[Plugin] Flattery papercraft tools

pmolsen

If I am not mistaken I believe the zip file has been created incorrectly. Firstly as the other user pointed out it contains both the Mac and PC files, making it impossible to do a standard unzip without getting all of the files.

Secondly the directory structure is incorrect. To do a standard unzip on most plugins you simply tell winzip that the Extract-to folder is plugins and you tick the "use folder names" and everything works.

When you do that with Flattery.zip you get an incorrect directory structure set up. You get a high-level folder within the Plugins directory called Flattery (with a capital F). Within that folder you get the flattery.rb file and README.txt. The flattery.rb should be in plugins, not Flattery.

You also get two other folders, called flattery and .svn, within the Flattery directory.

If you open the zip file and look at the right hand column you will see the problem. The flattery.rb file has a path of "Flattery". It should have no path at all if it is supposed to go in the Plugins directory. All the other files have a path of Flattery/flattery. They should just say flattery...

Another problem is that the README.txt is ends up in the high-level plugins directory. It should be in the flattery directory, or should be called "flatteryreadme.txt" or similar. Unzipping a file called readme.txt to the plugins directory, that may contain hundreds of plugins, is a bit meaningless.

I recognise that a user would normally only need the readme initially, but a standard user doing a standard unzip is going to end up with the readme.txt in the plugins folder, probably overwriting an existing file of that name from another plugin.

The way this zip file has been set up I presume it is designed to be unzipped to C:. It would then create a directory called Flattery. The user would then have to move all its contents to Plugins, and then delete the Flattery directory. That is not intuitive and is not what the install instructions say.

The other issue is the .svn folder. What is it? The install instructions mention nothing about it but it seems that it has to go in the plugins root directory.

TIG

Personally, I would NEVER extract the contents of an unknown zip file into the Plugins folder. Too reckless.
I'd always extract it into a temporary folder [named after the zip file] on my Desktop and look at what I have then got.
Then I'd read any README file [or other instructions supplied by the author] and move files or folders-of-files into the Plugins folder as directed.
If you read this tool's README file for PC or MAC, the files and folders you need to extract/move are clearly explained.
There are superfluous files/folders that the MAC system [stupidly] adds into the zip file - but because they start with a '.' they are probably invisible to a MAC user, so they are included in error by the originator...
... BUT now I think about it why are you bitching here and not complaining to the tool's author on the Flattery web-site

pmolsen

A summary of my suggested improvements to what is a great plugin:

Separate the Mac and PC install files
Modify the paths within the zip file so it can be unzipped directly into Plugins directory like almost all other plugins.
When Index Edges is used, put a message down the bottom saying "Edges Indexed".
Fix the bug splat when model is clicked with the Unfold tool with entire model selected.
Fix a bug with unfolding multiple faces. I selected half a dozen faces of the cylinder with the select tool then changed to the unfold tool and clicked on the next un-highlighted face. They were unfolded but were not joined together. They were separated by an increasing amount of space between them. The first time I did it I clicked on one of the highlighted faces by mistake. They ended up spread all over the place.
Put tooltips down the bottom when a tool is selected and after each step telling dumb users like me what to do next. If the tool is used constantly it becomes intuitive but for a user who maybe uses the tool once a year they have to go back to the web site to find out how to use it.
Add an option to re-assemble the model back to its original state, either fully automatically or one step at a time similar to the unfold process. The tool is great for things other than metalwork and paper folding etc. It can also be used for texturing difficult surfaces, but re-assembly is then required.

pmolsen

I am not bitching. I am posting comments that may be useful to other users. I have installed lots of plugins and they have all installed directly. I do not do it blindly. I open the zip file and look at what it contains first.

I have also managed to generate a bug splat with the tool, by following the instructions like a dumb user. (Sketchup 7)

I created a simple cylinder. I then selected the entire model and clicked Index Edges. Nothing happened. I thought it had not worked. (A message is needed down the bottom saying it worked.)

With the entire model still selected I picked the Unfold tool and clicked on the model. BUG-SPLAT. Does it every time.

I finally did it properly and it works like a dream. I wanted to explode the cylinder so I could texture the curved surface with 4 separate textures. (UVTools only does one texture.)

Now what? How to I re-assemble the cylinder again? I can obviously do it manually but I was hoping for an option that would automatically put the model back together again.

One other minor issue. After install all of my toolbars were splattered all over the screen and I had to rearrange them. (I use the plugin that allows you to customise the toolbars. Can't remember what it is called.)

krash88

Awesome tool! I'll surely be using it to construct custom boxes at our factory. However, I am not seeing the previews during tab creation. Using SU7 and XP. It's not critical though and once again, great tool!

xrok1

@xrok1 said:

very nice. it would be great if you could predefine the tab sizes or have all tabs after the first one be doubleclick to repeat size.

Any progress on this?

amarino2010

I am also having trouble getting flattery loaded. I have read all of your entries. Tried things. Still no luck. I have windows 7 and sk pro 8. I have downloaded, un ziped, and copied the rb folder into my plug in folder. I get this message "Destination Folder Access Denied - You'll need to provide administrator permission to copy this folder". Then the file appears in the folder but when I start up sketch up the plug in appears no where, not even on the extensions list. I changed the permission settings to allow everything. And restarted. Still nothing.
I don't want to use "Unfold", because I have heard that Flattery is better (accidental pun , but I was able to get Unfold to load... Unlike with Flattery, when the permission window came up there was a box for me to check to give permission. Also I have tried loading it on to a different computer with no luck. If you can help me get Flattery to work I will owe you one...some how.
Thank you !
Amy jo

TIG

@amarino2010 said:

I am also having trouble getting flattery loaded. I have read all of your entries. Tried things. Still no luck. I have windows 7 and sk pro 8. I have downloaded, un ziped, and copied the rb folder into my plug in folder. I get this message "Destination Folder Access Denied - You'll need to provide administrator permission to copy this folder". Then the file appears in the folder but when I start up sketch up the plug in appears no where, not even on the extensions list. I changed the permission settings to allow everything. And restarted. Still nothing.
I don't want to use "Unfold", because I have heard that Flattery is better (accidental pun , but I was able to get Unfold to load... Unlike with Flattery, when the permission window came up there was a box for me to check to give permission. Also I have tried loading it on to a different computer with no luck. If you can help me get Flattery to work I will owe you one...some how.
Thank you !
Amy jo
Sounds like you don't have full access rights to the Plugins folder.
The system will then prevent you putting files/folders into it, or if you have slightly higher privileges it might look like it worked OK but it's really put then into a side 'compatibility files' folder, which messes you up too

To fix it...
As an Admin[istrator] right-click the Plugins folder's icon > Properties, then > Security.
Edit your/you+similar-others settings to be 'Full'; OK to save.
You should now be able to put things into the Plugins folder.
It's a good idea while you are at it to have 'Full' access rights to the other folders [and their contents] you might want to save to - Components, Materials, Styles...

When you do get Flattery in the right folder you restart Sketchup and you must activate the tool from Sketchup's Window > Preferences > Extensions menu. You might also then need to activate its toolbar from View > Toolbars...

biagiodicarlo

@pumpkin pirate said:

Hello everyone!
A while ago, I made a plugin for designing papercraft patterns. It allows you to unfold models into flat patterns, add tabs, and export them as SVGs. Just recently, I finally got around to polishing it up and putting it online. I call it Flattery, and you can get it here.

It's got three main tools for designing patterns.

The Unfold tool unfolds models into flat patterns:

the Reunite Edges tool lets you adjust the layout of the patterns:

and the Add Tabs tool makes glue tabs:

It's also got an SVG export button so you can export your pattern to a program like Illustrator or Inkscape to color and print it.

Please, where I can find FLATTERY for a mac using SU2013?!

Dave R

You copied and pasted the link in your post.

TIG

Your one line question is at the end of you pasted post.
"Flattery" ought to work on MACs too - did you read the instructions on its page it refers to MAC Plugins folders etc.
The examples given for its installation are for v8... BUT v2013 should also work using the equivalent folders.
In the Ruby Console: Sketchup.find_support_file('Plugins') will return the path to your v2013 Plugins folder [in v2013 it changes to the ../User/.. one?].
Then you can extract and install the contents of any ZIP you download.
To see that folder you will need the 'Show Lib' option checking in the Finder...
BUT remember that you can convert a ZIP into a .RBZ simply by changing its file suffix.
Then the Preferences > Extensions > Install... button will auto-install it for you anyway !
This auto-installation works in v2013 and the newer v8 SketchUp too...

shafir_am

Does not work on 2014

TIG

@shafir_am said:

Does not work on 2014
Have you told the author directly ?
If not, then it might never be corrected...

shafir_am

Hi Tig
His e-mail is not working
Do you know any other plugin like flattery

TIG

@jbb

You have a typo in the update.
It no longer works in <v14
You have added
vertecies = Set.new --> vertecies = Set.new
when it should be
vertecies = Set.new --> RUBY_VERSION.to_i < 2 ? vertecies = Set.new : vertecies = Sketchup::Set.new

I'll correct it and add it to the PluginStore later...

jiminy-billy-bob

Oh? Sorry, I must have mixed up the files...

jiminy-billy-bob

As there seem to be no way to contact the author and the copyright allows it, I modified the plugin to make it work in SU2014. It should still work fine in older versions. Here it is:

****Working version for SketchUp 2014:

EDIT : Download in the pluginstore: http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=Flattery

~~Maybe an admin can replace it in the pluginstore?~~

Modifications:
tabtool.rb line 238: if @active_edge: > if @active_edge
tabtool.rb line 276: if @active_edge && @dragging: > if @active_edge && @dragging
tabtool.rb line 287: if @active_edge: > if @active_edge
reunitetool.rb line 76: vertecies = Set.new > RUBY_VERSION.to_i < 2 ? vertecies = Set.new : vertecies = Sketchup::Set.new

TIG

I've just added v1.0.2 files to the PluginStore [previously it had linked to the author's site where the incompatible file still resides].
If the original author [who still has full credit] wants to remove it let us know.
He is also free to take the corrected version and use it on his own site if he wishes...
Under the clear terms of the (c) notice at the top of each of his files, he allows changes and reissue, provided his (c) is kept intact - which it is...

shafir_am

Thank you jiminy...
It's working now (-:

mcgully

Can anyone please help me? On my old laptop flattery worked just fine. Now WIN8 , SU2013 version and installed flattery, all worked correctly but I just can't export the drawing. I click save but it wont appear in the folder. Also tried SU8 but didn't work neither.