Math or Paste in the VCB

SchreiberBike · 20 Nov 2007, 14:57

I often have to do either a little math or a lot of math to come up with the value that I need to put into the VCB. It would be really nice if I could put some simple math in the VCB.

For example, I was modeling something with PVC pipe. I found that the OD was 6.625 inches and I need to put in a radius. If I could put "6.625/2" in the VCB, that would be easier than calculating it and then typing it in.

Another approach would be to come up with the radius of 3.3125 in another program, then paste that into the VCB. It would seem like a numeric value from the clipboard would be equivalent to a keyboard entry.

Gaieus · 20 Nov 2007, 15:04

It does actually work in SU. I am in metric though so cannot really give exact advice how to do this input but if I type 100%2 into the VCB while drawing a circle for instance, it will draw it to me with an 50 cm radius.

SchreiberBike · 20 Nov 2007, 20:21

Ok, I've just been drawing a bunch of lines and circles and here's what I get.

2/2 = 1
3/2 = 1.5
2/3 = .66666

2.2/2.2 = 2.2
1.5/2 = 1.5
1.52 = 1.5
22 = invalid length
1 1/2/2 = invalid
1 1/2 /2 = invalid
1 1/2 / 2 = invalid
2+2 = invalid
5-2 = invalid

It seems like SU can read an entry as a fraction so long as the numbers do not involve any decimal points. But it can't do any addition, subtraction or multiplication or any division except where it reads the division as a fraction. It's response is a little confusing because where there is a decimal before the operator, it just returns the decimal amount, but if there is an operator other than the "/" without a decimal, it returns "invalid length"

As a wish list item, it would be nice if it could do some other kinds of math.

boofredlay · 20 Nov 2007, 20:23

And I tried with 2'/2 and it does not work either.
This would be a nice update feature if they can work it out.

SchreiberBike · 20 Nov 2007, 20:25

@gaieus said:

. . . if I type 100%2 into the VCB . . .

Gaieus, is the "%" instead of a "/" one of those differences between Euro and N. American standards like using periods instead of commas between each three digits of a large number.

A new one for me.

Gaieus · 20 Nov 2007, 22:25

@schreiberbike said:

@gaieus said:

. . . if I type 100%2 into the VCB . . .

Gaieus, is the "%" instead of a "/" one of those differences between Euro and N. American standards like using periods instead of commas between each three digits of a large number.

A new one for me.

No, sorry, that wasa a mistype. / was tro be meant...
Most probably my keyboard is too dirty.

boofredlay · 20 Nov 2007, 22:42

@gaieus said:

No, sorry, that wasa a mistype. / was tro be meant...
Most probably my keyboard is too dirty.

Ewwww. I don't even want to know.

glenn · 22 Nov 2007, 04:19

I agree math functions in the vcb would be great. Another design program I use has it, comes in real handy.
Glenn

watkins · 22 Nov 2007, 14:13

Dear All,

As a stop-gap, you might try using calc.rb which you will find at:

http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/em_sections.html

and filed under File-Converters-Misc. When you select it from the Plugins drop down menu it brings up a simple but perfectly adequate calculator, allowing you to work within Sketchup.

Kind regards,
Bob

brad · 26 Nov 2007, 21:22

Another stop gap measure would be to bring up or keep open the Ruby Console and type mathematical formulas in there. I do it all the time.

Hope that helps.

Brad
SketchUp QA

SchreiberBike · 26 Nov 2007, 22:24

Is there any trick which allows for pasting into the VCB?

Marty · 16 Jan 2009, 20:13

I would like to add my vote for equations in the VCB. This would be particularly helpful when scaling. Concerning the Ruby advice, when I tried it, division rounded to a whole number. Is this being controlled by the precision?

plot-paris · 20 Jan 2009, 15:28

+1

that would be a fantastic feature!