[Plugin] Axyz - v1.1a - 8 June 24

[Rich O Brien]

Further Information and usage instructions on Axyz is available here

Requirements

• LibFredo6: v14.5 or above Download Libfredo
• Sketchucation Tools v4.4.1 or above Download Sketchucation Tools
• SketchUp 2017 and above
• Platform: Windows and Mac OSX
• Licensed under Sketchucation SCFLicense (Free)

Overview

Perform transformation on selected objects with a Widget: Translation, Rotation, Scaling, Mirror

• Manipulates Guides, Edges, Faces, Images, Groups and Components
• Position Widget in the model by a simple Click or inferencing
• Transformation (translation, rotation, scaling, mirror) by Click-Drag on a widget handles
• Post-transformation adjustments via VCB and modifiers (copy and multiples, distance, angle, scale factors)

Documentation

Help is integrated in the extension, as a Quick Card.

Link to YouTube Playlist

Keybindings

TAB to cycle transformations
ALT to cycle global, local or current context axes
SHIFT to cycle individual centers
CTRL to cycle copy mode
ARROW to cycle nudge mode

Have fun!

Release Notes

1.1a - Fixed the issue of Divide (ex: 3/) for Rotation

[Rich O Brien]

Axyz is a joint project between myself and @fredo6

[massimo]

@Rich-O-Brien Well done guys.

[emmearch]

Hey, this plugin looks really great. I Immediately tried it out.

It's missing a key feature (unless I missed something): while using the move tool, I can't snap the selection to other geometry elements. This makes it difficult to have precise translations

[rv1974]

Very nice thanks for sharing, hope Ahmed will make some video..
Pressing Ctrl (for copy) or Ctrl+Shift when moving objects crashes SU to desktop 100% (Win 11, SU 23)
P.S. It'd be nice if the plugin would remember the last used mode (local). Some easy 90 degree rotating mode would be great addition too.

[Rich O Brien]

@rv1974 Ahmed?

[fredo6]

@Rich-O-Brien
This is TutorialsUp

[rv1974]

I guess I found the reason why it crashes while copying or changing the mode with Shift key:
If I select all the instances (even the ones inserted in other contexts) of a given component with the help of attached script:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jDzI4oLmMRXCrZbLmb52X-zLF3FpgWIG/view?usp=sharing
(once installed found at: Edit\Item\Instances\Select all)
the plugin will crash SU . Would it be possible to make Axyz's copying to respect out-of-context selections?

P.S. Could anybody clarify those definitions please:

• Individual by Reference (Shift) [default]: by ratio of position of the Widget in the object under the Widget
• Individual Centers (Ctrl-Shift): barycenter of each object

P.P.S. Drag 'n' drop rb and zip files into reply field is not working

[Rich O Brien]

@rv1974 said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

Individual by Reference (Shift) [default]: by ratio of position of the Widget in the object under the Widget

The pick point for the widget will use its orientation to reference transformations.

Axyz will consider the the underlying object's orientation when you place the widget on an object. This is signified by it's muted colors as compared to free space placement where the widget's colors are more conventional.

This allows you to transform objects at global or local levels. You can switch from local to global using ALT.

Below is an example where I place the widget to the face of a group. I toggle Individual by Reference Mode and all in the selection will now transform about this pick point.

If I switch to Individual Center mode then the transformation will be about the barycenter of each object.

[rv1974]

@Rich-O-Brien
Thanks for explanation! For some reason Ctrl+Shift shortcut is not working on my end plus its impossible to put V next to Individual Centers option in right click menu. Thats why I had difficulties to understand what this option does
In many situations the gizmo looks is extremely confusing. This is what it looks like after local Z rotation: red arch is completely gone, blue one turned to orange and got extended.. I wish it could look closer to the boring normative and predictable industry standard:

[Rich O Brien]

@rv1974 said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

For some reason Ctrl+Shift shortcut is not working

Its also available via context menu if the keyboard shortcut is proving difficult to fire

@rv1974 said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

its impossible to put V next to Individual Centers option in right click menu

I don't understand this sentence

@rv1974 said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

the gizmo looks is extremely confusing

Use ESC to reset and continue transformations when widget begins to devolve

[rv1974]

@Rich-O-Brien said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

Its also available via context menu if the keyboard shortcut is proving difficult to fire
I don't understand this sentence
once being enabled via context menu, it still has no check mark (V) in the beginning of the corresponding line

[rv1974]

@Rich-O-Brien Regading nudging via arrow keys.. Currently it nudges randomly (approx. 0.3-0.5 cm) Is it possible to add some option for setting exact nudge value via VCB ( say typing n10 would set it to 10 units)?

[Rich O Brien]

@rv1974 said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

it still has no check mark (V) in the beginning of the corresponding line

Ruby console output if you click it?

@rv1974 said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

Currently it nudges randomly (approx. 0.3-0.5 cm)

Translation nudging is pixel based

• Normal: 10 pixels
• Slow[ALT]: 2 pixels
• Fast[SHIFT}t: 20 pixels

We did discuss adding an option in the Settings dialog to add user control over values. I'll make a note of it.

Axyz' intent to give you artistic control over transformations. Not really a precision design tool. You can leverage precision via VCB input. But its main intent is to offer an easier path to transforms.

[rv1974]

@Rich-O-Brien said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

Ruby console output if you click it?

nothing:

IMHO If the user selects any of AXYZ tools its logical to see the gizmo right from the beginning (based on previous settings); currently even if you set it to individual-center the extra click is still needed.

>>Translation nudging is pixel based
it's better then say decibels, but file units would be even more awesome
Here are some other areas where some polishing might be nice:
Sometimes it arbitrarily decides its a good idea to start copying:

I find it very confusing when staying in individual mode and clicking on it in the RCM for a 2nd time switches you into global (why? it has to be ignored):

for example, s4u mirror.. clicking on currently being used "copy-duplicate" option for a 2nd time - it won't switch you to another mode, it stays
unchanged:

Apropo, after copying with Ctrl.. is it possible to have only the new instances be selected (without original geometry)?

[Rich O Brien]

1st GIF.

• How are you doing a box select?
  Dragging on empty space is reserved for widget sizing.

[rv1974]

@Rich-O-Brien said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

Dragging on empty space is reserved for widget sizing.
wow, nice!
I'm super happy SU finally has some intuitive and easy* to use gizmo-based tool especially for local transforms. Thank you and Fredo for creating and sharing!
*- Formerly, for local transforms I had to use s4u transforms but its UI is too extra-terrestrial for me.

[Rich O Brien]

@rv1974 said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

wow, nice!

Yes, but in your gif I can see a Box select happening when it shouldn't. Could you have some other tool that is causing this odd behaviour you are mentioning?

Glad you find it useful. But your earlier inconsistencies are something I can't replicate my side.

For clarity, Individual by Reference is a way to use the widget position as the Pivot Point for transforms per selected object. So if you are switching from pivot to center and rotating then switching back expect Axyz to not know what it is you are trying to do.

[rv1974]

@Rich-O-Brien said in [Plugin] Axyz - v1.0a - 31 May 24:

But your earlier inconsistencies are something I can't replicate my side.

Select all 5 boxes with the plugin from post 8 and try to copy them via Axyz.
I can't just believe you won't crash (however, without copying all transforms would works just fine)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1w-z7EgWlhjf-OuAFX8lRe5ii0wbxVOIg?usp=sharing

=====
What exactly do you call "box select"? Blue cage around selected objrcts? but since when it should not happen?

[Rich O Brien]

@rv1974 Isn't the 'Instances' tool responsible for the crash