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    ImageProfile script almost ready

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    • D Offline
      dylan
      last edited by

      Not sure if I fully understand exactly what it will do.
      So if I have a photo of a tree for example saved as a png, can I use this script to upload it and imageprofile will trace the tree, cut it out and create a component?

      Dylan

      http://dmdarchitecture.co.uk/

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      • R Offline
        RickW
        last edited by

        That's it! Trees, people, shrubs, anything that's an image and would be a candidate for a component, this is the script. SketchUp handles transparency for display, but not for shadows, so a tree (for example) looks great in the model - until the shadows are turned on and you have a rectangular shadow behind it! This will take care of cutting around the image so the shadows match the form of the image.

        Now you do have to remove the background portions of the image before uploading (the script works by differentiating between pixels with and without transparency), but it does remove the (tedious) process of tracing, positioning, scaling, and saving.

        RickW
        [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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        • R Offline
          RickW
          last edited by

          Here's a screenshot. The upload-process-save elapsed time was about 2-3 minutes.
          Model Stats:
          852 edges (at "high" quality trace)
          597 edges (at "medium-high" quality trace)
          366 edges (at "medium-low" quality trace)
          232 edges (at "low" quality trace)

          http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/sas/Ruby/IPscreenshot1.png

          RickW
          [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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          • Didier BurD Offline
            Didier Bur
            last edited by

            Hi Rick,

            @unknownuser said:

            SketchUp handles transparency for display, but not for shadows

             :astonished:  :astonished:  :astonished: 
            

            I don't understand the difference with the simple tree (attached), which is a PNG with transparency ?

            http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/sas/Ruby/tree.gif

            DB

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            • R Offline
              RickW
              last edited by

              If you view hidden edges (or check Model Info>Statistics), I think you'll find that the tree has already been traced. A PNG with transparency will not show proper shadows on its own (see attached image) - it must be traced.

              Imported image, exploded it to get shadows - face with image is highlighted. It is clearly transparent (can see axes behind it), but the shadows don't understand transparent images

              http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/sas/Ruby/IPscreenshot2.png

              RickW
              [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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              • jujuJ Offline
                juju
                last edited by

                I think it's a script I could use, bring it on Rick! 😄

                Save the Earth, it's the only planet with chocolate.

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                • Didier BurD Offline
                  Didier Bur
                  last edited by

                  Sorry Rick, I didn't even noticed that effect. Should be a very useful tool then !

                  DB

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                  • R Offline
                    RickW
                    last edited by

                    No problem, Didier. 😄
                    I hope it is useful to people.

                    RickW
                    [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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                    • EdsonE Offline
                      Edson
                      last edited by

                      rick,

                      yes, it makes it possible for virtually any image to be turned into a component. look fwd to it.

                      edson

                      edson mahfuz, architect| porto alegre • brasil
                      http://www.mahfuz.arq.br

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                      • R Offline
                        RickW
                        last edited by

                        Here is one of the golf bag components, at low accuracy setting - let me know what you think of the quality. High accuracy only gets better 😄

                        Low accuracy setting
                        http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/sas/Ruby/golfbag-4-low.skp

                        RickW
                        [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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                        • R Offline
                          RickW
                          last edited by

                          One of the biggest factors in the trace quality will be the image quality. If the transparent background isn't tight against the image, the trace won't look that good, even though the script will be accurate with what it is given.

                          RickW
                          [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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                          • EdsonE Offline
                            Edson
                            last edited by

                            @rickw said:

                            Here is one of the golf bag components, at low accuracy setting - let me know what you think of the quality. High accuracy only gets better 😄

                            amazing quality. I just cannot wait to be able to use it. congratulations.

                            regards.

                            edson

                            edson mahfuz, architect| porto alegre • brasil
                            http://www.mahfuz.arq.br

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                            • R Offline
                              RickW
                              last edited by

                              Testing is nearly wrapped up. PC users have reported success so far, with only temporary issues relating to connections or firewalls, or issues dealing with the image quality and how it affects the resulting trace. Working out a Mac issue right now.

                              There was some confusion in that the plugin will save the traced image as an external file that can be used as a component. Some users were expecting the component to be created in the current model. While I understand the usefulness of this, it is not likely due to the potential conflicts with existing model geometry. If I can find a way to do it, believe me - I will 😄

                              RickW
                              [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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                              • N Offline
                                not registered yet
                                last edited by

                                This looks great! Even though I don't use 2D components very often, the times I have had to trace a picture have been quite exasperating, not to mention less precise than your script. If my 2D component usage goes up much, I'll definitely be getting this!

                                [birchins]

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                                • jujuJ Offline
                                  juju
                                  last edited by

                                  brichins, it seems like they intend on having the script available for a "pay per view" use. I have my reservations about this.

                                  Save the Earth, it's the only planet with chocolate.

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                                  • R Offline
                                    RickW
                                    last edited by

                                    Update: In testing, I discovered a bug internal to SketchUp that prevents ImageProfile from working on Mac, but things are fine on the PC version of SketchUp.

                                    I'm in the process of getting the script from testing version to final release version. Once that's done, I'll post an update. Or you can subscribe to the Smustard RSS feeds:

                                    News http://www.smustard.com/rss/news
                                    Newest Script http://www.smustard.com/rss/newscript
                                    Recent Scripts http://www.smustard.com/rss/scripts

                                    RickW
                                    [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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                                    • EdsonE Offline
                                      Edson
                                      last edited by

                                      @rickw said:

                                      Update: In testing, I discovered a bug internal to SketchUp that prevents ImageProfile from working on Mac, but things are fine on the PC version of SketchUp.

                                      is this final or are you looking for a way around it?

                                      regards.

                                      edson

                                      edson mahfuz, architect| porto alegre • brasil
                                      http://www.mahfuz.arq.br

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                                      • D Offline
                                        dtrarch
                                        last edited by

                                        Hi Rick

                                        Golf bag works as advertised.
                                        Looks super.

                                        A suggestion for distribution is to offer
                                        minimum package of say $10-20.

                                        Less cost on paypal and better cash flow to you.

                                        Just a thought.

                                        Dave

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                                        • R Offline
                                          RickW
                                          last edited by

                                          Edson: I will try to find a workaround to the Mac problem. It might end up being a Mac-specific download (not my preference), but we will see...

                                          Dave: Thanks for the feedback and the suggestion. I want people to be able to "kick the tires" for a minimal cost. I might work that into the download (get a free process or two), and then go with the packages.

                                          RickW
                                          [www.smustard.com](http://www.smustard.com)

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                                          • D Offline
                                            dtrarch
                                            last edited by

                                            Hi Rick

                                            A pump primer is always good business, but
                                            IMo a good tree and one scantily clothed lady should suffice. EH!

                                            This is a money in the bank time saver for SU without a doubt.

                                            Dave

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