does the speed change?

[TIG]

There is also a brief 'thinking time' in open/close with SCF Managers, but it should not be so significant.

The disabling/enabling by adding/removing the final ! will obviously take somewhat longer over a complicated networked path like Dropbox folder...
BUT again I find it relatively fast and of little import

[tommy.jhd]

Ok - after a couple of tests the short answer is SUTools (probably with some as yet unknown issue) causes SU8M2 to hang (for about a minute) on start up, on closing plugin store dialog, plugin manager dialog, extension manager dialog and plugin uninstaller.

SUTools is the only plugin installed (and it's in the standard folder) I reset my registry, cleared my cache in IE and Chrome and I have full permissions.

Before this. I put SUTools in the standard plugin folder and my alternate folder on my desktop. The same hanging occurred as above but additional hangs occurred in dialogs when I selected my alternate folder. At this stage I had only reset my registry.

Before resetting my registry the same hanging occurred, but I had the following error message when alternate folder was selected in plugin manager
Error: #<Exception: Invalid Dialog>
(eval):1461:in close' (eval):1461:in new'
(eval):1463:in call' (eval):1463 when alternate folder was selected in extension manager. Error: #<Exception: Invalid Dialog> (eval):2235:in close'
(eval):2235:in new' (eval):1463:in call'
(eval):1463

Probably just a registry clash for those, but thought it might shed some light. If I disable SUTools as an extension in SU preferences - SU works smoothly in all situations listed above.

Sorry for the info dump - hope something in there is useful to you.
Suggestions welcome!

[TIG]

I'll send you a PM with some suggestions that might help.
But you should not get issues of such long time delays - they should be but momentary...

[kaas]

While performing a heavy backup task that uses almost all of my internet connection I noticed very long (20 to 30 seconds) startup times for Sketchup.
Sketchup's native interface almost instantly appears, some empty spaces on the toolbars are there (location of several plugins), Windows 7 busy-circle appears and after 20 to 30 seconds everything is normal again and I can start using Sketchup.
Normally I have the same behavior but it's just a few seconds like that.

I emptied SU's plugins folder - SU opens instantly
Only installed SkecthucationTools.rbz - still have v2.5.1 rbz on my drive - SU opens instantly
Updated Sketchucation tools to v2.6 - 20 to 30 second delay is there.

So my guess is: v2.6 tries to connect to internet at startup of Sketchup and that's interfering with the startup of the rest of the plugins. If that is the case, could that be avoided somehow?

edit: same delay occurs after installing a plugin from the SketchUcation Plugin Store and closing the Plugin Store window. Backup is finally finished now...speed back to normal with only short delay.

[Bob James]

SketchUcation Plugin Store V2.6.0
When I try an autoinstall, when the AutoInstall: Choose Folder dialog comes up and I select a folder nothing happens. The AutoInstall: Choose Folder dialog stays there after I click on the folder????

What happened to V2.5.2?

[TIG]

@bob james said:

SketchUcation Plugin Store V2.6.0
When I try an autoinstall, when the AutoInstall: Choose Folder dialog comes up and I select a folder nothing happens. The AutoInstall: Choose Folder dialog stays there after I click on the folder????
What happened to V2.5.2?

This is odd.
Can you try it with the Ruby Console open and post any error messages.
You highlight the desired folder and press the 'Select' button at the bottom of the dialog... then what happens ?
Is there anything unusual about the chosen folder ?
What does it do if you choose the main [default=first] Plugins folder ??

[Bob James]

@tig said:

Can you try it with the Ruby Console open and post any error messages.

Nothing in Console

@tig said:

You highlight the desired folder and press the 'Select' button at the bottom of the dialog... then what happens ?

What "Select" button?

@tig said:

Is there anything unusual about the chosen folder ?

Nothing new

@tig said:

What does it do if you choose the main [default=first] Plugins folder ??

Nothing happens

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![No "Select" button](/uploads/imported_attachments/s7ry_auto.PNG "No "Select" button")

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[Bob James]

@bob james said:

What happened to V2.5.2?

I meant 2.6.2