[Plugin] Hole Punching Tool

TIG

Jim's AHL is an old script [~6yrs] - it does some pretty simple stuff but has no observers, or other on-load code at all, except for setting up it's item in the menu.***

I am at a loss to see what is happening to cause such a clash/splat...
The HPT has no layer manipulations and nothing that I can see to clash at all...
When I add AHL to my Plugins folder and restart SketchUp I get no issues at all when opening SKPs - without without HP-compos etc !!

As an alternative - there might be a similar tool within Didier Bur's 'Layer Manager'?

Here are some possible 'fixes' for AHL - which of course I can't test because I can't get it to break !
Try these in this order until you get a resolution ???
***The menu item creation is set up somewhat oddly:

unless file_loaded?( "add_hidden_layer.rb" )
    UI.menu.add_item("Add Hidden Layer") {AddHiddenLayer.start}
    file_loaded("add_hidden_layer.rb")
end

so try rewriting it as:

unless file_loaded?(__FILE__)
    UI.menu("Plugins").add_item("Add Hidden Layer"){AddHiddenLayer.start()}
end
file_loaded(__FILE__)

Then restart SketchUp and see if it starts OK with AHL & HPT loaded...
Since AHL loads after HPL try renaming its .rb file with a leading # so that it loads beforehand - this might avoid the issue...

ArCAD-UK

Apparently a completely fresh COLD boot this morning and everything is running again with both the hacked and original versions of AHL Thanks for the help.

Another excellent tool from the Master!

ArCAD-UK

Hi Tig, I was playing with this last night testing the boundaries. One thing that me is I can create cutting components with complex geometry including projecting groups with faces flush with the cutting plane, but as long as there is an ungrouped "loop" of edges SU cuts as expected. In HPT as has been previously mentioned such a component can cause unexpected displacement if there are groups/components projecting from the cut plane.

I appreciate the "fix", I was just wondering if the HPT would benefit from a requirement for a single loop on the cutting plane and ignore all other group/component and non-cutplane entities which would be more in line with the native SU cutting process?

ArCAD-UK

Hi TIG, I get regular bug splats if the Outliner is fully open e.g. displaying contents. Is there a fix or is this an SU problem? I've noticed with a number of plugs that the Outliner window goes manic with some processes but they don't always splat.

TIG

It's a know issue with any heavily processed tool.
Recommended that the Outliner is closed or at least rolled up when going intensive operations...

moonray

PLEASE HELP!
Hole punch menu does not appear after plugin installation and requred objects and component peparation. All required folders are ok.
SKETCHUP 2013

TIG

@moonray

Let's assume you've installed it properly.
There is NO Plugins-menu item or toolbar.
If you right-click the context-menu has a submenu for the tool.
Some items are enabled/disabled - depending on what is selected.
If you have a component-instance selected that is gluing/cutting and glued to a face then you get the Punch option etc...

Can you post a simple example SKP so that we can see what you have done...

If you have not installed it properly, then you won't get the tool appearing in SketchUp at all.
How did you install it exactly ?
Your post suggests that the file/subfolder have installed correctly into the Plugins folder... but this might be an illusion...
Can you post a screen-shot of the folder, including its top bars in Windows Explorer...
If you have limited access rights to your Plugins folder Windows can leave you thinking it's installed, but it's not! Limited security permissions is the default for folders inside the Program Files tree - it needs adjusting to allow you to add/manage plugins...
A button/link in the window's top-bars saying 'Compatibility Files...' is a give away...
To set up you Plugins folder correctly...
As an admin [if you are not already one change your status in the Users Control Panel.
Find the Plugins folder and select it
Right-click
Context-menu
Properties
Security
Edit...
set permissions to FULL [read/write] for all users/groups listed
Apply/OK

Also select the SketchUp.exe file [in the same folder] and in the same way...
Properties
Compatibility
Tick the bottom check-box 'Run this Application as Administrator'

Now you can add/manage your Plugins...

moonray

Thank you for reply!
Yes understand that it is should be ncontext menu (not simple)
I have changed permitions to maximum rights both of exe file and plugins folder but
I still haven't found what I am looking for.
Please see my attached screens and the file.

scene and screenshots of folders

moonray

It is OK! Thank you!
It works perfectly!
The reason was that i did not install the plugin inside sketchup itself, but just copied files to folders. I did not know that I am so stupid.
Thankyou!

TIG

Glad it's fixed.
The RBZ is an archive and it's contents need installing into the Plugins folder...

davidfromwisbech

Hi
I am having a real problem with getting the hole punching tool to work, I am obviously missing something
I have added a sketchUp file of where I am with it
I would like to thank you in advance for your help
Regards
David

Hole Punching Test.skp

TIG

@David

You Component doesn't CUT a hole in its glued face, so how do you expect it to PUNCH one ??

Dave R

TIG beat me to it but note the changes I made to your model.

Hole Punching Test.skp

TIG

Here's a future-proofed update.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=271170#p271170

TIG

This updated version makes the lingvo files compatible with v2014.
http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=HolePunchTool

garystan

TIG :

        Does the Hole Punchng Tool (plugin) require Sketchup 8 Pro ?  The reason I'm asking is because I have Sketchup 8 (Free).  When I downloaded this plugin, Sketchup said it was downloaded and installed.  But, apparently, it's not in my Plugins Folder (within Sketchup).   I checked and it is in the sdk folder inside of the Plugin Folder.  But, the documentation doesn't state where it's supposed to be downloaded to, or what version of Sketchup it works with.  With the Torus plugin, the documentation stated it would reside in the DRAW tab in Sketchup (which it is).

                                                              garystan

TIG

If you read the usage notes...

This tool only ever appears in the right-click context-menu.
The enabled items vary depending on what is currently selected...
From just 'set depth', to punch [if not punched], to undo/redo/unlink etc if it is punched...

It is about to be reissued [tomorrow?] after reports of an observer glitch preventing Move etc [selection auto-undo] if the selection contains a punched component...
This will be fixed shortly...

TIG

Here's an update in the PluginStore....
http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=HolePunchTool
v2.8 Fixes an observer glitch whereby the whole selection was cleared if a punched instance/reveal was in the selection and the active tool was changed.
Turned out to be a simple typo

Please update your installation...

SSM

Great tool but mine isnt working. After trying to place my window component, I right click to select "punch hole" but the only option I can select is "set depth". Thanks for any help in advance!

TIG

Is your component definition [door/window/etc] set up to both glue AND cut ?
It must cut a hole in its glued_onto-face BEFORE it can ever be considered for a 'punch'...
If not, then it will never work...
AND please remember that a cutting component definition must have its 'blue' axis [shown as a blue-X] perpendicular to its main geometry - i.e. so it 'lays onto the face that it is to 'cut'.

Post an example SKP with wall/instances so we can see what you have set up wrongly...............