NprTools

Al Hart

The last thing which was holding me up from putting out the Beta for NprTools was a way to make good sketchy textures. NprTools has a feature which draws patterns in SketchUp, then lets you apply Sketchy Edge Styles to the textures and then make them tileable for use as Sketchy Patterns in SketchUp.

GIMP and PhotoShop have routines to make patterns tileable, but I wanted something we could run directly from SketchUp.

This new feature of NprTools using an algorithm described by Paul Bourke

Here is an example of taking a non-repeatable swirl pattern, making it tileable and placing it in SketchUp.

Original Pattern

Tileable Pattern from NprTools

Repeating Texture used in SketchUp

This example was not very tileable in the first place, but makes it easier to see how this works. It works well with patterns, like grass or carpets, which are almost tileable. But it will make any pattern tileable.

See: Tileable Patterns for a better explanation on how this works.

tinanne

Do you have any idea when the Beta release will be available?

Al Hart

I have promised myself that I will get it out this week.

thomthom

Al Hart

NprTools is ready for testing.

To download the trial version, go to Downloads

For more information, see: NprTools

Place any questions, comments, etc. here, or on this SketchUcation Support Forum Thread.

Look for these features:

(We will have better icons in a day or two when the crowdSPRING design project is completed.)

richcat

Al
I've just download and installed OK but when attempting to use it says my trial period has expired.

(EDIT) It seems to be conflicting with Rptools, I'll try and see if it makes any difference by removing Rptools.

Al Hart

I just launched the Beta Test version.

See: This Thread

Al Hart

@richcat said:

Al
I've just download and installed OK but when attempting to use it says my trial period has expired.

Hopefully you will be the only one with this problem. (I seem to remember that you tested it about a year ago)

Try this reset trial code:

Today's reset trial code is: 89307

This code is only valid for today: Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

If you need to process it tomorrow instead, tomorrow's code is: 90344

Load the License dialog in SketchUp/Plugins/NprTools/License
Enter the password into the 'Authcode or Security Code' field of the license dialog, and
click 'Check License and Validate'.

You should be 'rewarded' with the message 'Trial Mode Reset',
which will reset your trial period for 30 more days.

richcat

Tried both codes and says it reset days to 0, each time I restart sketchup it says it end of trial period and I have to insert codes again.

tinanne

Thanks Al, I'm trying it out now.

Al Hart

@richcat said:

Tried both codes and says it reset days to 0, each time I restart sketchup it says it end of trial period and I have to insert codes again.

Arrgh!

Is it working for anyone else?

If not, we may have to put out a new version tomorrow.

Richcat,

Start your RUby Console and type in: Time.now and send it to me.

Al Hart

@unknownuser said:

You work fast! I went to the DL page and there is no check box for NPR Tools-- might confuse folks?

I put out the Alpha Test version of NprTools over a year ago - so it has been in production for a long, long time.

But I am glad to finally get it out (I hope)

Al Hart

@richcat said:

Al
It seems to be conflicting with Rptools, I'll try and see if it makes any difference by removing Rptools.

Yes, We really need to put out a new version of RpTools as well to match it.

[Edit] You can't really remove RpTools. It shares the same code space, and installation folder as NprTools.
(They are the same internally, except for the toolbar)

If you have a valid license for RpTools, or the Combo Pack, use that license and request an authcode for NprTools. People who own either of these products to not have to purchase NprTools. It will be included.

Al Hart

Note to self: Don't release a new Beta Test product just 30 minutes prior to when you will be gone for several hours.

If anyone has problems, be patient and look again tomorrow.

richcat

I was able to quickly try out soft shadows but even though I selected launch when complete, had to go searching for the image produced in "My Documents\NprTools\SoftShadows"

Soft Shadows1.jpg

richcat

AL
On the machine I'm testing this on it has an a copy of RpTools but the trial has expired, which basically leaves me with the tools in RpEdits.

My laptop has the fully functional copy of RpTools, but I have not tried Nrptools on this yet.

Just luv these soft shadows (10 iterations & time increment set 1)

Soft Shadows2.jpg

BTM

Sorry I haven't been able to scan the sketchy lines %(#808080)[(still )]. i've had issues with a few things, including finding out which surface I drew the cleaner-looking diagonal lines on ( I've tried a few different places...).
Oh, and on the NprTools wiki, it says 'diagonals not available' for the thin lines, but I did post them
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/download/file.php?id=26739
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/download/file.php?id=26740
lastly, I can't use it because i don't have a sketchup enabled windows computer lying around. Still, I can't find the demo download link on the downloads page If it's there, I guess I'm not looking hard enough

...Also, anyone have any sketchy shadow examples? I just want to see how they work.

Al Hart

@unknownuser said:

I can't use it because i don't have a sketchup enabled windows computer lying around.

We did start on the Mac version last week, but it will be a little while before it is ready.

Al Hart

@richcat said:

Al
It seems to be conflicting with Rptools

NprTools is checking the trial days for RpTools instead of the new trial days for NprTools.

There is no easy fix.

I'll post a new version tomorrow for people who already have RpTools installed.

Sorry,

Al

Al Hart

@unknownuser said:

I can't find the demo download link on the downloads page If it's there, I guess I'm not looking hard enough

I just added the NprTools checkbox to the download form.
(You can download all products even if you don't check them off)

And it is on the page you get after filling out the form.

In either case, click Refresh if you can't see it.