Using 2D Tools
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Hey, out there,
I'm trying to use 2D tools. Would like to avoid going into Layout for text, line styles, etc. I've loaded it into the plug-ins folder and the files and subfiles seem to be there. I can't seem to understand how to change line styles or use 2D text!. Please help a rather clueless user. Thanks, Dave
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@dave wood said:
Hey, out there,
I'm trying to use 2D tools. Would like to avoid going into Layout for text, line styles, etc. I've loaded it into the plug-ins folder and the files and subfiles seem to be there. I can't seem to understand how to change line styles or use 2D text!. Please help a rather clueless user. Thanks, Dave
Reread the guide [==?].
Do you have a toolbar?
If not View > Toolbar > 2Dtools - if it's not there some files are in the wrong place - you should have a '2Dtools' folder inside the Plugins folder with loads of files in it ?
The '2Dtools' also appear on the Draw menu.
To 'style' a line select some lines and run the 2DLineStyle tool - it tells you in the status bar what the current settings are - usually something like continuous/black/2" - to change the settings right-click the mouse in empty space and a dialog pops up.
If you have a styled line already you can select it [or them] and right-click over it to get an 'Edit 2DLineStyle' option - where you get a similar dialog to change the selected lines' style/color/width...
The current 2dLineStyle is remembered with the saved model.
The 2Dhatching has a similar menu to change the 'pattern' accessed by a right-click in 'space'.
To add 2Dtext run that tool and a dialog asks you to enter the text-string [use \n to tell it where you want a line break]. If you set the second option to 'Yes' then a second dialog appears asking all sorts of other details [you can leave this as 'No' if you are happy with the settings from before] - the second dialog lets you choose size, font, color, and so on... After OK the text as a component appears on the end of your cursor - place it where you want - you can set it to snap flat or to any surface in 3D in the dialog.
If you want to edit some previously made 2Dtext select it and right-click over it - the context-menu has 'Edit 2Dtext' - this opens an edit dialog - with it you can change the text-string, or also many of the other aspects of it like its font or color... -
TIG- Thanks for your quick reply. I've got the 2D Tools folder, deBabelizer, 2D#.rb, and the zip 4.9 2D Tools file in my SketchUp 7/Plugins directory. I've got a tool bar. I can draw 2D lines, rectangles, cicles, polygons. I get instructions and I can change settings in line styles, but the lines stay black and continuous. I've tried seleting 2D lines first and then executing the line style command. I then tried just executing the line style command and then selecting lines with the line style pencil point icon. That actually has the effect of erasing (or hiding?) the 2D line. I can make faces. I've not been able to make the hatch command work consistantly. I've tried applying hatch to a face and also picking the inside of a 2D rectangle with no face with no results. I can select different patterns. I can change settings on 2D text and type text in the dialogue box but nothing happens when I try to place the text. I didn't understand the description of the adjust line tool. Maybe like a trim tool, which would be great?
??? Any ideas?
I think these tools you've developed would be extremely helpful if I can get them to work. I'm very impressed that you've been able to develop them. Thanks, again, Dave -
@dave wood said:
TIG- Thanks for your quick reply. I've got the 2D Tools folder, deBabelizer, 2D#.rb, and the zip 4.9 2D Tools file in my SketchUp 7/Plugins directory. I've got a tool bar. I can draw 2D lines, rectangles, circles, polygons. I get instructions and I can change settings in line styles, but the lines stay black and continuous. I've tried selecting 2D lines first and then executing the line style command. I then tried just executing the line style command and then selecting lines with the line style pencil point icon. That actually has the effect of erasing (or hiding?) the 2D line. I can make faces. I've not been able to make the hatch command work consistently. I've tried applying hatch to a face and also picking the inside of a 2D rectangle with no face with no results. I can select different patterns. I can change settings on 2D text and type text in the dialog box but nothing happens when I try to place the text. I didn't understand the description of the adjust line tool. Maybe like a trim tool, which would be great?
??? Any ideas?
I think these tools you've developed would be extremely helpful if I can get them to work. I'm very impressed that you've been able to develop them. Thanks, again, DaveThere is NO ZIP file in Plugins ???
So many questions.................
Try - run 2DlineStyle then pick some lines ???
You need to change the 2DlineStyle settings with a 'right-click in space' to open the dialog + OK.
If you have made some StyledLines that you want to change then select it/them and right-click over it to open the dialog to change the settings...
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With 2Dtext - if you set it to 'Z-plane' then it is 'flat' at z=0 - or what z-plane is set to - otherwise you might not be able to see it beneath other things ???
Set it to 'Any-Face' and it will be attached to any face/plane you pick.........
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