Image Trimmer Plugin issue

maxhouserocks

"there were no shapes that could form faces"

the plugin runs, does its work, but in the end gives this message
"there were no shapes that could form faces"

and an empty component is created.

could someone please let me know what i can do.
is the trans png the prob?

thanks,
bob

TIG

@Bob
It's almost certain that your PNG is not set up properly.
ImageTrimmer needs the PNG image to contain 2 types of pixel - transparent and opaque.
If you have some semi-transparent pixels they are still seen as being transparent !

So use something like Gimp to edit the PNG...

Flatten it, so that then no pixels are transparent at all.
Now add an Alpha channel [transparency].
Now use the magic-wand to select the colored pixels [probably == 'white'] which you want to be transparent.
Check that the pixels that you'd expect to be 'transparent' are selected properly.
[If needed you can select another 'colored' area - e.g. == 'off-white']
Then Delete them.
Save the PNG with the changes.
Reimport the corrected Image and try ImageTrimmer gain...

Alternatively, attach the problem PNG and I'll fix it... BUT it's best if you understand how to sort our your own mess........

Dprince

i keep getting this error with immage trimmer https://www.screencast.com/t/hePdoETQ

TIG

@dprince said:

i keep getting this error with immage trimmer https://www.screencast.com/t/hePdoETQ
Please read the post, just before yours: https://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=646097#p646097
I suspect that your PNG's transparency is not set up correctly...

Dprince

I got the same error message after doing what you suggested

Dave R

Share the image so we can help you out.

Dprince

Thanks. here's the image

TIG

First off, do yourself a favor and crop the PNG to remove all of the unwanted 'white' surrounds.
Otherwise the processing time extends unnecessarily.

Next flatten the PNG and reset an Alpha layer.
Now pick all of the unwanted white parts around the edges, and delete them...

Import the PNG Image.
Run ImageTrimmer...

Near the end, when you are prompted, do NOT choose to 'smooth' the cut-out image's outline - something about this particular shape causes its faces to fail - without any obvious errors...
If this happens unexpectedly, you can just hit Undo, and the un-smoothed cut-out is reverted and kept anyway...

But now by skipping the 'smooth' step you will get a trimmed image...

Dave R

Interesting.

Thank you.

Dprince

im not sure how to do that

TIG

@dprince said:

im not sure how to do that
Do what ?
Your overly cryptic comment is not helpful !
If you mean the skipping the 'smoothing' step, just cancel it or do it and immediately Undo it to get the unsmoothed form back.

If you mean adjusting the PNG file...
You need an image-editing tool, like Gimp or Photoshop.
Open the PNG usig that editor.
Auto-Crop the image to remove all of the unwanted 'white' surrounds.
Otherwise the processing time extends unnecessarily as that'll be ignored eventually but still needs analyzing..
Next flatten the PNG to remove all transparent pixels.
Next add an Alpha Layer [for the transparent parts].
Pick all of the unwanted white parts around the edges [using the magic-wand], and delete them...
You should now see through the parts that will be removed by ImageTrimmer.

Import the PNG Image into SketchUp.
Run ImageTrimmer...
The 'background' parts are removed, and the face is 'cut-out'...
Follow the tip about skipping/undoing the final 'smoothing' step - because with some images it can fail [inexplicably] and can delete the whole face....

Dprince

is it possible for me to send you the image and you do it for me. I did what you mention and im still getting the same issue.

TIG

At which step does it fail ?

Dprince

After I flatten the image.

TIG

What do you mean by 'flatten' ?

The 'smooth' step I referred to is actually called 'simplify' in the closing dialog [it attempts to 'smooth' the outline], and it is optional - so just cancel it...
Because of something unfathomable in your image the 'simplifying' fails, so do not do it...
I'll try and see if I can get to the bottom of this issue, but as I'm not getting any error messages of use, then I have a lot to get through...

TIG

I think I've found the cause for the 'simplify' failure.
It's how the newer version of SketchUp handles exploded entities !
I can fix that...
I'll publish an update in the ImageTrimmer main thread asap.

But it might not fix your issue, because your Gimp-processed PNG might not be correct...
Can you attach a PNG that you think you've fixed a that we can check it...
The 'Flatten' issue might be relevant then ??

TIG

Here's the fixed version which addresses the 'Simplify' step issue: https://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=SKMtools

Is the 'Flatten' issue still relevant ?
If so attach your adjusted PNG...

Dprince

The new version worked. THANKS!!

TIG

Hooray !

maxhouserocks

TIG, Thank you so much for your detailed response and the updated script.
I was also able to get it to work by NOT doing the smoothing option. I used "Simplify Selected Curves" in "Edge Tools2" to smooth the alpha selection once converted to lines. Worked great!
I will try the new updated one shortly also. It is an AMAZING time saver for us creating products from images for retail store stocking.

I hope people thank you enough on a daily basis, because there are a handful of you guys that really make sketchup an amazingly powerful tool when applying the scripts you create. I try to avoid tedious, repetitive tasks as much as possible and usually, someone like your self has run into the same problem and solved it. A mighty "Huzzah" to you sir!

Thanks again for the help,
Bob