[Plugin] SketchUpBIM: Building Modeling made easy!

thomthom

The problem is usually with your global variables. If you use $pluginDir = "c:/BIM" and another plugin uses $pluginDir = "c:/Other" then the last one who load will change the variable $pluginDir in all loaded plugins. So make sure you name your global variables accordingly. For example, use $bim_pluginDir instead of $pluginDir

No - the best thing is to not use global variables! Ever! Play nice with the environment your plugin live in and wrap everything in your own unique namespace module. No global variables and no global methods or constants that gets added to the Object class and inherited throughout every other class.
I wrote down some guidelines for avoiding clashes with other plugins etc: http://www.thomthom.net/thoughts/2012/01/golden-rules-of-sketchup-plugin-development/

Ineshtine

@thomthom said:

No - the best thing is to not use global variables! Ever! Play nice with the environment your plugin live in and wrap everything in your own unique namespace module. No global variables and no global methods or constants that gets added to the Object class and inherited throughout every other class.
I wrote down some guidelines for avoiding clashes with other plugins etc: http://www.thomthom.net/thoughts/2012/01/golden-rules-of-sketchup-plugin-development/

TT, I was pointing out the possible problem and a simple fix using search/replace rather then changing the whole code!

thomthom

It appear that this plugin doesn't work that well when installed to a location to anything other than the Plugins folder. Toolbar icons, webdialogs.

Usually when I see this behaviour it's because the plugin uses Sketchup.find_support_file to build the paths to the resources. A better practice is to build the path relative to the file itself, using __FILE__. I see all the files are rbs files - where __FILE__ will not work. But You can instead create an unscrambled loader which stores the path it's installed to for later use by the scrambled files. That way users can install the plugin to any location.

The reason people install to other locations is that they want to share plugins between SketchUp versions or computer. It's become popular to install plugins to a shared Dropbox folder. That's why it's a good thing to write plugins that work from any location.

Phil Rader AIA

I notice an odd behavior when I have SketchupBIM installed.

IF I activate layer 0 in the layers dialog all layers are turned on, The camera view is changed to Isometric, and The camera is zoomed to extents:

see this video:

http://www.nvizeon.com/su/ZOOM_ISSUE.mp4

This behavior only happens when SketchupBIM is installed.

Is this a know bug or is this a "feature" built-into the plugin?

Phil Rader AIA

I have disabled this plugin as it is too invasive of the user interface. It forced a zoom extents and isometric view and all layers on when a file is opened instead of opening the file to the last saved view.

I'll try it out again though as it definitely has potential to be very useful.

RICALBUR

Thank you, I will try it

Edson

I am not sure the points I am about to make have not been made before. in that case, I apologize for the repetition. here they go.

one of the first lessons one learns about good modeling practices is: keep layer 0 the active layer ALWAYS. SketchupBIM puts not only all entities modeled on a given elevation on a specific named layer – which is good – but also puts all the geometry (edges and faces) in that layer.
all the elements created are solid groups – again initially a good thing – but if one needs to create 20 columns SketchupBIM creates 20 groups whereas any good modeling practice would indicate those columns were components, for obvious reasons.
the tool forces one to model everything from a center line alignment. I, for one, would welcome the possibility of choosing the alignment that suits me best.
wall segments always overlap. an autoclean feature would be very nice.
why can't a new segment wall start from a corner or from the surface of a wall? they tend to all grab the center line of the wall.
pardon me, but the standard way to view the model is awful. one of the great things about designing in 3D is to be able to simulate what the object will be like when viewed in real life. what is the point in viewing the model in a distorted way in which what is far away looks bigger than what is close to you? I really do not care for the fact that it replicates some engineering apps. who is this tool meant for? the developers should be clear about that.

all in all, a promising tool but still needs to have more built-in flexibility. as it is it tends to force one to work in a specific way and not a better one.

d_e_x

@unknownuser said:

IF I activate layer 0 in the layers dialog all layers are turned on, The camera view is changed to Isometric, and The camera is zoomed to extents: see this video: http://www.nvizeon.com/su/ZOOM_ISSUE.mp4
Is this a know bug or is this a "feature" built-into the plugin?

@unknownuser said:

It forced a zoom extents and isometric view and all layers on when a file is opened instead of opening the file to the last saved view. I'll try it out again though as it definitely has potential to be very useful.

Hi Phil,

Thank you for your feedback. We will make the following changes to the upcoming version of SketchUpBIM:

Prevent "Zoom Extents" when a file is re-opened. The new version will retain the original camera position.
When "Layer0" is clicked, the automatic display shall apply to only those layers with SketchUpBIM elements. The other layers shall retain their default display toggle.

Dex

Phil Rader AIA

@d_e_x said:

@unknownuser said:

IF I activate layer 0 in the layers dialog all layers are turned on, The camera view is changed to Isometric, and The camera is zoomed to extents: see this video: http://www.nvizeon.com/su/ZOOM_ISSUE.mp4
Is this a know bug or is this a "feature" built-into the plugin?

@unknownuser said:

It forced a zoom extents and isometric view and all layers on when a file is opened instead of opening the file to the last saved view. I'll try it out again though as it definitely has potential to be very useful.

Hi Phil,

Thank you for your feedback. We will make the following changes to the upcoming version of SketchUpBIM:

Prevent "Zoom Extents" when a file is re-opened. The new version will retain the original camera position.

When "Layer0" is clicked, the automatic display shall apply to only those layers with SketchUpBIM elements. The other layers shall retain their default display toggle.

Dex

1.Good Plan...I don't like "plugins" or other software that "makes" decisions for me without my permission.
2.Why would you alter the behavior of the standard SketchUp layers dialog...IE: if your plugin is installed or NOT when I click on layer 0 in the standard SketchUP dialog window the behavior should be the same. If you want a user to implement your tools create your own layer dialog or create a new layer called SUBIM that when clicked gives you the desired effects from your plugin. I do not expect anything to change when I activate layer 0...nada...nothing except that layer 0 becomes the active layer, unless layer 0 is turned off in which case all objects on layer 0 will now be visible...if clicking the activate radio button on layer 0 in your new version will change the "standard" out of the box SU behavior than I would still consider that invasive and not a desired result. Just my opinion.

thomthom

I agree with Phil. I don't like it when a plugin takes over and changes the SketchUp environment.

Pixero

I agree. Thats why I've uninstalled it.
There should at least be settings so that the user can choose IF he wants the plugin to do such things.

AdamB

You're correct Phil. I looked at this plugin and if Layer 0 is changed it throws away your current camera view and forces a hard wired direction using a parallel projection view!

I know this is an old thread but just for the record, they never contacted LightUp about their plugin problems.

Adam