[request/idea] Specific parent component view

agamemnus · 1 Dec 2011, 17:53

I was fiddling around in Sketchup lately. As I kept adding to my model, a common (to me) difficulty emerged: it was getting harder and harder to see what I was working with.

When the model is small, my "Hide the rest of the model" in View>Component Edit is unchecked -- it's easier to compare and align this way. When the model gets bigger, seeing the rest of the model makes it very difficult to view and edit the component.

I had a thought. Perhaps if there was a way to automatically view only a subset of the model -- for instance, the group an object is in and all its children (edit: while editing the object, that is), then I could get sort of the best of both worlds: I'd be able to compare/align parts of my group/component with relevant parts of the rest of the model (since relevant parts are typically grouped!) and at the same time it wouldn't be unwieldy since the entire model wouldn't be visible.

Probably not possible with a plugin, but just throwing the idea out there.

TL;DR: We need more Component Edit view options!

mitcorb · 2 Dec 2011, 12:55

One way to maybe accomplish this is by the use of layers. Then, maybe the tool would be like grouping layer sets. Then that suggests perhaps using scenes, but as soon as you try to orbit in a scene, I guess the settings are lost?

bigstick · 3 Dec 2011, 09:07

At risk of an unwarranted plug for SUPodium, we have a new feature called 'Edit in Place', which makes it much easier to work on large models.

We have a context menu with two entries:-
Edit in Place: Open
Edit in Place: Update

When you choose the first option, you open the component or group in a new window. You can play around and edit this, then when you save it, you go back to the original model, and choose the second option, which updates the group or component.

In effect it automates the process of saving the component to disk, opening the component separately, editing it, and then reloading it.
It also works with groups though.

I think it's an excellent tool for modelling, and I use it to overcome the issue that you describe. It can also be used to test render components or groups.

Before anyone jumps on me for shameless promotion - the purpose of me posting this is not to tell you all to go and buy Podium (which would of course be great ) but in case any of the gods of Ruby think it's a great idea and might want to write something similar to make available to everyone.

agamemnus · 3 Dec 2011, 15:10

@mitcorb said:

One way to maybe accomplish this is by the use of layers. Then, maybe the tool would be like grouping layer sets. Then that suggests perhaps using scenes, but as soon as you try to orbit in a scene, I guess the settings are lost?

Also: in a complicated model moving stuff between layers might be slow. Dunno though, I don't really use layers.

Bigstick: that's a nice plugin. I'm broke, though.

Jim · 3 Dec 2011, 16:26

@agamemnus said:

Bigstick: that's a nice plugin. I'm broke, though.

You could try this plugin instead: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=33730

bigstick · 5 Dec 2011, 20:30

Windows only though isn't it?

At least that's what the posts seem to indicate, unless TIG has fixed it

TIG · 5 Dec 2011, 22:23

I only fixed a minor error in the late HDT's code...
So I don't know if it works on MAC.
But why not download it and just try it.
If it doesn't work then post the errors and maybe it's fixable.
If it's not then you can just remove the script.
If it works, job done
!

jeff hammond · 5 Dec 2011, 23:28

@tig said:

I only fixed a minor error in the late HDT's code...
So I don't know if it works on MAC.
But why not download it and just try it.
If it doesn't work then post the errors and maybe it's fixable.
If it's not then you can just remove the script.
If it works, job done
!

nah.. doesn't work on mac.. i don't get an error (i don't think this is an error?)

/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/component_edit_window_v1.1.rb;127
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/component_edit_window_v1.1.rb;114;in `call'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/component_edit_window_v1.1.rb;114

not sure what you'd have to do to make it work on a mac.. we can't open new instances of sketchup.. only new windows

[EDIT- but realistically, i wouldn't spend any time on making it compatible.. i don't think it offers anything new that can't already happen inside one window of sketchup.. now, if you could make a new window that has live updates in the other window.. well, then we'd be talking !! ]

jeff hammond · 5 Dec 2011, 23:33

@agamemnus said:

When the model is small, my "Hide the rest of the model" in View>Component Edit is unchecked -- it's easier to compare and align this way. When the model gets bigger, seeing the rest of the model makes it very difficult to view and edit the component.

you can assign that toggle to keyboard shortcuts.. make both of the component edit options a keystroke for more versatility.

in your keystroke dialog, go to
View->Component Edit->Hide Rest of Model & View->Component Edit->Hide Similar Components

set both of those as shortcuts and you have some easy visibility options at your finger tips..

another (weirdish?) thing you can do is.. if you're having difficulty working on a component because of surrounding geometry, just copy/move an instance to somewhere else in your model with more free space to work on it then delete the instance when finished..

^that's not really the weird part.. building on that idea, say you want to isolate and work on a group which contains a few components,groups,and/or raw geometry .. you most likely won't be able to use the hide shortcuts to isolate all you want without certain objects inside the group you're trying to edit also disappearing... in that case, make the group a component (not - explode the group then make it a component — just select the group then make it a component over the outer group).. now copy/move that component to a free spot and do all your edits in there.. delete the dummy group when finish.

jeff hammond · 5 Dec 2011, 23:53

for whatever reason, i left out the best way to do all this stuff (or at least my favorite way when working on large models or lots's of groups/components).. the secret weapon is paste in place..

select the group you want to edit
⌘C (file-> copy) [for all intents and purposes, if you see a ⌘, that means ctrl on windows]

delete the group [either now or sometime before you bring the edit back in.. depends on how much you trust SU not to crash ]

go to another su window
⇧⌘V (which is what you should set your 'paste in place' keyboard shortcut as)

do all your edits in that window then copy the group and pasteInPlace back in the original model..

if you edit a component in the second window, it will come back in as a unique component..
if you want all of the component instance in the model to reflect the changes, just explode it and remake it as a component using the original name.. select 'yes' when the replace? prompt comes up [but i thnk there may be a ruby to do this part for you.. i just do it the old fashioned way]

TIG · 6 Dec 2011, 11:37

It IS an error.
I've updated v1.2 in the tool's main thread.
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=370376#p370376
It's now more robust in checking as it deletes temp files ?
Can you try it again on a MAC - note the comment about component naming...
At what stage did that error appear ??

bigstick · 8 Dec 2011, 19:45

Sorry Jeff, have to disagree. The Paste in Place method I find much more convenient and reliable.

I'm sure HDT's tool will be similarly effective

driven · 8 Dec 2011, 20:28

@bigstick said:

Sorry Jeff, have to disagree. The Paste in Place method I find much more convenient and reliable.

I'm sure HDT's tool will be similarly effective

Hi,

Sorry, is that Freudian typo, do you mean 'Edit in Place' ?

I did the free trial because I thought you could buy it as a standalone, without 'Podium' ?

However for most my needs 'Paste in Place' on a mac is king.

I normally just go outside the group to 'Paste in Place' make it a new group and toggle visibility to keep track of my changes.
When I'm happy I use 'Cut' and then go back to the original, erase what I no longer need, 'Paste in Place' the 'Cut' group, make any adjustments to the receiving group then explode the new bits into it and 'intersect connected'.

some times I move it to a new drawing first...

john

jeff hammond · 8 Dec 2011, 20:36

@bigstick said:

Sorry Jeff, have to disagree. The Paste in Place method I find much more convenient and reliable.

hmm.. not sure if i'm supposed to agree here or disagree
i like paste_in_place the best too

bigstick · 9 Dec 2011, 13:27

Oops, sorry - I did mean 'Edit in Place'.

There's nothing wrong with agreeing or disagreeing, as long as we having an amicable and reasoned discussion

Of course everyone is perfectly entitled to their own views, but if you haven't tried the alternative, it's a bit difficult to compare.

driven · 9 Dec 2011, 13:46

Hi bigstick,

I did try it, and I liked it but $25 is a bit steep for my usage.

I also think from your post above most readers would assume you need podium, which isn't the case.

so, since I have NO vested interest what so ever, I'll add a link to the free trial for anyone wanting to compare...
http://www.suplugins.com/edit.php

john

bigstick · 9 Dec 2011, 17:25

Yeah, I would agree - that was a bit steep! It's integrated in the latest build though.

If you already use Podium, you'll have a new toy to play with. If you don't, Edit in Place is not going to make you buy it

jeff hammond · 9 Dec 2011, 19:41

@bigstick said:

Oops, sorry - I did mean 'Edit in Place'.

There's nothing wrong with agreeing or disagreeing, as long as we having an amicable and reasoned discussion

Of course everyone is perfectly entitled to their own views, but if you haven't tried the alternative, it's a bit difficult to compare.

people are supposed to disagree. my statement was supposed to be a joke because of your typo.
you said you disagreed with me and then said you preferred my method better

anyway.. yeah, the edit it place feature sounds nice. i think it's the same thing as the paste in place technique i outlined except automated.