[Plugin] QuadFaceTools

optimaforever

When using "Remove Triangulation" on the below selected quads, then the triangulating edges are removed not only from planar quads, but also from non-planar quads.

Selected Quads:
[attachment=1:ylc5a5am]QudFaceTool_RemoveTriangulation_Before.png[/attachment:ylc5a5am]

After executing the "Remove Triangulation" command - it looks like a Swiss cheese

[attachment=0:ylc5a5am]QudFaceTool_RemoveTriangulation_After.png[/attachment:ylc5a5am]

Is there are way to avoid this?

You just want to remove triangulations on planar quads? use Fixit101 script.

optimaforever

Hello Thomthom!
Perhaps has it already been discussed, but I often misclick on the Live mesh analysis button instead of connect edges tool button. Not a big deal, you'll say, but as Livemesh doesn't work with Undo, I usually need several clicks to undo it manually.
I quasi never use Live mesh analysis because I model cleanly most of the time. But I guess some people use it.
Now my question is; is it possible to remove it from the toolbar? or make it unclickable or invisible? Alla Fredo6, make a customizable QFT toolbar? Some functions would still be accessible from the menus... I realize I never use the UV mapping tools, nor build corners/ends. and they eat some real estate on my screen.

uwesketch

@unknownuser said:

optimaforever wrote:
You just want to remove triangulations on planar quads? use Fixit101 script.

Also the "Merge Faces" from "TT cleanup3" does the trick. - which seems the same in FixIt101.
But it would be nice if the function in QFT would work as well.

optimaforever

@uwesketch said:

@unknownuser said:

optimaforever wrote:
You just want to remove triangulations on planar quads? use Fixit101 script.

Also the "Merge Faces" from "TT cleanup3" does the trick. - which seems the same in FixIt101.
But it would be nice if the function in QFT would work as well.

I guess QFT remove triangulation’s use is different... If you want to regenerate the missing planes, you could use « make surfaces » script.

uwesketch

I am not looking for a work around. The intent of the post is to report a misbehaviour of the QFT function "Remove Triangulation".

To reproduce the issue I have attached a sketchup file.

The below animated gif shows how to reproduce it.
![How to reproduce holes created by the QFT function "Remove Triangualtion"](/uploads/imported_attachments/a7Pe_QFT_Remove_Triangulation_Issue.gif "How to reproduce holes created by the QFT function "Remove Triangualtion"")

Example sketchup model to reproduce QFT "Remove Triangulation" issue

tecnomijas

Aprende a pronunciar
I would appreciate your help since when I install the quadface tools plugin the plugin toolbar does not appear. I have installed it in sketchup 2018 and 2019

optimaforever

@tecnomijas said:

Aprende a pronunciar
I would appreciate your help since when I install the quadface tools plugin the plugin toolbar does not appear. I have installed it in sketchup 2018 and 2019

Right-click an icon on the toolbar zone and check if the QuadFace Tools is checked on.

optimaforever

Thomas, is there a "drape" a quad mesh on a "target" triangulated mesh (in another group, serving as a reference) along Z axis?
I'm fond of your "Flatten selection" command in Architect Tools, but I'm looking for a tool that basically "drops" all the vertices of a quad group on a target triangulated mesh group, while keeping the first group as quads.

panixia

@optimaforever said:

"drape" a quad mesh on a "target" triangulated mesh (in another group, serving as a reference) along Z axis?

Is something like this what you are after?

optimaforever

Impressive modeling video!
Not exactly what I'm looking for but impressive nonetheless!

Let's say I have a simplified 3d mesh from a topographic survey (drawn from isohypse lines and meshed with toposhaper for instance). Very complex and heavy, and full tris so impossible to edit quickly.

Then I have a site in quad topology modeled in 2D from CAD plans with correct projections of roads, buildings rivers, and so on.

Right now, I move manually each vertice of my quad site to fit the correct height of the topographic mesh, beginning by the roads, then outlines of buildings, etc.
Of course, I use separated groups to keep the quads from merging with the tris, and I regularly test if SubD works without generating errors) and save a lot.

For complex sites, it takes hours. I enjoy the zen attitude when modeling sites but sometimes I realize that it's very repetitive and boring.

So, what I'd like is a script that 'drapes' the vertices of my quad mesh on the topographic mesh with one click, just like the sandbox's drape tool but that keeps the quads, so I can keep subDing afterwards, and of course further editing because the project always evolves...

panixia

Oh I see. +1 one for this tool request! Sort of "conform quad mesh to target mesh" that would be really useful.
maybe there is some workaround using tons of plugins..

panixia

Maybe this tecnique could be a workaround for your case?

(drape c-points + TIG triangulate points + QFT convert triangulated mesh to quad + VT make planar on Z + flowify without cut)

panixia

@optimaforever said:

This method should work in most simple cases indeed.

I totally disagree about this. If you use a similar approach by modular patches you can manage to project rather complex quad models on pretty large terrain

optimaforever

Ah sorry for the misunderstanding. I agree that Flowify is robust.
I'm meaning, I'd work with small patches at a time because SubD becomes unstable and slow to edit with huge meshes, not to mention the errors and the time it needs to pinpoint the culprit vertices.

PS I'm not used to see fast replies on this thread

By the way, I was looking for some workaround with

C-points at vertex (TiG) of the quad mesh
Drop C-points on the target mesh with Raytracer (Thomthom)
trying triangulate points (TIG) but ended in a mess, so I was looking for a script to recreate a quad mesh from the dropped Cpoints...

optimaforever

Thanks Marcello for the long didactic video ! Very clever, you're a genius!
This method should work in most simple cases indeed. Flowify rules! The thing is, not to forget to use Flowify WITHOUT CUT, and to keep things simple.
In the past, I used Instant Road but it produces messy meshes, impossible to edit anymore and you need to keep track of each iteration of the terrain, just in case you need to change road position, height, crossings, etc.

panixia

@optimaforever said:

trying triangulate points (TIG) but ended in a mess, so I was looking for a script to recreate a quad mesh from the dropped Cpoints...

That would be great indeed.. Maybe TIG could manage to add an option to to the plugin for "quadrangulate points", like his other excellent plugin "extrusion edge by rails" already does.

optimaforever

Indeed. But Thomthom could update his Raytracer too; just add an option to drop the vertices on a target mesh (he already has the command to drop Cpoints - btw I love the Drop with Trace option)

panixia

@optimaforever said:

Indeed. But Thomthom could update his Raytracer too; just add an option to drop the vertices on a target mesh (he already has the command to drop Cpoints - btw I love the Drop with Trace option)

I admit I have to dig deeper into raytracer plugin, wich I only tryed few minutes and forgot about..
So not sure how the function you are speakin'abot works.
But it sounds like you could need a plugin called "trow to" (in throw to infinity mode). Do you already know it?

Einstein

Hi!
I'm having trouble importing a model from Blender/ OBJ into SketchUp with retaining quadface topology. How should I proceed after importing an OBJ mesh? Should I select whole group and use "Blender to quads" button? Or shall I open the group, select raw geometry and then press the button? What should happen? Are the edges supposed to soften/ unsoften according to quad layout? Because in my model nothing happens (I attached .blend + OBJ file that I'm importing).
I know a similar question was already asked in this thread but unofrtunately, the documentation from bitbucket.com is no longer there. Can I still find a full documentation on QuadFace Tools anywhere?

cat_retopo.rar

zooen

Einstein
"Can I still find a full documentation on QuadFace Tools anywhere?"

Full help, but in French:
I often find plugin helpers in English (but not in French) and I have to translate myself into French. its not always easy

Une aide complète, mais en français:
Je trouve souvent des aides de plugins en anglais (mais pas en français) et je dois traduire moi-même en français. Ce n'est pas toujours facile .

QuadFace Tools

Ceci est l'adaptation libre du site de Thomthom

QuadFace Tools (quadfacetoolsfr.weebly.com)