[Plugin] Xref Manager

TIG · 1 Aug 2012, 21:34

My 'Xref Manager' allows you to link external SKPs [and DWG/DWG [at the moment for PC only]] into a 'master' SKP model.
Of course you can already do that but inserting 'component' SKPs, but there is no 'reminder'...
With the tool you can then automatically check if an external 'xref' file has be changed since it was last loaded in this Model and then choose to reload it.
The dialog list all such files... a new web-dialog would improve this a lot !
Currently [on PC only] you can also set an option to auto-check the xrefs' 'currency' as the master-SKP opens.
There are other tools to make a component into an 'xref', bind them in so they are no longer 'linked' externally, and so on...
It's somewhat like AutoCAD's Xref-tools... but unfortunately the inserted files are 'full' versions... not 'place-holders'- as this isn't supported in the SKP format...

It's long overdue an up date... "watch this space"... but don't wait up

Bob James · 2 Aug 2012, 06:26

This has great potential for the kind of work I do: A main standard set of components with added customer-peculiar components. It should be very useful to assure, for the next set of customer-peculiar components, that the standard set is up to date.
So...I'll be watching with interest

ravinhuxley · 7 Sept 2012, 05:53

I am having problems importing DWGs for xref purposes with TIGs XREF Manager. When I import the drawing, I get the error shown below. This happens on two machines, both running the same setup.

What is odd is the -++ at the end of the .dwg extension. Its almost if the script is adding additional characters to the file path.

Using Sketchup 8.0.15158
Windows 7 Home Premium
Importing 2004 DWG

Ruby console reports:
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method definition' for nil:NilClass> C:/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/XrefManager.rb:566:in add_dwg_attrib'
C:/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/XrefManager.rb:542:in add_dwg' C:/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/XrefManager.rb:566:in call'
C:/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/XrefManager.rb:566

Any suggestions?

TIG · 7 Sept 2012, 08:41

I've moved this recent post into the tool's main thread, where it belongs.
The final errors appear because the DWG isn't auto-loaded and so it has no definition to use when it tries to add 'xref' attributes to it.

The file-name/path getting '-++' added onto the end is clearly what's breaking it.
The tool uses +/- key presses to navigate the dialog [this will be avoided in a future version...]
The -++ pattern shows that you have 'chosen' options:
No to merge
Yes to orient
Yes to use origin [this is fixed 'on']

Because you obscured the earlier path it's unclear... does the path look right otherwise -e.g. does it have a drive letter like 'C:...' ?
Is suspect that something is happening with the 'key-stroke' mimicker... I find that I can break it so the drive letter is missed off ! Then it reports the file can't be found and the thing fails as the keys then write in the file-name panel incorrectly...

This tool needs a major overhaul - it's two versions [or more] behind...
I'll look at replacing parts of the code that need key-stroke mimicking [as an interim fix] and get back to you soonest...

TIG · 7 Sept 2012, 13:32

Here's v6.0 http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=46367#p46367
It's not the full update that is still in the very long pipe-line [web-dialogs etc], but it is issued to address reported problems with using PC DWG/DXF xrefs... AND now it allows these on MAC too...

Elibjr · 11 Sept 2012, 23:01

@tig said:

Here's v6.0 http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=46367#p46367
It's not the full update that is still in the very long pipe-line [web-dialogs etc], but it is issued to address reported problems with using PC DWG/DXF xrefs... AND now it allows these on MAC too...

Wow! Thank you TIG! You are awesome! I will try this later! Thanks !!!

EarthMover · 12 Sept 2012, 01:40

Thanks TIG! Not sure how I missed this. Really could've used this on my latest project. Can't wait for the revamp.

ravinhuxley · 3 Oct 2012, 20:50

TIG-

I neglected to come back and let you know that you are awesome. Thanks for the updated plugin!

Mohsin_Mazhar · 12 Dec 2012, 09:14

Can any one please tell me about how to install it in google sketchup 8 pro? I have copied the XrefManager.rb to my google sketchup plugin folder. But i am unable so see Xref tools while i open my plugin menu in Google Sketchup.

TIG · 12 Dec 2012, 10:15

@mohsin_mazhar said:

Can any one please tell me about how to install it in google sketchup 8 pro? I have copied the XrefManager.rb to my google sketchup plugin folder. But i am unable so see Xref tools while i open my plugin menu in Google Sketchup.
This tool is the simplest sort you will come across - a single .rb file that you place in the Plugins folder. There is no unzipping, extraction, subfolders of helper files, Libs, other files that you need [the one additional .so file for PC users was discontinued some years ago] etc. Once installed, after a restart of SketchUp, it should add a submenu to the Plugins menu, with sub-items relating to the tool; this is the only slightly complex matter, as some even simpler tools might add their item directly into the Plugins menu itself. Also it is not an Extension, so it doesn't need activating and it has not got a toolbar to activate either...

I assume you are not getting any error messages as SketchUp starts...

So, assuming that it appears to you that you have installed the .rb file in the Plugins folder and you are not seeing the menu items then I suspect you have not got your security permissions set properly...
Look at the Plugins folder in Windows Explorer - is there a link/button in one of the top-bars saying something like 'Compatibility Files...' - this is indicative of this. If you click on it you should find that the .rb file [and perhaps other things too] have been put into a 'Virtual Store' with a path that mimics the Sketchup..Plugins folder structure. This is 'Windows' protecting you from yourself, over zealously. SketchUp cannot auto-load files from this folder, although they can be seen in the main folder's list they are actually elsewhere !
Being an Admin is not sufficient to allow you to add files to 'program files' subfolders, without issues...
So to fix this... as an Admin, select the Plugins folder's icon and right-click context-menu > Properties > Security > Edit... Set the access-rights to that folder to 'FULL' [all ticked] for 'yourself' and then OK to save the changes...
From now on when you add a file to the Plugins folder, then that's where it goes...
So they should all work as expected...
You might wish to tidy up the 'Compatibility Files...' - either by deleting them after you reinstall things, or Edit/Cut+Paste back into the proper Plugins folder otherwise...

Incidentally you should set the permissions for the Components, Materials and Styles folder to FULL too as from time to time you will want to add files to those as well...

Please confirm if this was the issue and it's fixed: it might help others having similar problems...

Mohsin_Mazhar · 12 Dec 2012, 10:44

Thank you so much for helping me, i have followed all steps you have written for me. but the problem is not fixed yet.

TIG · 12 Dec 2012, 11:20

Have you checked everything as I said ?
How about 'security permissions' ??
'Compatibility Files...' ???
Can you take a screen-shot of your Plugins folder showing the whole window, and the files [especially the xrefmanager.rb one].
Also a screen-shot of the Plugins folder's Properties > Security > Edit dialog might help...

Backstyler · 16 Dec 2012, 22:00

Hi. Thanks for the great plugin.

"Pick Type of XREF Checking On Opening: Open XREF Manager if needed" is selected, but the dialog does not show up when opening a file. What's wrong?

Thanks

TIG · 16 Dec 2012, 22:38

@backstyler said:

Hi. Thanks for the great plugin.

"Pick Type of XREF Checking On Opening: Open XREF Manager if needed" is selected, but the dialog does not show up when opening a file. What's wrong?

Thanks
What is your OS?
This is a "PC only" [experimental] feature to auto-check for a needed update of any xrefs when you open a SKP.
You can easily use the tool 'manually'...

Backstyler · 16 Dec 2012, 22:42

@tig said:

@backstyler said:

Hi. Thanks for the great plugin.

"Pick Type of XREF Checking On Opening: Open XREF Manager if needed" is selected, but the dialog does not show up when opening a file. What's wrong?

Thanks
What is your OS?
This is a "PC only" [experimental] feature to auto-check for a needed update of any xrefs when you open a SKP.
You can easily use the tool 'manually'...

Windows 7

TIG · 17 Dec 2012, 20:45

I suggest you 'switch it off', pending an update...

Backstyler · 17 Dec 2012, 22:29

Ok.

A few more feature requests:

The definition name of the "outer" XREF component seems to be derived from the "source" file's name. Could this component name please refresh as well when I re-bind a file and the file name has changed? (maybe as an option in the XREF settings)
When I insert the same source object twice (e.g. by an oversight), your plugin makes two different components with different definition names (#xx). In the manager they are listed as separate components.
There could be an option in the settings what to do if an object is already in the project:

create a separate component
copy the former one
ask again
(if that's not possible, there could be at least an popup message saying that this object was already inserted)

Thanks for the great work,
Best regards
Felix

Backstyler · 19 Dec 2012, 12:45

@backstyler said:

Ok.

A few more feature requests:

The definition name of the "outer" XREF component seems to be derived from the "source" file's name. Could this component name please refresh as well when I re-bind a file and the file name has changed? (maybe as an option in the XREF settings)

When I insert the same source object twice (e.g. by an oversight), your plugin makes two different components with different definition names (#xx). In the manager they are listed as separate components.
There could be an option in the settings what to do if an object is already in the project:

create a separate component

copy the former one

ask again
(if that's not possible, there could be at least an popup message saying that this object was already inserted)

Thanks for the great work,
Best regards
Felix

It would also be nice to have an option to have a prefix for the xref component's name. So that when I set e.g. 'XREF: ' as prefix, all components created by xref get the name 'XREF: <filename of ref'd file>'. This way I can avoid that if I have a component in my "source" file already with a name the same as the file name, one of the nested components gets '#1' added to it's name (avoids confusion and makes my parts list created by the Cutlist plugin prettier).

Backstyler · 2 Jan 2013, 14:19

Hi TIG,

what do you think of my suggestions?

Best,
Felix

matt.gordon320 · 5 Feb 2013, 21:26

Thanks a million TIG! This is brilliant! Can't wait to see what you come up with next, you're a scripting machine!

ADDENDUM - Hey TIG, I've been using the heck out of this plugin since I discovered it, and in fact I wanted to see if I could make a request or two? I've got a model with probably 25 XREF SKP components, and it's super stable. The only thing is that because my monitor resolution is somewhat lacking at work, I'm about 2 XRef's away from the Manager window not fitting the screen any more. I think a re-sizable or scroll-able XRef Manager window would be amazing if it isn't already in the works. Knowing you it'll be posted before I hit submit