Versions 1.2 - Swatting bugs and swapping axes; YZ axes, that is.

Update v1.1 with small tweaks hardly worth mentioning.

80,000 verts in 10 seconds is not terrible.

Here's a screenshot because who doesn't love screenshots, amiright? (Model)

Microsoft's 3MF format is not a "secret" format. It is a .zip archive. In the archive is an XML file that is nearly identical to the .amf XML format. The archive also contains meta-data which can be used by applications. 3MF is practically .amf with support files. Not sure why people don't like it besides ignorance or having a prejudice against Microsoft.

Microsoft's 3d Builder also uses NetFabb technology for model repair.

For better or worse, 3MF has a better chance at becoming a standard then the current "standard" which doesn't seem to be going anywhere because it is Design by Committee.

Export .obj? Give this a try and let me know how it works.

It's available through the PluginStore.

http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=faster_obj_exporter

This exporter groups the .obj by material.
Textures are not supported, but colors are.
Groups/Instances are not considered.
Works on selection, or entire model.

This shouldn't be happening. Are you working on models on a network drive? I have heard this can hang SketchUp during an auto-save.

I have tried increasing priority when playing some games. I've never really been able to tell a difference.

First thing I would check if the value for the height in the IF function is expected. Click the Toggle Formula View button to check it. (see image)

Floating-point numbers are troublesome. You may need to check for the height to be less than 36 instead of being exactly 35.56.

I can not get the COLLADA export to work yet either.

However, the .stl export does work. What's better is that FreeCAD does not need to be running to convert a .step to .stl. The FreeCAD Python API can be used to convert the file and a plugin can be made to import .step as an .stl from SketchUp.

The python script I am testing is very simple:

# conv.py
FREECAD = 'C;\\Program Files (x86)\\FreeCAD 0.14\\bin'
import sys
sys.path.append(FREECAD)
import FreeCAD
import Part
part = Part.read("C;/Users/Jim/Downloads/545424.STEP")
part.exportStl('C;/users/jim/part.stl')

In addition, you do not need to install Python. I was able to use FreeCAD's embedded Python to run the script:

"c;\Program Files (x86)\FreeCAD 0.14\bin\python.exe" conv.py

That's it. It will probably take SketchUp longer to import the .stl than FreeCAD takes to perform the conversion.

So there you have it with a little more work, a poor-man's .step import.

Test files round 2.

The amf appears to load in the AMF Utilities, Cura, and Slic3r.

SmallAndBigHeart-Solid.skp

su-exporter-test.amf.txt

As a side note, Microsoft has included some support for printing to 3d printers[1]. There is a 3D Builder app[2] in the Microsoft store which loads .stl, .obj, and .3mf - Microsoft's version of .amf.

I think I read Microsoft has licensed NetFabb technology for checking files.

Maybe soon we will be 3d printing directly from SketchUp.

[1] http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2013/08/22/3d-printing-support-in-windows-8-1-explained/

[2] http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/3d-builder/75f3f766-13b3-45e9-a62f-29590d5781f2

3D Printing in Windows:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/bg183398

I think it makes more sense to organize the model using Groups or Components. So in the image the Heart is the amf <object> and the 2 sub-components are <volume> elements. AMF Volumes are solids, have a material, and can not over-lap.

Material would be applied to each sub-component (volumes), but not the top-level Heart (object.)

Using Groups/Components also has the advantage of instantly knowing if they are solid or not.

It is astonishing that the units are being ignored in Cura. STL's lack of units was a primary motivation behind inventing the AMF format.

An AMF exporter is still possible, but Cura's ignorance of AMF units makes it difficult to take Cura seriously.

Moving on..

Let's talk about expectations for the SketchUp model as they relate to AMF. AMF primarily expects solid volumes. These volumes map nicely to SketchUp solid Groups and solid ComponentInstances.

Does it make sense to have the exporter only work on solid objects in SketchUp?

Can you share a SketchUp model that you would expect to be exportable to AMF?

Search this forum for the voxelize plugin. It's also in the PluginStore.

Is this still valid for Ruby 2, or is there now a better way using the Ruby StdLib?

Thanks - the video is very helpful. It helped clarify some of the element of the .amf files and I will be able to improve the export.

Unfortunately, Cura appears to ignore the unit information in the .amf file. That is disappointing because units was a problem with the .stl format that .amf was designed to fix.

Here are some preliminary files if anyone would like to verify correctness between skp and amf.

amf.skp

ASCII .amf. Forum does not allow .amf extension. Had to rename to .txt file.

My plan is a to focus on geometry with colors. There is currently little demand for more. I hope to have some time over the next 2 weeks.

Do you have an example model? How do you think the .skp to .amf translation should work wrt Groups, Components, Colors, Materials?

Actually, this discussion[1] indicates the format is not widely used. What printers support it?

[1] http://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/stl2/PvhY0X9EHOc

Been meaning to start one. A basic exporter should not be too difficult.

Last time I looked there was not a viewer for .amf files. I would need to view exported files to test exports. Any ideas?

@unknownuser said:

the other thing I was wondering if arrow keys can be used to move the dc's 'attractor'

You need a Tool to get the key-presses, then read-update-write the position values depending on which key was pressed, then redraw the DC.

This file was made specifically for Jeff's DC Magnet Beer model.