[Plugin] Selection Toys

trad3mark

Hmmm that's a pity. I wanted to have a bunch of them with keyboard shortcuts, but i guess that's not an option considering they don't show up in the shortcuts menu in preferences.

Dave R

They'll show up in the Keyboard shortcuts if you have something selected so they'd show in the Context menu just like adding keyboard shortcuts for other Context menu items. Filter for Select Only.
Screenshot - 2_1_2018 , 1_10_18 PM.png

trad3mark

@dave r said:

They'll show up in the Keyboard shortcuts if you have something selected so they'd show in the Context menu just like adding keyboard shortcuts for other Context menu items. Filter for Select Only.
[attachment=0:24ee8hmh]Screenshot - 2_1_2018 , 1_10_18 PM.png[/attachment:24ee8hmh]

YAY!!

Thank you so much for that! That solved it!

Matheron

It would be great if Selection Toys could find solids and nonsolids.

This feature would turn Selection Toys to a powerful solid modelling aid, along with Solid Inspector. We would use it all the time.

This could be done by adding to the context menu Select Only > the two entries:

Solids
Nonsolids

Likewise, the context menu Deselect > could contain:

Solids
Nonsolids

Being able to quickly find all solids or all nonsolids would be extremely useful for preparing complex models for 3D printing. Typically, the user want to find all nonsolids, since nonsolids block printability. Then the user would fix nonsolids with Solid Inspector and manual work.

This means that optimally, Selection Toys ought not just to look at the current context. It should parse the entire object hierarchy, starting from the current context. It also means that identifying solids along object branches should be exclusive, while identifying non-solids along object branches should be inclusive:

• When using Select Only > Solids, Selection Toys should only select groups and components that have 100% solids all the way down to all raw geometry.

• When using Select Only > Nonsolids, Selection Toys should select all groups and components that contain at least one nonsolid.

Sketchup (via Entity Info) currently does not report a group or component containing 100% solid groups or components as a solid. So this flag cannot be used. You have to look at the leaves first and work your way back up to the current context. Selection Toys should be able to correctly report contexts that contain both raw geomety and further groups and components.

Matheron

It would be good if Selection Toys could have the option to use a selection of any containers (components and groups) and convert each into a group:

Selection Toys
Instances -> Convert into groups

Right now, Selection Toys has the ability to convert groups into components. However, sometimes the reverse is needed - to convert all components into groups (or make them individually unique components).

I have not come across this functionality in any other extension.

Use case: Several other extensions, e.g. some boolean tools, rely on geometry that is unique for correct operation. For example, when using a large solid volume to subtract from several hundreds of solid components at once, where the resulting intersections may cut each component at different places, some boolean tools will not work well with components. But they do work well with groups, since they are already unique.

It is a fringe case, but sometimes it is needed and it should be easy to implement.

Box

@matheron said:

(or make them individually unique components).
I have not come across this functionality in any other extension.

The late great Honoluludesktop has a plugin for this.
https://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=make_all_unique

juju

You can also take a look at nz_ConvertMe, not free but won't break the bank either, I've used it and was satisfied.

Matheron

Thank you for the extension links.

Even more elegant would be if "convert into groups" would be baked into Selection Toys.

However, the much more important wish is in my previous post - to make Selection Toys able to filter for solids and nonsolids.

Semik

Dear, I have problem with Selection Toys floating toolbar. I lost it when I dragged it to the edge of screen. Now I can use only menu on right mouse button. I tried to remove and reinstall the plugin but I still can't see the toolbar. I use SketchUp 2018 Pro at MacPro with High Sierra. Does anybody has the idea (trick) how to solve this problem?

JClements

Do you have dual monitor? If so and you are only using one, then connect to a second monitor and then drag the entire toolbar into the first monitor,

Semik

@jclements said:

Do you have dual monitor? If so and you are only using one, then connect to a second monitor and then drag the entire toolbar into the first monitor,

Thank you! I did it. I was using a tablet with video cable which was connected to computer. Computer detected the second monitor.

Einstein

Hi!

I'd have a couple ideas for selection methods.

One would be selecting edges by crease, which is SubD parameter - one could select only creased or non-creased edges or even the ones within certain crease range (0-1), for example: select only edges with crease value from 0.5 to 1. This would significantly improve subdivision modelling workflow.

Another is adding "sharp edges" definition next to soft, smooth and hidden edges. I know this is achievable by reversing selection and subtracting faces from selection, but it adds a couple of extra steps. I'd gladly assign hotkey for selecting only sharp edges cuz I do it a lot.

Filtering out solid groups/ components would also be a cool feature!

Einstein

"Select (only)/ deselect stray edges" would be very useful too!
The definition of a stray edge would be the same as in Clean Up tools.

Einstein

Hello,
Is this thread totally dead?
I was wondering if there's a chance of implementing my suggestions

icpu

Bug report for SketchUp 2023

Convert Group into components behaves weirdly in SketchUp 2023
After converting:
Selected Group not immediately change to component in entity info
All copy group when selected is not shown in entity info when selected
as if there is no object selected, but it is selected in viewport (blue bounding box)

It also creates new exactly same item on the first copy ever created,
reulting in 2 object exactly the same, the group and the component

icpu

Bug report in SketchUp 2023

Convert group behaves weirdly.

Converted group when converted is not shown in entity info
All copy of the group, including those are not selected are converted to component
It creates a duplicate of the group on the first ever copy of the group ever created,
resulting in 2 exact looking object but 1st on is a group, the 2nd is a component

designerbursa

When I install this plugin "ae_LaunchUp"; I get the console error

C:/Users/User/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2021/SketchUp/Plugins/tt_selection_toys/json.rb:39:in each' C:/Users/User/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2021/SketchUp/Plugins/tt_selection_toys/ui_manager.rb:280:in build_menus'
C:/Users/User/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2021/SketchUp/Plugins/tt_selection_toys/ui_manager.rb:262:in `block (2 levels) in build_ui'

carlosmgilp

Hello how are you.
First, thank you for this great tool and the collaboration for everyone.

What is the difference between Border Edges and Selection Border?

You could add icons for Border Edges and Selection Border.
And so I can add it to the toolbar.

Select border.jpg

I also wanted to ask you, if you can add a new border selection tool with vertices.

Select border with vetex.jpg

If you can help me, I would appreciate it with all my heart.
Greetings.

roberG66

a little late to the game (by 20 yrs or so) but that "Selection Toys is ON-POINT!! thanks man!

akynxs

@thomthom said in [Plugin] Selection Toys:

Plugin renamed! Please remove old version 1.x before installing version 2.x!

Overview
Set of commands to manipulate selection.

Compatible

Sketchup 6+ (Older versions untested)

Windows* and Mac

Requires

Windows requires Internet Explorer 7 or newer for the UI Manager window to function.

New in version 2
Many many bugs brutally squashed. Accuracy improved. Selection speed improved. A spanking new toolbar with a stupid amount of icons. (Don't worry - it will have to be enabled first!) And last but not least: a UI Manager.

New in version 2.1

Command Cheat Sheet

New in version 2.2

Select Quad-Face loop now accept multiple start-edges

Added Selection filters for Border Edges

Added Selection filters for Selection Border

Fixed Select Instances by Layer bug

Updated some method names to reflect changes in TT_Lib 1.2

Toolbar

Customize the amount of buttons you want from the UI manager.
Have no fear! You must enable it from Tools->Selection Toys->Enable Toolbar before it appears under View->Toolbars->Selection Toys.

This is to avoid the possibility of the dreaded toolbar mayhem that might occur when you add a new toolbar. So if you never want to use this plugin's toolbar you don't have to worry about it causing problems.

However, if you do enable it, be aware you might suffer toolbar madness - there is nothing I can do about that. I warned yee!

Tools:
Select Edge Loops — (1.14.0)
Access: Tools -> Selection Toys -> Select Edge Loop

This select tool will pick out the loops of a face. Using the normal Select modifier keys you can add/remove/toggle their selection. Loops are either the bounding edges of a face or a hole in a face.

Components:
Select Instances - Selects all the instances of the selected component.
(Works just like Rick W.'s Instances script)

Select Active Components - Selects all the instances in the current work space. Excludes everything that's nested inside other components etc.
(Works just like 'Select Instances' when you right click an component from the component browser.)

Select Active from same Layer - Selects all the instances in the current work space of the selected component which is on the same layer.

Select All from same Layer - Selects all the instances of the selected component which is on the same layer.

Dynamic Components:
Same methods as for Components, except that it allows you to select by DC family type. Commands located under 'DC Instances' submenu.

Groups
When you make a copy of a group without modifying it SketchUp keeps a track of each these group items that's similar. You can see the Entity Info give you a number of how many copies there are.
(Commands are located under the submenu 'Copies')

Same selection methods as for Components.

Convert into Components - Converts all the group copies into components. Transformation and materials will be transferred.
Useful for when you have a model where groups where used instead of components.

Edges
[i:2sg303xcSelect Quad-face Loop[/i:2sg303xc]] - Select one edge and the connected faces and lines going in either direction from that edge will be selected as long as the faces have four edges. More or less than four edges and the selecting stops at that point.

Faces

[i:2sg303xcSelect Connected Perpendicular Faces[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Connected Parallel Faces[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Connected Coplanar Faces[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcConnected Faces by Angle[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcConnected Faces by Area[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Perpendicular Faces[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Faces in Same Direction[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Parallel Faces[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Opposite Face[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Faces by Area[/i:2sg303xc]]

Edges/Faces

[i:2sg303xcSelect Connected By Material[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Connected By Back Material[/i:2sg303xc]]

[i:2sg303xcSelect Connected By Layer[/i:2sg303xc]]

Entities

[i:2sg303xcAll on Selected Layers[/i:2sg303xc]] - Select all the entities in the model that are on the same layer as the selected entities.

[i:2sg303xcActive on Selected Layers[/i:2sg303xc]] - Select all the entities in the active context that are on the same layer as the selected entities.

Selection Modifier
[i:2sg303xcSelection Submenu[/i:2sg303xc]] - Currently there's two kinds of modifiers. One filters out the type of entity you want. The other deselects the entity you specify.
You can filter/deselect these kind of entities: %(#FF8000)i:2sg303xc]Edges, Faces, Groups, Components, Guides, Construction Points, Text, Images, Section Planes, Curves, Arcs, Circles, Polygons, nGons, 3D Polylines, Linear Dimension, Radial Dimension, Front Default Material, Back Default Material, Hidden, Soft, Smooth[/i:2sg303xc
Other filtering options are filtering entities with default materials, by their layers.
Tip: Assign keyboard shortcuts for these commands for quick selection modification. For instance; Ctrl+1 to Ctrl+9 for the filters and Shift+1 to Shift+9 for the deselectors. Very handy.

Known Issues:

Ghost selections appear when selecting all groups/instances and some of them are nested inside other groups or components. [i:2sg303xc](Fixed in Sketchup 7.1.)[/i:2sg303xc]

Convert Groups to Components doesn't transfer glued_to and attributes.

Guide: How to install RBZ Files
http://sketchucation.com/plugin/738-tt_selection_toys

UI Manager
[floatl:2sg303xc][/floatl:2sg303xc]
The UI Manager let you add and remove menu and toolbar items. So if there's features you never use you can hide them forever! Check / Uncheck to add or remove - items marked green will be added next time Sketchup starts, items marked red will be removed.

Hello ThomThom,

I would like to report a possible compatibility issue with the Selection Toys plugin when using SketchUp 2026.

After updating to SketchUp 2026, Selection Toys no longer behaves as expected. In my case (and according to other user reports), the plugin causes problems related to the interface and toolbars, such as tools not appearing correctly or toolbar customization not working properly. When Selection Toys is disabled or removed, SketchUp 2026 appears to function normally again.

This issue seems to be related to changes introduced in SketchUp 2026 rather than a specific workflow error, as the plugin works correctly in previous versions.

I wanted to bring this to your attention in case it helps with investigation or future updates.

Thank you very much for your work and for maintaining such an essential extension for the SketchUp community.