Hey Folks,

I was curious if there are any other plugins like this around, as Dave R said Jim has withdrawn most of his plugins. It works outstanding at present, but I thought I would ask in advance in case some ruby changes in SU down the line break it, as I've had newer versions do with a couple other plugins. If not, maybe that's the kick in the butt I need to start learning ruby myself to create a replacement for my work flow.

Thanks!

@tig said:

I'm not sure if the author Ash is still about...
However, it's easy to fix the error - the newer Ruby version is stricter than it was years ago !

You are, as ever, awesome. Thank you for this! I'll have to edit the plugin code this weekend when I get the chance.

I keep meaning to make the time to start writing scripts for SketchUp. Are there any ruby courses or books you'd recommend? I have Automatic SketchUp by Matthew Scarpino but I expect the version of ruby has changed a lot in the years since that's come out.

@creativegood said:

Can anyone confirm?

Yup, busted for me as well. Bummer this is a regular use one I loved.

Hello Fredo,

Looking forward to trying this plugin and licensing system out. I do have a question before I try it out though. I use your "Additional Plugin Folders" to manage plugin distribution at my school and ensure all of our computers get updated versions of the plugins on a regular basis. Thus, I have two questions:

1. The default Souvenir license is for 5 seats. Is it possible to get a higher seat allowance for the plugin, or would one need to obtain multiple licenses, and then how to install/manage those?
2. Will this upcoming system work in a similar way to the limited seat count, and are there any other considerations to take? I'm like to ensure I can keep up with whatever changes in SCF licensing and still be able to manage plugins across multiple machines.

Thanks,

Matt

@AshScott, quick question for you after reading over this thread again. Are the video driver issues you mention present all the time, or only when you have an additional monitor plugged in? Just curious.

Hi Jim, essentially, yes what you described at the end of your reply is correct. I would like the ability to reorder and rename dynamic parameters of dynamic components, as well as all of their nested children parameters and so on.

Regarding your previous question, a master template in this context is the way that I've been building my DCs to this point. I'll build a functioning component, and then save off each part so that I can create variants, and still have all the same parameters. So as an example, lets say I've built a window that cuts into a surface, and showcases a single hung window. I've been saving off the window child component, creating a casement version, and swapping then back and forth to ensure they work flawlessly, and minimize the file size of the component. I can attach an example when I get back to a computer.

The fact I said I'd be needing to make constant revisions may be an exaggeration, but my view is this: I'll be overhauling the use of SketchUp in the office to a more standardized system, and as users begin to adopt DCs and they become more useful, I may need to add features that I did not plan out or set aside in the first roll out of DCs. Adding new features shouldn't be too difficult, but seeing as how the order of the exposed parameters is reliant on alphabetical order in the DC options dialog, I don't see any other way to re-order them other than either manually renaming all the params through parent and child level components, or coming up with something more clever.

Hopefully that makes sense, let me know if anything isnt clear.

Thanks!

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Hello Development Gurus,

I've been doing some talking with a couple of you gauging validity of an idea I have for a personal/business use plugin I would like to develop. I'm open to either hiring someone to develop it or developing it myself, though with my current level of ruby knowledge I favor the former since I'd prefer to no die of old age before it's working

A little background: I'm going to be developing a SketchUp dynamic component library for a Architecture firm in southern California. Now I've done this before, but they're going all in and really want a killer, optimized system. I'm comfortable building DC's, but I'd like to put some forethought in and create a tool to make my life easier, and if others can benefit from it, awesome. No matter how much preparing and planning I do, I'm going to have to constantly update my master templates for these components, and that promises to become an increasingly large amount of work as the library grows.

So here's the idea itself: I'd like to have a plugin that will allow me to essentially do a search and replace for the parameters of a DC (nested inclusive), and for the plugin to iterate through rename all the relevant references in the component functions. So let's say I've built the component, and later realize I've forgotten a crucial parameter, and want to add a couple more features. Here's the example I imagine:

Before Plugin Usage
Parameters:
aa_window_height
ab_window_width
ac_window_type

After Plugin Usage (bold and italic represents added/edited params respectively)
Parameters:
aa_window_height
ab_window_width
--->ac_window_depth
--->ad_display_optional_trim
--->ae_window_type

I'd love for this parameter to chase through child components (and beyond) for whatever DC master is open and edit the references inside the formulas as well, if that's possible. For clarity's sake, the double letter prefix is solely there to ensure that parameters in the DC Options panel appear in the order I want them to.

From what I've learned speaking in PMs with a couple of you, the idea is at least worth exploring. If I need to clarify anything, please don't hesitate to let me know or ask.

Thanks,

Matt

@ccaponigro said:

I have looked at HP, Boxx, and Surfacebook. If I configure any of them to a specification I think will perform I get into the $4000.00 to $5000.00 area. OUCH.

Yeah, if you're looking for mobile, that's a tough one. I can say Boxx makes insanely great computers, I have a Boxx desktop, and even three years on it's an unreal power-house. Like you said though, they're extremely pricey. Microsoft currently has their holiday return policy in effect until Jan 31st if I'm not mistaken, so I may just pick one up and test it thoroughly. If I do I'd be happy to post regular updates.

Ashscott, any thoughts on the newly released "Performance Base" version, and/or the release of SketchUp 2017 with the updates to the graphics engine? I'm curious how the combination of those two together would behave. I may end up getting one and returning it within the time period to do some first hand tests.

Hey guys, sorry I'm late to the discussion. I actually had a Surface Book (i7/16GB/512GB/dGPU) and it ran SketchUp pretty well. The issue was that SketchUp 2015 could not yet utilize the dedicated graphics, it only recognized the integrated board, so running complex models with Style and Shadows was not great, workable, but not great. I'll probably end up getting one again when I finish a couple auto projects that I've got budgeted out. Honestly, running SketchUp on the touchscreen with an onscreen keyboard modifier set was very pleasurable, if not quite as fast as running keyboard shortcuts.

@jql said:

Can you share the original dwg too?...

I'll check and see, though probably not. It's a consultant architecture firms' work, so I don't think I can post it. I'll for troubleshooting permission though, gonna be tough to nail it down without it.

My usual process is to export each respective elevation as a separate block using the "WBLOCK" command, open in Illustrator, ungroup, and then re-export to DWG. It works flawlessly on our own internal files, but there's something about the consultant files that doesn't like SketchUp. They don't work well either directly into SketchUp or through the AI translation.

@jga said:

#REF layers indicate an external reference...

The "#REF" layer naming is just what I came up with for use in the my SU template. The REF indicates, like you said, that it's an AutoCAD generated reference drawing, and the "#" just simply moves the references to the top of the layer stack. I've been using it for years with no issues, but are you saying that the "#" appended to the layer name can cause problems?

@dave r said:

...just get on with what I need to do but it would be interesting to understand why the difference.

Yeah I completely agree. I've found a work around for these files (explode EVERYTHING and purge), but I'd be interested to see if anyone knows the specific reason. I developed a standards system that works with my firms CAD standards to allow for use of Dynamic Blocks in CAD, Hatches, etc, coming in to SketchUp, and retaining the layers colors so that reference modeling is essentially WYSIWYG. Ever since doing that, I've been really interested in learning the exact issues at hand, and this is one I haven't been able to crack. Not being able to use my templates that I set up the same way as our in-house stuff irks me to no end.

I think it's something to do with the CAD origin of the drawing or the inserted blocks origins, but I'll be buggered if I can nail it down more than that guess.

-Matt

Hi guys,

Apologies if this topic has been covered before, I searched but couldn't find anything on this particular issue. Anyway, I see this issue occasionally when working with consultants CAD files, and I was wondering if you guys had any idea what causes the issue in SketchUp?

The Issue: Import a CAD drawing, it goes through the import process with no errors, and show up just fine. (A) On selection, however, the blue selection bounding box shows up, but the drawing contents appear to be deselected.

(B) Upon opening the imported drawing, the contents jump to a different location, and then become only able to be selected through the Outliner.

Images and a model attached.

Let me know if you guys have encountered, or come up with a cause of this.

Thanks,

Matt

The model file with the issues.

Hey guys,

I really like the concept of the advanced camera tools, but I have a big issue with them. The frustrum planes they create are so freaking huge that it creates clipping issues. This means that I have to delete them to see the model, adjust the view, and when I commit the change, the create the planes again.

Does anyone know any possible way (in ruby console or otherwise) to suppress the creation of frustrum planes (or at control the distance from the camera eye they are created)?

Thanks,

Matt

I wanted to see if I could also request that the version compatibility be put in at a glance if possible from the main store window. It shows downloads, and sometimes usage, but it'd be nice to show compatibility too for installing across multiple versions.

@tig said:

You could of course choose more snappy folder names ?
N:/SUp/Plugins/Network/Ruby20/xxx/...
You seem to use very loooong paths... Windows does have <= ~255 characters limit too !

LOL Yes. Getting by the upper management sometimes is the issue. "It should be clear to everyone what it is..blah blah blah"

I think I discovered it a year or so ago, and, as Rich put, it is a beast of an app. It takes a while to get your head around at first, but I use it far more than Photoshop for texturing now. I know I've barely scratched the surface, but it does some pretty incredible things. I did the trial for 30 days and then the "Indie" license for $99. Totally worth it.

Also, Jason Maranto has some good tutorials on Substance Designer available via VTC, though they're for Version 2.1. His substance package for Maxwell Grass Generation was what got me into SD. Digital Tutors has more recent stuff as well, and is quite good.

Hope that helps!

Hi guys! Fantastic job on the plugin, I use it almost daily.

I wanted to throw out a request, see if it makes sense. I use SketchUcation Tools to manage and install plugins across a network, with people on SketchUp 8 and 2014. I've got some pro users who know how to use many plugins, some newbies who don't, and several different departments who have different needs. I use Fredo's Additional Locations Script to point to different directories on the network as well.

Would there be any benefit to adding a section where you can define your own "packages" as it were, so that I could create batch installs for user definable groups. For instance, I could make a package with some of ThomThom's scripts that we use, so that I could batch install those to a single location? I'd like to have a package I could install for out Land Planning Department, one for design, etc.

Also, I thought I'd mention that the current AutoInstall window doesn't fit everything if you have a fairly long path. Not a problem since it sorts alphabetically, but thought I'd mention it.

Thanks, and keep up the great work. I can elaborate more if it helps!

Matt

@toddakeson said:

Any tips in general to render off white painted cabinetry/ millwork without getting the harsh splotches?

Hi Todd,

I thought it might be VRay, damn. I can't really make any recommendations based on that. I used Maxwell (unbiased), so I don't have a very strong grasp on VRay (or other biased engines for that matter) or it's settings. From what I've heard, GI settings can sometimes causes light bleeds and so forth, though I couldn't tell you what to adjust to clear them up!

Sorry!

Hi Todd,

Could you tell us a little more about what rendering engine you're using, and how you have the model/materials set up. Or better yet, post the model if you're ok with it?