Can two people work in one model?
-
-
wow that was a fast response, thanks guys.
-
This could be a ruby if the api supports it. Each component is a file, and the faces linked by their common edges, are also a component, thus a file. When a component is selected to be worked on, that file is locked. The faces in common can only be modified when the user is editing both components. Each instant of the model that a user is working on is unique, but the unselected components can only be viewed. When the user is done with the component, it replaces the original file which is them unlocked.
Or something like that :-}
-
My Xref Manager is in dire need of an update, but it still works...
Basically you split your main 'central' model up into component parts - say one for each main building or lot.
You work on these as separate files.
You insert these part models into the central model as 'Xrefs' using the Manager and then go back to working on the individual part model files - you do not work in in the main model file - except on any 'linking' or general geometry.
To update the main model file you open it and use the Xref Manager to update any changed part files in it.
Each inserted component part-model is given a modification date etc as an attribute and if the external file is found to be newer you are prompted to refresh [update] it... There are some other options for the part-inserts - to bind-in, to delete and so on...Xref Manager has even been used to model to whole of downtown 'Fresno' !
The building lots all done as separate models and updated in the central model as they were changed by several contributors... -
Probably TIG's script would give you the best and easiest results.
With "native" SU it would work somehow like this:
- you make a "rough" model of what you want to build and break it down to components (say lots in a bigger building site or storeys in a bigger building or anything)
- right click on each component and > "Save as..." (a separate file)
- Work on these separate files separately (hm...)
- finally right click on the original components in the main model > Reload... and navigate to the already detailed "parts".
The very important thing you need to remember is only to keep the alignment of the models/component axes so that they reload correctly.
I believe TIG's script works somehow similar (I have never used it although have had a project where it could've been useful) just in a more advanced and automated way.
-
It's funny that this discussion is happening at the same time as the one I started in the ruby section http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=19140. It just shows that there really is need for another cooperative modeling ruby!
-
i went to the xref manager link posted above, and saved the file. but now i don't know what to do with it or how to open the manager. i have no knowledge of how ruby script works, which i assume i will need to know in order to use this? can someone point me in the right direction
-
Brad9
Put the XrefManger.rb file into the Plugins Folder and you should then get the required menu/submenus in Plugins Menu the next time you start SUp...
There are guidance notes at the start of the script - to read those open [a copy] of the script in a text-editor [like NotePad.exe] and read them... Most scripts are basically text-files, but with an .rb rather than a .txt on the end !
To split up your model into pieces you might need to save_as the various parts [as components] and then Xref them all back into a new base central model... You work on the model-parts abut use the central-model for printing, viewing etc and 'joining' the parts together only... etc.
-
What i tend to do when working on a collabrative model is to create a blank model with an osmap locked in a layer for example ...
Then each building or groups of buildings created in seperate skp models by different people, are inserted as components.
Then when changes are made, just right click on the components in the master model and choose reload ....
No plugins required
-
Your 'reload' method is actually the basis of Xref Manager - all the plugin does is keep track of what is referenced into the model as an Xref and if they've been changed it then reports them on a list that lets you update as you want - with fewer clicks. Incidentally, it also xrefs in DWG/DXF files as well - on the PC only, although it would be probably be possible to do it for Mac now - however, other more pressing things have meant that it hasn't been advanced for several years...
-
yeah it is a good plugin i think i proposed a new interface for it a while back ... that would be great
-
With only a couple of components to reload, the plugin would probably not make too much difference but I can easily imagine that it is a huge time saver when you have dozens of such components and you can even easily get lost in what is updated and what not.
Advertisement