Co-ordinate system and query tool
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Dear All,
Is there a way of temporarily resetting/moving the co-ordinate system so that the origin is at a specified point, a bit like the User Co-ordinate System (UCS) facility in AutoCAD? I have just tried using the axes tool and then the query tool, but the co-ordinates returned by the query tool are still those of the 'World' co-ordinate system. I have a large plate with many holes and I would like to construct a co-ordinate table (x-y values relative to a datum), and yes, I know I can move the model so that the chosen datum point is co-incident with the 'world' co-ordinate axes.
Kind regards,
Bob -
Dear Bob,
That's an interesting idea. I've wanted to make a table like that on occasion. Unfortunately moving the global axes doesn't help.
I have no idea if it could be done but I can see a plugin that would create the table for you. Suppose you activated the plugin, clicked on the datum point (0,0,0) and then clicked on the points for which you want the table of coordinates. When you are finished selecting points hit Enter and a CSV table is generated and saved to the directory in which the SKP file lives. Or perhaps the plugin could find all the construction points in a model and generate the table from them after identifying 0,0,0. Point at Center could be used to place points at the centers of the holes.
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Dear David,
Well, I suppose we can only hope that the plugin writers are listening and are interested in the problem. One could imagine the following:
Dialog box No. 1 saying select datum (probably the easiest datum would be a cpoint)
Dialog box No. 2 saying select co-ordinate cpoints. Box two would then keep a running tally of points selected, with an Add/Remove option and a Finish button.A third box asking for the CSV file location would also be useful, so one could direct the data to a specific location.
Regards,
Bob -
I have tool called something like height-above datum - you add an attribute to your model to say that z=0 is actually z=101.24m or whatever, then any of its 'height-tags' report the height relative to 'datum'.
[there is also an observer that makes sure that the text in the tag always reflects the height above datum if it's moved...]
It would be quite possible to make a similar tool called something like 'coordinates from datum' where you'd add an x, y and z attribute for the model and then any of its 'coordinate-tags' would always should the correct x/y/z values re-calibrated to the datum...
Is there much call for such a tool ??? -
I would definitely like such a tool. When working on archaeological sites, we do our digs to an orthogonal (national) co-ordinate system and querying certain points according to this system would be extremely cool. There are tens of thousands of kilometres in the system however so take it into account that it would not be just some centimetres (since Bob is in the engineering field).
Also if you think of something, it would be ideal if this data were saved with the file (so I do not need to load every time I open it) if that is possible. Or at least an option to "feed" the file from a simple text file (like Didier's cloud.rb) so after opening the file and loading the coordinates, everything would work fine.
Also, moving things by absolute co-ordinates with the
[x,y,z]method in the system would be very good. -
I've written it already and will post it shortly in a new thread. Its link is here http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=284829#p284829
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Csaba
If you want alternative 'units' formats I can look at those too... Currently it uses the Models current units/accuracy settings. You can convert selected text to tags as explained in the notes so importing a points cloud and using a simple tool to turn cpoints into text [I have written one here already?] then turn those texts into coords-tags...
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Can't the request be accomplished by selecting all the entities in the model, then placing the "Axis" where ever you want it?
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Are you suggesting moving the entire model so that 0,0,0 is at the desired datum? bob did acknowledge that as an option but suppose you have a number of parts for which you want to create the X,Y table. The datum point for each part will be in a different place so you would have to move the model for each one.
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I saw that; guess I don't understand the request.
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Often, when you have a part that needs to have a large number of holes drilled in it, rather than using dimension lines to identify the locations of those parts, an X,Y table is created. The coordinates of the center of each hole are given in the table as referenced from some point on the part. That point might be the top, right corner for example. The x and y distances from that corner are then given for each hole.
I've done SketchUp models where I was given the X,Y table and used Didier's Point Cloud plugin to insert construction points for the centers of the circles I need to draw. Bob is asking for the reverse of that.
I couldn't find an image of the SketchUp model but I was able to use the X,Y table and Didier's Point Cloud plugin to draw the holes in the green and the black plastic parts shown here.
There are a number of other parts for this machine for which I was able to use the same process.
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OK, thanks, I understand you. Isn't each component's, data points relative to the component's origin? Typically the component's
boundingbox.min? Is that what Bob is looking for?Wow, you slipped in that nice piece of equipment.
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It is a nice piece of equipment. It's the go to machine in my shop.
If you place construction points at the centers of the circles/holes in the component and click with the Leader Text tool on those points, it'll give you the global coordinates.
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@honoluludesktop said:
Can't the request be accomplished by selecting all the entities in the model, then placing the "Axis" where ever you want it?
@dave r said:
Are you suggesting moving the entire model so that 0,0,0 is at the desired datum? bob did acknowledge that as an option but suppose you have a number of parts for which you want to create the X,Y table. The datum point for each part will be in a different place so you would have to move the model for each one.
In my case, moving would not be an option as I would be some 800 kms away from the origin and you know clipping.
TIG: thanks a bunch; I am going to look at the plugin right now.
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