Export to Collada/Import to AC3D/Crash

[TIG]

Calm down!

I have tried importing 3rd party DAE files into AC3D with no issues.
The same 3rd party DAE files import into my SKPs with no issues.
I also export these SKPs as DAEs and they import into AC3D with no issues.
I also export other SKPs as DAEs and they import into AC3D with no issues.

So either your Sketchup installation is faulty OR your AC3D installation is faulty OR both.
Have you tried 'repairing' them, or doing a 'clean [re]install' ?

We can't help you if we can't replicate your problems...

[Drummer]

I know it's nothing to do with AC3D, as Blender, 3DS Max and Poser all have problems with these files and it's not something solely limited to MY version of SU, because, as I said, files of other people's which I've downloaded have done exactly the same thing. If such files work for others, the only thing it could possibly be is something general like a plugin or something. What plugins are used for ALL Collada imports, no matter what program is doing the importing?

I thank those of you who are helping, I'm not getting at you, I'm getting at people who don't seem to read what I'm typing out, that's all. It happens on almost every forum I ask a question on; it doesn't matter what forum it is or what the question is about, people just don't seem to want to read a post fully! I don't normally get rude, but I've been starting to get this way over the past month or so, due to the sheer amount of helplessness I feel on forums like this, when I'm constantly facing people who aren't reading my posts properly, and it's not the way I type!

Anyhow, thankyou for the help. I hope we can get this sorted quickly because, without upgrading to Pro, I can't use SU at all. -.-

[Gaieus]

@drummer said:

I thank those of you who are helping, I'm not getting at you, I'm getting at people who don't seem to read what I'm typing out, that's all. It happens on almost every forum I ask a question on; it doesn't matter what forum it is or what the question is about, people just don't seem to want to read a post fully! I don't normally get rude, but I've been starting to get this way over the past month or so, due to the sheer amount of helplessness I feel on forums like this, when I'm constantly facing people who aren't reading my posts properly, and it's not the way I type!

Drummer, I have read your posts and the reason I did not answer is that I do not know the solution. I only use SU exported collada in one particular application and it works like charm (especially after we asked, the developers changed the way Su exports Collada). So there are solutions but the problem may be that not too many members are familiar with AC3D here so they rather keep away from the discussion.

[Drummer]

I'm getting fed up of telling you that it's NOT ONLY AC3D! Let's say, for example, that it's NOT SU causing this issue; that would mean that the fault lies with ALL FOUR other programs, all of which have no problem importing Collada files from elsewhere and all of which work perfectly aside from this. Then, let's assume it's SU, which ONLY exports to it's own format, or Collada and who's forum I'm on right now, having to explain, in baby-English exactly what the problem is! Are you even listening to me? I AM YET TO FIND A PROGRAM THAT DAMN WELL IMPORTS SU-EXPORTED COLLADA FILES! GET THIS AC3D THING OUT OF YOUR HEAD! My goodness, is it really that difficult to understand? Please, someone help me, this is ridiculous! Is anyone actually listening to me?

[EDIT] JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR:

*Export Collada from SU=completes

*Import aforementioned file into AC3D=FAIL

*Import aforementioned file into Blender=FAIL

*Import aforementioned file into Poser=FAIL

*Import aforementioned file into 3DS MAX=FAIL

and you're telling me it's just an AC3D problem??? ARE YOU READING MY POSTS?! ARE YOU CONFUSED AS TO WHY I MIGHT BE ANGRY RIGHT NOW?!

[Gaieus]

I do not know why you are so pissed off at me. The program(s) I use can import collada exported from SU perfectly. So it means that there is something else here. I "apologize" that I do not use those programs you mention so I have no clue what the problem of yours is.

And I really beg you not to get arrogant with any of the members here. Not because I am a forum admin and TIG is a moderator (and either of us can easily kick your ass out of here) but anyone. This is supposed to be a "friendly place" here...

[Rich O Brien]

Ok, it's my turn to get shouted at now.....

Are there any...

Matched photos
Guide lines and guide points
Coordinate lines
Text
Section planes
Section cuts
Scenes
Dimensions

...in the model you export?

Are normals properly orientated?

Did you try the SketchUp to AC3D exporter?

Did you try exporting as .obj from SketchUp then import to Blender and Export as collada.

[TIG]

My go again
As the rest of us are using Sketchup to import and export DAE files without issues, and [as I stated before then successfully using them in other apps - like AC3D] it seems to me that there must be something wrong at your end - because there's nothing wrong at our end...
Our Sketchup's and DAE's work fine... So why don't yours?
Either you have somethings wrong with your installation[s] or some weird settings or another app that we don't have that is messing things up for you etc...
As Rich asked... are you trying to work with unexpectedly unusual or complex files and thereby getting these issues, or does it always fail, even with the simplest plain geometry box model export/import from your SKP ???
If you have a simple SKP that won't work please post it and we can try it at our end to show you how our setups work OK...

[Drummer]

Well, as I've said before (seems like I'm covering old ground here, which is annoying...) it doesn't matter what's in the scene at all, it just doesn't EXPORT properly; it's absolutely nothing to do with any other application, it IS DEFINITELY SU. No I have not tried exporting to .obj, because, as I said before (getting tiring, all this repeating myself lark) I can ONLY export to SU's native format OR Collada, because I'm not using 'Pro'.

Just to see if I could make this any simpler, I loaded SU, did NOTHING AT ALL to ANYTHING, then exported a Collada file. The scene was completely and utterly 100% empty, I didn't add or take away a single thing, I didn't even move the view. Literally all I did was:

1.) Open SU
2.) Export 3D Model (Collada)
3.) Open Poser, AC3D and Blender
4.) Attempt to import to ANY AND ALL OF THESE APPLICATIONS
5.) CRASH

I'm a moderator on numerous online forums, I know how the places work and I know you're quite able, as a moderator, to ban me from these forums, so you've no need to point that out to me. I'm not angry at you for not being able to help, I'm angry at you for not listening... And you STILL don't seem to be, because that's what I said before, numerous times, and you still seem to think I'm angry because you won't help me! I'm NOT ANGRY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HELP!

I guess I could try uploading a blank, empty, lifeless Collada export from my SU and see if anyone can find out what's wrong, but I just don't know! Other Collada files load up just fine, in all of these programs; which is what leads me to believe that it's SU, NOT the other programs. I did mention that maybe it was a plugin or something, which is why I asked if there was anyone from the dev team here who could list all of the plugins and absolutely EVERYTHING that could possibly be listed that's being used when Collada files are exported... This way, I can check to see if there's anything amiss there.

Again: The ONLY reason I've been getting riled up is because my typing is clear and in plain English and yet people are asking me stuff I've already answered or they're telling me stuff that I've made clear isn't applicable... The only reason I've been getting angry is because my posts clearly weren't being read thoroughly and understood completely; and it's nothing to do with my typing skills. All I ask is that people listen.

Now, if I'm asked one more thing that I've given an answer to already, or if I'm told something that I've already made clear is not applicable, for what ever reason, I'll just not bother to reply; I'll send a complaint to Google themselves.

[Rich O Brien]

There are free plugins to make SU Free export to .obj

[TIG]

At the risk of repeating myself...
At the risk of repeating myself...
At the risk of repeating myself...

[Are YOU actually reading what WE write ?]

...
As the rest of us seem to be able to use Sketchup to import and export DAE files without significant issues, and [as stated several times before] then successfully use them in other apps - like AC3D... it seems to me that there must be something wrong 'at your end' - because there's nothing wrong 'at our end'...
Our Sketchup's and DAE's seems to work pretty well...
So the question really is, 'Why don't yours?' and NOT, 'What's broken with Sketchup?'...

Either you have somethings wrong with your installation[s] or are using some weird system or app settings or perhaps you have another app [which we don't have] that is messing things up for you etc...

As Rich asked... are you trying to work with unexpectedly unusual [tiny/enormous/etc] or very complex files [geometry/images/etc] and thereby getting these issues, or does it always fail, even with the simplest plain geometry box model export/import from your SKP ???
It sounds like it, but you haven't given us a simple, clear answer...

If you have a simple SKP [and/or DAE file] that won't work in some way then please attach it to a post here... and we can download it, and try it at our end... and hopefully we can show you how our setups work in making an export, and then using it in other apps like AC3D etc...

Getting yourself in a tizzy because you think 'we' aren't giving you proper attention is simply not fair [we are 'free' after all!].
We have asked you reasonable questions, which you have either ignored or just not answered adequately.
We have asked you for sample files, which you have not provided.
it seems to me you that are spending lots of time writing long screeds of 'complaints', and insufficient time having productive communications.
This is not the 'Sketchup Complaints Department'.
It's SCF - read what we do...
Incidentally, we are not 'Google' [and in fact 'Google' no longer own Sketchup anyway - so your complaints should go to the current owners 'Trimble'...].
SCF is an independent forum to help/advise Sketchup users who, like yourself, have got something adrift...
We currently have 135,000+ members - and as far as I know not one of them has asked about anything like your issues.
The admins and mods at SCF are very seasoned Sketchup users, as well as experienced in using many related apps...

We WILL try to help you... BUT you have to help us to do it...
Perhaps Sketchup is terribly broken and therefore totally incapable of doing what you desire; however, from your writings so far personally I feel that what you describe can be done - I have done it ! So it begs the question, 'What's different about you?'
So for me Sketchup is innocent until proven guilty... you have not provided evidence, only hearsay and anecdote.

[Drummer]

@tig said:

As Rich asked... are you trying to work with unexpectedly unusual [tiny/enormous/etc] or very complex files [geometry/images/etc] and thereby getting these issues, or does it always fail, even with the simplest plain geometry box model export/import from your SKP ???
It sounds like it, but you haven't given us a simple, clear answer...

Scuse me... ahem

@drummer said:

Just to see if I could make this any simpler, I loaded SU, did NOTHING AT ALL to ANYTHING, then exported a Collada file. The scene was completely and utterly 100% empty, I didn't add or take away a single thing, I didn't even move the view. Literally all I did was:

1.) Open SU
2.) Export 3D Model (Collada)
3.) Open Poser, AC3D and Blender
4.) Attempt to import to ANY AND ALL OF THESE APPLICATIONS
5.) CRASH

@drummer said:

1.) Open SU
2.) Export 3D Model (Collada)
3.) Open Poser, AC3D and Blender
4.) Attempt to import to ANY AND ALL OF THESE APPLICATIONS
5.) CRASH

@drummer said:

1.) Open SU
2.) Export 3D Model (Collada)
3.) Open Poser, AC3D and Blender
4.) Attempt to import to ANY AND ALL OF THESE APPLICATIONS
5.) CRASH

@tig said:

you haven't given us a simple, clear answer...

@drummer said:

1.) Open SU
2.) Export 3D Model (Collada)
3.) Open Poser, AC3D and Blender
4.) Attempt to import to ANY AND ALL OF THESE APPLICATIONS
5.) CRASH

I'm officially giving up with this useless forum and attempting to find and download one of these plugins that's supposed to export to .obj. If I fail to find such a plugin, or fail to get it to work, I will attempt to find SU Pro for free, so that I may be able to use it for something other than cluttering up my hard drive with. If THAT fails, I shall give up on SU COMPLETELY and never touch it again. I will also let other 3D artists I know see the copies I have of this thread, so as they might become aware of just how terrible this forum's members are at reading what people are posting. The only thing I'm guilty of is not providing files, because THERE ARE NO FILES! Isn't it obvious? If I'm saving a completely and utterly blank file and it's still not working... Y'know what? FORGET IT! Ban me if you want because this forum has given me practically nothing in the way of help. As you so kindly pointed out; you're not Google... No, but some dev team members do come here and it's to those people that I was explicitly directing my queries.

One day, maybe, you'll actually read, word for word, every single post here and realise just how pathetic you've been. I can't do any more than tell you my side of things, which is exactly what I've done, numerous times, but forget it; wipe it out of your minds, it's pointless flogging a dead horse.

Thanks for sod all.

[Rich O Brien]

@unknownuser said:

I loaded SU, did NOTHING AT ALL to ANYTHING, then exported a Collada file. The scene was completely and utterly 100% empty, I didn't add or take away a single thing, I didn't even move the view. Literally all I did was:

1.) Open SU
2.) Export 3D Model (Collada)
3.) Open Poser, AC3D and Blender
4.) Attempt to import to ANY AND ALL OF THESE APPLICATIONS
5.) CRASH

You can't export an empty 3D scene as the menu point is greyed out. So I'm puzzled at how you managed to export? I did export a .dae file and load it in Blender so I think the problem could be either your file or your install.

[flash=800,600:2uv1lfw7]http://www.youtube.com/v/_QR6QK0bd2Q[/flash:2uv1lfw7]

Here's a very good .obj exporter plugin...

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=33448

@unknownuser said:

I will attempt to find SU Pro for free

http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/download/gsup.html

Here's an 8hr trial that'll serve you well to do some tests.

[TIG]

It begs the obvious question, "Why would you ever want to 'export/import' and 'empty file', even if you could?"...
Have you tried to repeat this with a simple 'box' ?
As I have said several times, I can export and use it in AC3D... ANDRich confirms Blender's OK [with complex geometry and texturing to boot], so what are you doing that's is so different ???
If you won't simply give us some non-working example files, then we are prevented from progressing with further investigations - what is wrong with that !? You lack of cooperation is not balanced by your vitriol...
You seem full of too much unjustified anger... that we can't fix your problem - but it might be that you are the problem ?? Help yourself by helping us !

[beginner]

Drummer,
Are you able to post your SU model - PM?
I'm happy to check if I would get the same problem.

[Drummer]

@tig said:

"Why would you ever want to 'export/import' and 'empty file', even if you could?"...

Ooooh, let's see now... Errmm, I've no idea! Maybe just to prove that it's absolutely NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GEOMETRY! Honestly, this is getting boring! Are any of you above 12 years old and, if so, have any of you frequented a little place called 'SCHOOL'?

Rich, you might want to SketchUcate yourself on the workings of SU, because I can, indeed, export an empty scene; you telling me I can't is baffling, because I'm awake and alert when I'm doing it and it is SU I'm using. I PROMISE YOU I'm able to do it, I swear on my life! I guess I could create a tutorial video on how to do it, if you'd like?

Anyhow, all this is irrelevant now because I found a little something out, which none of you seem to have known before... A .KMZ file is actually just a renamed .zip file, and the geometry saved in a .KMZ file is... Wait for it... drumroll .DAE! All you need to do is rename the .KMZ to a .ZIP, open it, extract the geometry and textures, if applicable and Bob's your Uncle! Oh, and YES, THESE .DAE FILES IMPORT FINE FOR ME, IN EVERY OTHER APPLICATION!!! More proof that it's SU doing the dirty and not all of my other apps, also proof that it's nothing to do with geometries (as if it could be, when I've had the same rotten luck with an empty scene), because I'm using exactly the same .SKP files I was having trouble with before. So, if anyone even dares to try and tell me it's the geometries, or my other apps, or me failing at life or what ever else you want to throw at me; you might want to take a moment of your time to consider that it might just be SketchUp!

Thankyou to all those who have tried to help, and also to all those who have offered to help, you've shown that this forum isn't completely full of unhelpful people after all!

Right, time to get on with life!

[Rich O Brien]

@unknownuser said:

I guess I could create a tutorial video on how to do it, if you'd like?

Please do...

[TIG]

Drummer

You really are full of crap!

We ARE trying to help you.
BUT
You have given us nothing that we asked for, which might just help us help you.

Now you blatantly insult us.
Do you really suspect that mods/admins at SCF have NO experience of using these tools...
Get a life! You seem so far up your own arse that you have no concept of reality ...

You NEVER 'show' us how Sketchup is failing... only you tell us how YOU are failing to use it, as you expect [which might not be how it's intended - but we have insufficient information - probably because you can't get your head out of your arse !].

Sketchup IS NOT perfect... BUT none of us are having your issues in exporting/importing files... seemingly in the exact same ways that you are attempting...
It might be at fault BUT you've not demonstrated it to the rest of us !
SO IT STANDS TO REASON THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING WORKS, AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING DOESN'T WORK.
So what IS the difference ?

Don't tell me you are doing it right and it's broken!
We can 'do it right' and it's NOT broken.
IPSO FACTO QUOD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM: you have the error - we don't. SO let's find what's up with 'YOU'...

So rather than insult us why no listen and perhaps [just perhaps] learn something?

You really are a self-opinionated twat, who doesn't seem to want to learn, but you only complain - never learn...

I'll now step out of all of this... I can't work with you any further... perhaps some other idiots in the team might try to help you... but that'll only ever happen if you get near helping yourself...

PS: KMZ are zip files doh!... you mean just like SKM, RBZ, Layout and Style files etc - you really think we are amateurs at this ???

[beginner]

Amen...

[Drummer]

@rich o brien said:

@unknownuser said:

I guess I could create a tutorial video on how to do it, if you'd like?

Please do...

I was afraid you'd say that, and I don't have Fraps, so you'll have to give me a bit of time. I know you won't accept screenies, because, for all you know, there IS geometry in there.

Tig, who's saying anything about you working with me or helping me? I don't want your help, I don't want anyone's help now, because (did you notice, or is there too much red mist in front of your face?) I'VE FIGURED IT OUT! Besides, I'd never come to this place for help again, because you don't even understand what I'm saying to you, so how can you help? Yes, I know you were telling me to upload a file for you to look at and all that malarky, and I know I didn't and oh, what a douche I am for not doing so
I asked if there was a common plugin or what ever that's used for collada exporting AND something else, so that I may check it and see if it needed updating, but nobody said owt about that, did they?

Also, the fact that none of you appeared to know anything about the kmz files being glorified zips just goes to prove that, unless you withheld that information, you don't know as much as you'd like to think you do on here.

Your language, Tig, has degenerated into insulting and foul language, which further proves your immaturity. You tell me to get a life, purely based on the fact that I've called you out on how hopelessly unhelpful and stupid you've been? That just makes no sense! Telling a guy who does nothing but sit at his computer all day fapping over Japanese toon porn to get a life would make sense, but in the context of this argument, it does not. Get some sense! For a moderator, you're pretty damn useless, if I may be so bold as to say so!

Yes, I'm an up-myself, sarcastic, obnoxious little gremlin who nobody loves... You appear to fail in seeing the obvious fact that I give ~0 shits at all about that or what YOU, sir, think of me!

Honestly, though; have you never heard of 'troubleshooting'? How can you not understand why I'd attempt to export an empty file, if one of the problems could be something contained in said file? The reason is; if there's nothing in there, that can't be the problem, now can it? Sorry, did you dribble a bit then? Here, let me help you with that... wipes Tig's chin

Honestly, I've got a ton of people all over the internet, laughing at this thread right now, because the sheer level of drippy-dicked retards in here is mind-blowing, it really is! Maybe I'll even make another "I can't suffer idiots very well" vlog and base it on this experience, because it really has shocked me that some of you people are actually alive and haven't died due to sleep deprivation. Do you guys actually go to sleep at night, or do you forget, because you already think you're asleep? Do you need your bums wiping for you after you go potty?

I don't think I've ever seen such a fail as this, really I haven't!

Good luck folks, in what ever you do... Especially if that entails learning anything anyone ever tells you. Peace and love to all; peace and love!

@tig said:

PS: KMZ are zips doh!... just like SKM, Layout and Style files etc - you really think we are amateurs at this ???

Never thought to disclose such information then, huh? Ladies, Gentlemen; BEHOLD... INTELLIGENCE! APPLAUSE

@tig said:

We ARE trying...
Heh, yes, Tig, you are... Very! XD

[Rich O Brien]

Use Screenr.com to capture the export process on an empty file.

Also have the following dialogs open....

Window > Model Info > Statistics

Window > Entity Info

Window > Layers

Hit CTRL + A at the start of the screen capture to make sure any erroneous geometry that shouldn't be there gets selected and it will show up on these dialogs.

If nothing is displayed in the dialogs proceed to export this proven empty scene as Collada.

Renaming a .kmz as zip to extract still doesn't address the issue you are having with the Collada exporter so this for me is more important to address.