Can't see Plugins - I know: Not again!!!!

Bob James

BugSplats?
Did you submit those? If so, did you enter any description we can use to look it up? If you didn't, can you try again?

Yes, but I'll do it again.

Did it

I said this in the explanation
"Attempting to install extension into SU 2014 Pro on Win8"

Bob James

I have always used a symbolic link for plugins, components, etc. to assure I have the same choices on all the machines I use. Doesn't work for SU 2014 on Win 8.
When I copied the actual plugin folder from Dropbox to SU it worked fine.

Bummer about symbolic links.

Thank you both for your help

Dave R

So you've got it sorted? That's good.

Why don't you just make a bundle of plugins using the SCF Plugin Store and use that to keep all your machines up to date?

Box

Bob, not mentioning that you were using a symbolic link would seem to be a rather crucial bit of info.
Your real issue here is not that your plugins aren't working but that the symbolic link isn't working.
Perhaps someone has a solution for that.

tt_su

Can you describe exactly how you set up the symbolic links?
The BugSplats disappeared when you removed the symlink?

Bob James

@tt_su said:

Can you describe exactly how you set up the symbolic links?
The BugSplats disappeared when you removed the symlink?

Went to Dropbox and picked link source
Renamed original plugins folder to Plugins-original
Dropped as symbolic link in C:\Users\Robert\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp\2014\SketchUp
That was the configuration that did not work so I deleted the link and copied my backup folder of plugins to replace the link folder and that allowed the plugins folder to appear and also load plugins from SketchUcation

Bob James

@box said:

Bob, not mentioning that you were using a symbolic link would seem to be a rather crucial bit of info.
Your real issue here is not that your plugins aren't working but that the symbolic link isn't working.
Perhaps someone has a solution for that.

Since that is how I've always done it, it never occurred to me to mention it. Sorry.

Bob James

@dave r said:

So you've got it sorted? That's good.

Why don't you just make a bundle of plugins using the SCF Plugin Store and use that to keep all your machines up to date?

Don't know how to do that - never had the occasion to learn.

Bob James

Since, for some reason, I can't get symbolic links to work with SU 2014 plugin, components and materials folders, I need some alternative (at least for plugins). SketchUcation Bundles seem to be the answer (except there is no synchronization to one folder on, say, Dropbox).

I assume that Bundles puts each machine's plugins in the cloud, but only those plugins in the default folder [C:\Users\jamesb\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2014\SketchUp\Plugins]. To minimize the files on my drive (an SSD), I use Fredo6's Additional Plugin folder on Dropbox for most of my plugins, but many plugins/extensions don't work unless they are installed in the default folder.

I have three computers: work, home and laptop. Currently, each has a different bundle. How do I get all bundles loaded with the same plugins. If I'm on my home machine do I click on the Work machine's bundle icon for "autoinstall all plugins in the bundle" (after assuring that work machine has all the plugins that must be loaded in the default folder)?
1. If I add a new plugin to one computer is there a way to update the other computers for just that new plugin or do I have to reinstall all the plugins and extensions?
2. How do I tailor a bundle? I tried clicking on individual plugins in the bundle list to delete them, but that doesn't work.

maxhouserocks

so...2014 wont read symbolic links?? im pretty sure i have the link setup correctly but SU is not finding any plugins.

what exactly is the "SCF Plugin Store" ?

thanks,
bob

Dave R

@maxhouserocks said:

so...2014 wont read symbolic links?? im pretty sure i have the link setup correctly but SU is not finding any plugins.

what exactly is the "SCF Plugin Store" ?

thanks,
bob

Click on the button at the top right corner of the forum page.

maxhouserocks

ah yes, of course. So i can use that plugin to sync different pc's plugins just by installing and logging in?

Dave R

@maxhouserocks said:

ah yes, of course. So i can use that plugin to sync different pc's plugins just by installing and logging in?

well, yeah, that too. And it gives you access to hundreds of plugins and automatically installs them.

maxhouserocks

Oh My, i must need a vacation. Just realized we were discussing this not too long ago! Sorry about that.

The key issue for me was this clarification:

@box said:

One small thing to note, Plugins from other sources won't be included in Bundles. It can only recognize ones you have downloaded through the Sketchcation tool.

You'll find a handy tutorial for bundles here.
http://sketchucation.com/resources/tutorials/beginner/1147-use-pluginstore-bundles-to-sync-your-extensions-in-sketchup

full thread here.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15%26amp;t=59421%26amp;p=540740#p540740

Thanks AGAIN, Dave

bob

Dave R

Happy you've got it all worked out now.

Vacation? OK. Take the next two weeks off and relax. Enjoy yourself. You can have a raise, too.

maxhouserocks

well, it is not worked out yet... so far SU2014 not recognizing the symbolic link for some reason. i am working through the details in another thread and will post back to here with the link.

And thank you for the raise and vacation time. i am telling my principals that i am leaving now as per your authority. I'm sure it will work out well!! You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar!

bob

@dave r said:

Happy you've got it all worked out now.

Vacation? OK. Take the next two weeks off and relax. Enjoy yourself. You can have a raise, too.

maxhouserocks

wow. there are several threads on this issue now and i just realized i never posted my solution to using dropbox as a source for plugins to enable synchronization between multiple machines.

I figured it out shortly after our conversation here, so thanks again guys!

THE COMMAND THAT WORKED FOR ME in cmd.exe

mklink /J "C:\Users\rachristman\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2014\SketchUp\plugins" "D:\Dropbox\SketchUp Resources_SU Plugins\Plugins"

I am not sure if /D did not work because i was linking from to d: but the /J did the trick. FULLY OPERATIONAL mklink, directory junction, is reading the plugins folder from my drop box as soon as i open Sketchup 2014.

THE PROCESS:
i had "successfully" created a symbolic link in cmd using mklink, however the tutorial thread i used had differing syntax. it took a while to determine that i had to use BOTH the existing path AND the new path in the mklink command as well as using "" around the paths. this was not mentioned in this post:
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15%26amp;t=40866 (this post did not work for me)

so i found some other references concerning the syntax:
http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/149054-symbolic-folder-linking.html

i will also share the info i came across while attempting this

windows file junctions and symbolic links:
http://devtidbits.com/2009/09/07/windows-file-junctions-symbolic-links-and-hard-links/

Symbolic folder linking - Windows 7 Help Forums

Hello, I need a bit of help with creating a symbolic link between two folders. I tried mklink but it gives me incorrect syntax error. In windows 7 of course. I have one empty folder, C:\\link\\empty f

(www.sevenforums.com)

links description:
http://devtidbits.com/2009/09/07/windows-file-junctions-symbolic-links-and-hard-links/

syncronize two windows folders in real time:
http://superuser.com/questions/65524/how-do-i-synchronise-two-folders-in-real-time-in-windows-7

Bob James

I used to use a similar process using shell extension whereby I chose the Dropbox plugin folder as the "link source" and dropped it into SU as a "symblolic link". This did not require and cmd input. Worked like a charm until SU 2014/2015 and now, for some reason, symbolic links no longer work. Maybe it has something to do with the SU plugin folder being in a different location.

In addition SketchUcation came up with the sketchUcloud to replace the bundle approach, but I've been unsuccessful in getting someone to describe the process of setting that up.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=372%26amp;t=59539

maxhouserocks

sketchucloud sounds interesting. i hope it comes to light soon. my only question about the bundle was would it work with scripts from other sources. a while back the answer was no. maybe this new approach addresses that.

thanks,
bob

Rich O Brien

@bob james said:

In addition SketchUcation came up with the sketchUcloud to replace the bundle approach, but I've been unsuccessful in getting someone to describe the process of setting that up.

Image 1.png

It uses the same methos as Fredo's Additional Folders to define where plugins are installed and synced.

As long as the sketchucloud client installed on any machine has the same plugins location setup they will sync.

Image 2.png

You need to use the cloud install to tell the PluginStore to send that install to your cloud directory.