[Plugin] Xref Manager

TIG

TIG,

This script is amazing. We're using it to model a huge site, with lots and lots of buildings, and it's working beautifully. The ability to know what has and has not been updated, and update the modified 'xrefs' is invaluable.

But, we've encountered one major 'design' flaw with the script. We have almost 30 xrefs loaded in the model, and the Xref Manager dialog box does NOT fit on the screen any more, so there's no way to click the "OK" button. And there doesn't seem to be a way to adjust the size or orientation of the dialog box!

Is there a way that the size of the dialog box can be flexible or adjustable or, at the very least, include a scroll bar! We really need to be able to see the entire list of xrefs, and scroll down to click the "OK" button.

Hope you can help.
Thanks for all your hard scripting work!
Dave Coop.

XrefManager hasn't been updated for many 'years' ! Unfortunately when it was written the only dialogs available were very limited with no ability to move/resize, add scroll-bars, tick-boxes etc - so this problem with extra long lists was known - the current [old] fix is [was] to split you site into two [or perhaps more] sub-site models and then xref those into a single master-site; then the individual 'plot' model file xref goes into the appropriate smaller sub-site model; then you'll get manageable lists - but you do need to remember to update the sub-plot model xrefs and then update the master-model xrefs...

The good news is that more recent versions of the API let you use 'web-dialogs' which are much more flexible and allow longer lists, tick-boxes, scroll-bars etc etc

The bad news is I haven't any time to update it [yet]

Look out over the coming 'months' rather than 'years' !!!

davecoopstl

TIG,

Thanks for the info. We pretty much figured out the sub-xrefing system. It kind of stinks, because you are constantly checking to make sure the xrefs inside of xrefs are updated, but it does work.

Meanwhile, we can NOT wait until you have time to update the script! It sounds like you know exactly how to fix the dialog box, but just need time to do it. Hopefully you'll have time to get to it in the not-so-distant future.

Again, thanks for all the great work. We'll keep an eye out for an update to this amazing script.
Thanks!
Dave Coop.

halroach

This is a great plugin!
I had a bit trouble navigating through the forum until I noticed that the latest version was 5.1 and not 5...

I recommend merging the two threads
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=7329
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=7289

stefx

TIG,
I downloaded the file.
When i tried to import any dwg i got this note:

"This requires 'win32ole.so' to be in the Plugin folder!
Exiting... "

Any tips?

Stef.

TIG

Unzip this in your Plugins folder...win32ole.zip

stefx

fast answer.
good answer.
useful answer.

thank you very much TIG.

stef.

marvins_dad

I was looking to try this out to combine 3 large files.

but...
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=7330

Seems that the Tutorial has vaporized.

Any ideas if there are any other locations that can give me an idea how to get around with this ruby?

Thanks

TIG

XrefManagerHelpNotes.pdf

marvins_dad

Thanks!

pulsezip

Does this plugin work for sketchup 7 or 7.1 ?

TIG

I should work for v7/7.1/8 BUT it really does need a major overhaul... BUT there's a loooong list

prospero spring

Hi TIG,
I just upgraded my SketchUp to V8 Pro but the V5.1 is not working anymore. I can get an advice to fix it?
Thanks,

TIG

@prospero spring said:

Hi TIG,
I just upgraded my SketchUp to V8 Pro but the V5.1 is not working anymore. I can get an advice to fix it?
Thanks,

Please try running it with the Ruby Console open and post any error messages...

prospero spring

Hi TIG,
This was how the errors showed up when the loading of Xref Manager V5.1 was failed.
"can't convert nil into StringError Loading File XrefManager.rb"
Thanks for helps.
PS

TIG

@prospero spring said:

Hi TIG,
This was how the errors showed up when the loading of Xref Manager V5.1 was failed.
"can't convert nil into StringError Loading File XrefManager.rb"
Thanks for helps.
PS

Sorry but I need the whole error message as it will have a line number in it...

prospero spring

Hi TIG,
The following is the whole error message:
"Error Loading File pushpull_tool.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File push_pull_vector.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File push_pull_z.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File quick_selection.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File script_loader.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File selection.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File thicklines.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File utilities.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File weld.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File XrefManager.rb[/color]
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File ZLoader__FredoScale.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File ZLoader__OnSurface.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File dynamiccomponents.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File langhandler.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File make_pano_pm.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File sandboxtools.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File SolarNorth.rb
can't convert nil into StringError Loading File webtextures.rb
can't convert nil into String"

I couldn't make the Ruby Console open before the error message showed up. If this is not what you were looking for, please guide me to get there.
Many thanks,
PS

TIG

So it's not an XrefManager.rb problem directly, as it is a general '...nil into String Error...' occurring on many other scripts loading too.

I suspect that perhaps you are missing some files - e.g. sketchup.rb or perhaps langhandler.rb in the ../Tools/ folder [these should NOT be in ../Plugins/].

How did you 'transfer' scripts etc between the SUp versions?

Does this only occur on new SKPs opening?

Does your file_name or file_path contain unicode characters [e.g. accents] that might trip up Ruby [teh version did change with SUp v8, but unicode support in its File.exist?() etc is still rubbish]...

rv1974

My humble wish list:
1.'Make into xref' would automatically create skp file in the same directory with original component's
name.
2. In-place xref editing (with saving to external file in ACAD-like manner)
3. Floating pallet.
4. Those annoying 'exiting...' messages.. Why do the kick user out of script?

cobb89

will using xrefs for my model actually make it lighter...for example if I have

a 14 MB model

a 12 mb model of a building block

If I copy paste the latter one in 14 mb one..the filesize may become...26MB
will using an xref of the 12 mb one into 14 mb make the file size 18 mb or so??

TIG

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...