[Plugin] Snapshot – (1.0.1) — updated 09.10.2012

Aerilius

It now works also in SketchUp 7 (there was a very small error that prevented that completely). The toolbars can only be changed when SketchUp is opened again (we cannot do anything about that).

@glro said:

An extension to the plugin might be a button that would open a specific file browser (like Xnview) and by looking through the thumbnails, would open the sketchup model by clicking on the thumbnail

That would require to know from a thumbnail's name where the skp file is located, but it's difficult if all thumbnails are in the same folder. Better would be to integrate the large thumbnails in the operating system's thumbnail system (but I don't know how to do that on Windows, as far as I understand it would require C programming).

@simon le bon said:

The "save the name-1" is less evident. Previously I thought it was adding at the end of the file name a decrementation -1 -2 -3 etc..

Sorry, I had understood it would decrease the number (to redo older images). So instead of a minus button, you would prefer something like "increase primary version number" and "secondary version number"?

@simon le bon said:

What I can regret is that this "Save a copy as" doesn't generates a Snapshot when Autosave is checked.

That would be good! Unfortunately the SketchUp Ruby API tells us only what model is saved, not where. So I can get the location of the working model, not of "Save as". Good request for a next SketchUp version!
Tell me when you find out more about the "The foxy method"...

driven

Works on mac,

to attach to the skp file...
Take your picture,
then >> right-click on the SU title >> select the containing folder >> select the new png >> right-click >> services >> create icon and preview [need GraphicConverter installed] >> click on same_name.skp >> right click >> more info >> drag the same_name.png icon onto the more info box icon [top left] >> close more info.

enjoy in coverflow.
john

glro

thumbnails must all be in the same folder, to create a data base from which the user can search for a skp file

C, or java programming would be needed, yes; to create a special file browser hat would add a meta data (the link to the skp file)

Xnview can add meta dat, but the link tothe file is not active

meta data xnview

glro

@aerilius said:

@glro said:

An extension to the plugin might be a button that would open a specific file browser (like Xnview) and by looking through the thumbnails, would open the sketchup model by clicking on the thumbnail

That would require to know from a thumbnail's name where the skp file is located, but it's difficult if all thumbnails are in the same folder. Better would be to integrate the large thumbnails in the operating system's thumbnail system (but I don't know how to do that on Windows, as far as I understand it would require C programming).
...

maybe just a shortcut to the skp file, created by the pluging when the picture is taken, and stored in the same folder
is it possible to create a shortcut to a file using ruby?

Aerilius

@driven said:

Works on mac

Great! I think there was once a discussion about integrate better thumbnails on OS X, as far as I remember that would require XCode and Objective C (?). I couldn't do it and can't test it.
If GraphicsConverter has a command line interface, that would make it much easier!

@glro said:

C, or java programming would be needed, yes; to create a special file browser hat would add a meta data (the link to the skp file)

That would be almost reinventing the wheel . I would prefer using the system's thumbnailing (Windows Vista+ uses a thumbnail folder and a database). We would need to register a thumbnail to the database. As far as I know, there are only APIs for C(++, # ...) and I have not enough experience. I will see if someone else can help me, or if we can get equivalent improvements into SketchUp.

@glro said:

is it possible to create a shortcut to a file using ruby?

That might be a the easiest solution! I'll try it!

ken

Aerilius

Would it be possible to make the selection to save, such that I can save in a "custom folder" and the "same Folder as skp" at the same time. This way I would have the master png's in my custom folder and work related png's at the skp's folder.

If I know the work related folder, I would just browse at that location, if I wasn't sure or was looking for something that I haven't worked on for some time, I could go to the custom folder.

Also, I could print out a contact sheet for the custom folder for a hard copy.

So this morning, I have been opening and saving skp files to get my master folder up to date.

Thank you for this very helpful plugin.

Ken

driven

@aerilius said:

If GraphicsConverter has a command line interface, that would make it much easier!

It does, and it's free[if your scint], you can also use it to extract the SU thumbnails from the .skp, but it's a bit random when Sketchup saves that, unless you want the silly 'styled' frame you get with 'save thumbnail'

I'll dig out the command line flags. an applescript wrapper might swap the icons...

john

bagatelo

There should be an option to enter the date and time automatically in the file name.
Thanks for this great tool.

glro

@aerilius said:

@driven said:

Works on mac

Great! I think there was once a discussion about integrate better thumbnails on OS X, as far as I remember that would require XCode and Objective C (?). I couldn't do it and can't test it.
If GraphicsConverter has a command line interface, that would make it much easier!

@glro said:

C, or java programming would be needed, yes; to create a special file browser hat would add a meta data (the link to the skp file)

That would be almost reinventing the wheel . I would prefer using the system's thumbnailing (Windows Vista+ uses a thumbnail folder and a database). We would need to register a thumbnail to the database. As far as I know, there are only APIs for C(++, # ...) and I have not enough experience. I will see if someone else can help me, or if we can get equivalent improvements into SketchUp.

@glro said:

is it possible to create a shortcut to a file using ruby?

That might be a the easiest solution! I'll try it!

There is a simple way: creating a batch file, for example:
"@ECHO OFF
call F:\000_experience.sauvb\programmation\ruby\essai_plateforme.skp
end"

this opens the console
to avoid opening the console, write a second file

"var WindowStyle_Hidden = 0
var objShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
var result = objShell.Run("cmd.exe /c shortcut.bat", WindowStyle_Hidden)"

both are text files, easy to write in ruby...

simon le bon

@aerilius said:

It now works also in SketchUp 7

That's great

@aerilius said:

@simon le bon said:

The "save the name-1" is less evident. Previously I thought it was adding at the end of the file name a decrementation -1 -2 -3 etc..

Sorry, I had understood it would decrease the number (to redo older images). So instead of a minus button, you would prefer something like "increase primary version number" and "secondary version number"?

It seems to me that "save the name+1" already "increase secondary version number"

nameFile_000.skp
when it is saved gives: (autosave checked)
nameFile_000.png
"save the name+1" become:
nameFile_0001.png
nameFile_0002.png
nameFile_0003.png
...

nameFile_001.skp
when it is saved gives:
nameFile_001.png
& "save the name+1" become:
nameFile_0011.png
nameFile_0012.png
nameFile_0013.png

That's not bad to consider snapshots incrementation.

@unknownuser said:

it would decrease the number (to redo older images)

Redo older image is not (IMO) a very necessary option. And in facts don't work pretty good.
If you have a png set made with "save the name+1"
nameFile_0001.png
nameFile_0002.png
nameFile_0003.png
Then you want to redo basically the last one: nameFile_0003.png , if you use "save the name-1" It is nameFile_0002.png that is overwrited !!

May be only one button would be necessary which would make a clear proper incrementation:

nameFile_001.skp
when saved gives:
nameFile_001.png
& "save the name + increment"
nameFile_001_001.png
nameFile_001_002.png
nameFile_001_003.png

Just idea (as Jean Lemire always says )

Simon

PS:
_ Sorry that "save a copy as" can't autosave a snapshot. We can take few seconds to save the snapshot name manually after all.
_ "The foxy method" is lost for me. I have tried with the search engine in vain. May be Gaieus knows something about it!

glro

@aerilius said:

@driven said:

@glro said:

is it possible to create a shortcut to a file using ruby?

That might be a the easiest solution! I'll try it!

i added some code to yours at the end of "self.save_as(filepath)" method


filepath2 = (filepath.split("/")[0..-2]).join("/")
nom_model = m.title
# name of the text file to put the shortcut in
nom_bat = filepath2 + "/" + nom_model + ".bat"
	
#open this file
aFile = File.new(nom_bat,"w")

pathmodel = m.path

#write the file shortcut
aFile.puts("call "+pathmodel)
aFile.puts("end")
aFile.close

a black cmd window is opened... must be closed manually, unless you embed the .bat file in a .js file...
it is basic but it works...

simon le bon

Sorry to disturb the coding discussion

Ae_Snapshot tested with Su7 : love this plug
(Png transparent background option still don't work - - )

simonlebon

Aerilius

I forgot to mention: the transparent png option has only been added to SketchUp 8.
I'm working on a new version!

glro

@glro said:

@aerilius said:

@driven said:

@glro said:

is it possible to create a shortcut to a file using ruby?

That might be a the easiest solution! I'll try it!

i added some code to yours at the end of "self.save_as(filepath)" method


> filepath2 = (filepath.split("/")[0..-2]).join("/")
> nom_model = m.title
> # name of the text file to put the shortcut in
> nom_bat = filepath2 + "/" + nom_model + ".bat"
> 	
> #open this file
> aFile = File.new(nom_bat,"w")
> 
> pathmodel = m.path
> 
> #write the file shortcut
> aFile.puts("call "+pathmodel)
> aFile.puts("end")
> aFile.close
>

a black cmd window is opened... must be closed manually, unless you embed the .bat file in a .js file...
it is basic but it works...

Doesn't work if there is a white space in the file address

additional code is needed


nom_bat2 = nom_bat.to_s

if nom_bat2.count(nom_bat2, " ") != 0
UI.messagebox("no white space in the file address")
fail
end

Aerilius

I updated the plugin. I think it will now fit all your needs because you can now make your own buttons
@glro, can you test if the shortcuts work as expected?

glro

@aerilius said:

I updated the plugin. I think it will now fit all your needs because you can now make your own buttons
@glro, can you test if the shortcuts work as expected?

i tested, but there might be a problem

no box is opened on my scree when i check "ae snapshot" in the menu

it might come from the html file

in the pop up windows you show in the first message of this thread, i read "create a shortcut"

but when i click on the html file in "ae_snapshot" folder, i don't see the same things

html settings differences

Aerilius

I first thought it might have to do with upgrading the settings (because the previous version is much different). But I just tested it from 0.1.1 to 0.3.0 and it works for me.

You mean the settings dialog does not appear when you click the gear icon on the toolbar (there is no ae snapshot menu). Can you open the Ruby Console, click the gear button and give me the error messages if there are any.
Then copy&paste " AE::Snapshot.options={}" into the console and press the gear button again. Does it then work?

glro

@aerilius said:

I first thought it might have to do with upgrading the settings (because the previous version is much different). But I just tested it from 0.1.1 to 0.3.0 and it works for me.

You mean the settings dialog does not appear when you click the gear icon on the toolbar (there is no ae snapshot menu). Can you open the Ruby Console, click the gear button and give me the error messages if there are any.
Then copy&paste " AE::Snapshot.options={}" into the console and press the gear button again. Does it then work?

yes, the setting dialog does not appear;
the gear icon does'nt appear either...
just a small reactangle where i cannot click ...

how do you explain the differences between the setting dialog window i get when i double click directly on the file "settings_dialog.htm" and the one you pasted in you message?

my guess is that it is linked to the problem

snapshot icon

srx

Very useful! Thank you very much.

Aerilius

@glro: Does " Sketchup.write_default("Plugins_ae", "Snapshot", "{}")" on the Ruby Console and restarting help?
(There are no relevant differences in the htm file.)
(By the way, you don't need quote the message, I know it's on the same page one above )