[Plugin] Xref Manager

[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...

[cobb89]

@tig said:

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...

so...what's the best way to keep my model lighter, apart from working in groups and layers??

[TIG]

Using Groups and Layers won't make your SKP any 'smaller' BUT they will help you model more fluidly and also allow you to 'switch things off' thereby making it easier to navigate around your model as the 'clutter' is reduced.
Using Components for repeated elements will reduce the SKP's file size, because once the definition is made each instance of it you place in the SKP adds a small amount to the SKP's size.
Adding large textures to materials or large Images will inevitably increase the SKP's size and slow down navigation.
Adding lots of polygons [edges with faces] will also inflate the SKP - Modeling a detailed tree with every twig and leaf will probably double the SKP's size in one step! Also never model parts you won't see [like the insides of objects] because they all add the the SKP's size AND need 'calculating' as you orbit etc...
Model with Fancy Edge Styles, Fog, Shadows and Textures etc all switched 'OFF' - then use suitable preset Scene tabs to flip between the different modes as needed - you only need all of the bells-and-whistles 'ON' on when you are done and rendering [or adjusting texture UV mapping etc].
Your SKP will be slowed to a crawl if you have lots of polygons casting shadows on each other and with textures 'on' etc - Sketchup has to work so much harder to decide how to display shadows etc...

[Gaieus]

There are plugins however that can help you have your rather complex model more navigable. Have a look at Ghost Components for instance:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=21469

(Now the best would of course be if you could keep these components as ghosts all the time and they would still display their "real" complexity when making image or animation export or even for render engines...)

[cobb89]

isn't there a better way than ghost comp? because i'm working on a housing projects and it has lot of housing units. [varying from 16 to 20 storeys high]..the site is huge, and I want to work on the site model. I was going to the site model with the xrefs of each type of units [located as separate files for each of the towers.]. I can't seem to find a good way

[Howard leslie]

TIG,
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed or mentioned this before with regard to your XRef plugin........
.........
If I update a model that has Xrefs linked to it (ie if one of the Xrefs has changed and the parent model asks if I want to update model), when I update the model, the scene always changes to the shaded with textures style.
Typically, I tend to use the flat (shaded) style on all my styles.
..........
Might be worth looking into next time you are working on Xref plugin.
(Brilliant plugin by the way)
...........
Regards
Howard L'

[jrp_DK]

Super tool. I can use this for my large assembly drawings.
Would it be possible to have a toolbar too, that is more handy than to open the plugins folder.

It works fine in my SU pro 8, it just need the Win32ole.so in the SU plugin lib. I use it with Fredo6 Additional plugin folders.

Thanks'

[TIG]

This tool is now very 'old in the tooth' and it needs a major revamp.
For example, lot of its 'ole work can now be done using built-in importers etc...
A toolbar and webdialog interfaces would also be on the agenda...
It is on the list of things to do BUT it's near the bottom of a long list !

[davecoopstl]

TIG,

I agree with you. This tool would benifit from an update. We use it EVERY day, to assemble and manage large models. It's really useful for that purpose.

Any updates you make, when you actually have time to make them, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all your scripting work!
Dave.

[Bob James]

I missed out on the original post for this plugin that describes what it does. Can you repost the description?

[TIG]

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]

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]

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?