Overview map

tspco · 17 Mar 2010, 11:04

I was just doing a walk through of one of one of my models, once in a while I run into walls, simply because I did not know how close I was. Is there a plugin to trick to provide an overview map that sits as a inset window somewhere?
Something that would indicate XY position as well as first floor, second floor, or basement would work great!

Dave R · 17 Mar 2010, 13:17

That would be pretty slick for walk throughs, wouldn't it?

tspco · 17 Mar 2010, 23:13

Yepper If the technology worked back in the super Nintendo days, I don 't see why it couldn't work here with the technology we have these days.
Of course I am not a programmer, and don't even know where to start, not a clue.
With all the brains here on this forum I am sure somebody will accept the challenge.

Chris Fullmer · 18 Mar 2010, 05:14

I really like the idea of this, btw. I think it should all be possible. The hardest part would be figuring out exactly what themap should draw, and also I think it would require re-writing the navigation tools. But I think it might all be do-able. Rather interesting idea.

Chris

Dave R · 18 Mar 2010, 10:35

Chris, it could be useful even if you aren't doing a walk through. I sometimes work on complex models with the camera positioned inside a component. I also demonstrate this to others. I manage with it just fine but sometimes others have a difficult time envisioning what I'm showing them. It would be kind of nice to have a map in a corner showing what it going on.

Suppose the process included something like a section plane set at a user-determined height above the ground plane. The user would activate the plugin and enter the height. The plugin would create a section plane and perhaps get the edges like TIGs Section Cut Faces and use that for the map. You'd probably need a way to determine how much of the map is displayed as in how far do you zoom in on the map and so on.

Could it be in a window of its own? Then would could put it off to the side of their SketchUp window or put it on a second monitor if the have it or whatever.

All easy to ask for since I haven't a clue how to do it.

tspco · 18 Mar 2010, 11:05

A simple section slice would be fine, you don't need any detail just simple 2D outlines. One might be able to activate a plan view that sits in a corner or it could be in a separate window. Or make where and how the map shows up user selectable. The data is already there in the drawing, but how to tap it?