[Plugin] Parametric Modeling - v0.0.7 - 03 June 2021

samuel_t

What's new in 0.0.5 version?

"Align" and "Get points" nodes types were added. They can help you, for example, to place an entity on top of another one. See new schema: Pencil.
"Copy" and "Move" nodes have evolved a bit. They're retrocompatible.
When you input a decimal number in a node, scale of number defines step for next increment (or decrement). This means if you input 1.25, next increment will be 1.26. Step is adaptive... See documentation to learn more.
Arrows icons in numeric fields were removed because they were too buggy. You can still use keyboard arrows to increment (or decrement).
You can use deg function in "Calculate" nodes to convert degrees to radians... See documentation to learn more.
Selected wire is highlighted.
Plugin was translated to french.

Download latest Parametric Modeling plugin from the SketchUcation PluginStore.

alotharian

Hi Samuel,
Excellent plugin. Having played with it a little (creating a dynamically resizable cabinet) I got some feature suggestions:

Navigating in the Node Editor: Currently the Left Mouse button is used to move a node, or move the whole scene (when clicking outside of a node). In a busy screen it would be helpful to have a separate button for the scene moving, e.g. the Middle Mouse Button
Variable names: In a complex editor screen with plenty of nodes and connecting lines it is difficult to find the source of a connected variable. So, when a variable got connected it would be excellent to see the name of the source beside Variable X (even if the long ones wrapped).
Cancelling a node placement: Clicking on a node icon AFAIK, now we must place the node and then delete if it was accidental or wrong. It would be nice to have the cancelling feature by hitting the ESCape.

Thanks for your awesome work.
regards,
Rian

samuel_t

Simon Joubert created a great schema that makes use of latest evolutions of "Move" node.

You can download it here. Right-click. Save link as...

tavuro

Excellent plugin. A suggestion, you need a list box to enter text and be able to select the options. Thanks

patriarch

Nice useful plugin. There are several questions. Is it possible to add components that exist in the model to an assembly? And is it possible to insert lines and planes, profiles? Can I create components instead of groups? And it would also be nice to have the function of renaming existing groups.

samuel_t

@patriarch said:

Nice useful plugin.

I'm glad to hear that

@patriarch said:

Can I create components instead of groups? Is it possible to add components that exist in the model to an assembly?

You can only do parametric operations on a parametric group but you can copy a regular component that exists in model and paste it as a parametric group. To do so: right click on a component in main SketchUp window and select "Parametric Modeling > Extract Shape From Group Or Component".

You can also convert a parametric group to a regular group. To do so: right click in void inside Nodes Editor and select "Freeze parametric entities". Then, convert it to a regular component in main SketchUp window.

@patriarch said:

And is it possible to insert lines and planes, profiles?

Yes. Right click on lines in main SketchUp window and select "Parametric Modeling > Extract Shape From Curve Or Edges".

@patriarch said:

And it would also be nice to have the function of renaming existing groups.

You can rename parametric groups inside Nodes Editor. For regular groups, you can use "Outliner".

WhiteShadow

https://imgur.com/gallery/0xpWNnO

I have to make those snake skin like things, any idea how to do it?

Mariotalluto

Absolutely amazing plugin ! Thanks for make it free

Looking for some example/tutorial cause i am completly lost. I want to create basic paramtric building (volume + balcony),but can't find the way to do it

Thanks !

samuel_t

@whiteshadow said:

https://imgur.com/gallery/0xpWNnO

I have to make those snake skin like things, any idea how to do it?

Sorry for the late reply. It's maybe possible to model this "Snake Skin". Here's an hypothetical plan:

Download Tiling.schema. Make sure downloaded file ends with ".schema", not ".txt".
Open Nodes Editor.
Right click in void to display context menu… Click on "Import schema from a file". Select "Tiling.schema".
Design elementary shape with SketchUp native tools or other plugins. Let's call this shape a "Tile".
Make a "Tile" component. Right click on this component in main SketchUp window. Select "Parametric Modeling > Extract Shape From Group Or Component". "Tile" appears as "Draw shape" in Nodes Editor.
Replace "Draw box" node with "Draw shape" node. Connect "Draw shape" with other nodes.
Use "Copy" node(s) with "X/Y/Z Position" formula(s) to spread "Tile/Draw shape" in 3D space.

samuel_t

@mariotalluto said:

Absolutely amazing plugin ! Thanks for make it free

Thanks for your feedback!

@mariotalluto said:

Looking for some example/tutorial cause i am completly lost. I want to create basic paramtric building (volume + balcony),but can't find the way to do it

There are videos available on YouTube but it's more a plugin overview... I recommend you to import examples: Open the Nodes Editor. Right click in void to display context menu… Click on "Import schema from a file". Select a ".schema" file. Study how nodes are filled and connected. There is also a Wiki.

Traupmann

Some of the supplied schemas require particular models for them to be expanded correctly. Can you please provide those models?

I have been using Parametric Modeling for a while. I find it very useful in solving some problems. I hope you are continuing the effort.

samuel_t

@traupmann said:

Some of the supplied schemas require particular models for them to be expanded correctly. Can you please provide those models?

When you export a parametric schema, everything visible in the Nodes Editor is stored in the .schema file, even custom shapes (extracted from SketchUp viewport).

A parametric schema can be exported from a model then imported in another model, without geometry loss. The only things not embedded in .schema files are materials textures.

Traupmann

Perhaps I am doing something wrong. I started with a blank (new) Sketchup model, then use Parametric Modeling to Import a Schema. I get the Schema, but not any structures of any sort in the model space.

Here are screenshots of the Decking On Pedestals.schema.

samuel_t

@traupmann said:

Here are screenshots of the Decking On Pedestals.schema.

I don't see your screenshots. Did you forget to attach them?

samuel_t

@traupmann said:

I started with a blank (new) Sketchup model, then use Parametric Modeling to Import a Schema. I get the Schema, but not any structures of any sort in the model space.

Maybe an error is occurring in background. Can you try to:

Open the Nodes Editor.
Open the SketchUp console.
Import a .schema file in the Nodes Editor.
Execute this code in the SketchUp console:

ParametricModeling;;ParametricEntities.redraw

Report the error here?

Traupmann

@unknownuser said:

Execute this code in the SketchUp console:
CODE: SELECT ALL
ParametricModeling::ParametricEntities.redraw

Excuse my ignorance, but by Sketchup Console do you mean Ruby Console?
if so, an error report is in the text file below.

I have included the SketchUp file as I attempted to execute it.

Ruby Console Error Message.txt

SketchUp File.skp

samuel_t

@traupmann said:

[...] by Sketchup Console do you mean Ruby Console?
if so, an error report is in the text file below.

Yes, I meant the Ruby Console Thanks for the error log. I suspect a conflict between Layers Organizer and Parametric Modeling plugins. Can you try to:

Disable temporarily Layers Organizer plugin.
Restart SketchUp.
Import again a schema in the Nodes Editor?

Traupmann

The disabling of the Layer Organizer worked for all of the provided schemas but two. The files are below.

Decking on Pedastals Results.skp
Curved Shelf Result.skp

Here is a schema I developed
Arch.skp

Can you advise how to pass schema files?

manyakteam

Hello. This is an amazing tool for me. It has immense potential. I am a lecturer and I teach this plugin to my students, especially. Know it is currently under development, so I think you will consider my suggestions.

All my problems are with nodes First, it would be great if they could be locked, grouped, and ungrouped with a right-click option.

The undo and redo shortcuts do not work as I expected. For example, when I accidentally add a box to a crowded node screen, the "ctrl+c" combination does something else instead of removing it.

Especially in complex jobs, nodes get mixed up. To prevent this situation, you can add icons that can be personalized (such as color, geometric shape) on the upper right corners of the nodes.

Finally, if windows run in tabs, you will have done an excellent job of efficiency. My English isn't very good, but I wanted to congratulate you and give you an idea of what I think can be improved. Wish I knew a little bit of coding and could help you. Respects

samuel_t

@unknownuser said:

Hello. This is an amazing tool for me. I am a lecturer and I teach this plugin to my students, especially.

Hello. This kind of feedback makes me very happy! It's one of the reasons I code and share plugins.

@unknownuser said:

It has immense potential.

A lot of things are not documented. Parametric Modeling plugin Wiki really deserves some love

@unknownuser said:

Know it is currently under development, so I think you will consider my suggestions.

To be honest, the developement of this plugin is in stand-by. I'm busy by other projects. That's said, suggestions are always welcome

@unknownuser said:

All my problems are with nodes First, it would be great if they could be locked, grouped, and ungrouped with a right-click option.

This sounds not "easy", but a must-have option! I agree.
About organization, one can add "Post-it" nodes. Right-click in void then choose "Add a comment node".

@unknownuser said:

The undo and redo shortcuts do not work as I expected. For example, when I accidentally add a box to a crowded node screen, the "ctrl+c" combination does something else instead of removing it.

Try to press "Escape" to cancel... If it's too late: right-click on the node then choose "Remove this node".

@unknownuser said:

Especially in complex jobs, nodes get mixed up. To prevent this situation, you can add icons that can be personalized (such as color, geometric shape) on the upper right corners of the nodes.

Yes, I could add more visual landmarks. I note your idea.

@unknownuser said: