Hi everyone.. just want to hear your opinion and suggestion concerning my current SSD and HDD raid configuration. I am using a Dell T5600 workstation for my workplace (please see specs screenshot). It arrived pre-configured already from Dell and I never tweaked anything. It's been 2 years old and so far, it's running well.

Recently, I decided to do a little hard disk speed test (since I also plan to build my own personal PC with SSD+HDD). As shown in my specs, I have two storage drives. 1st- Intel SSD 250GB, used as main system and current projects drive, and the 2nd one is a 1TB as files archive drive.

CrystalDiskMark's data shows that my SSD is a clear winner.

But for practical test comparison, I used two of my biggest & slowest sketchup files, first a 150MB file. Next is a 350MB file. The test files was put on SSD and HDD respectively. How I tested: 1. I opened it (timer start), 2. Save as to a new file afterwards (timer starts).

To my Surprise, the results are almost identical, and HDD even won a few seconds when testing the 350MB file. This changed the direction of my query, towards the raid configuration. Honestly, I don't know why Dell preconfigured it in this manner or why put a PCI controller (I assume it being a workstation build standard practice). Sadly, I can't find enough info of my harddisk's brand and specs except that it's on raid. In bios- I see these in first boot sequence: "(BUS 02 DEV 00) PCI RAID ADADPTER)"

My questions:

1. Do I need to change anything with the Raid settings to improve my SSD perfomance?
2. Is the result above indicates that my SATA HDD is performing faster than average HDD, and on par with SSD because of the PCI raid adapter? (I don't mind if this is the case, I regard it as good setup)
3. Or is my SSD slowing down, and functioning like a regular HDD because of raid set up?

Thanks so much for looking. Cheers!

Hi guys, thanks a lot for the recommendations.. I will try them all. Cheers! PS @Pilou: thanks for the formula link.. reminds me of my college dreadful math computations haha

Hi everyone, firstly, I'm not sure if I should post it in plugins forum or the tutorials section. I am aware of other techniques in making helix ramp, such as using a shape bender plugin and follow me and keep..something like that.

But for this type, I am really interested to know the technique or plugin used if any- if you will notice on the file or attached screenshot, the entire ramp is composed of series or array or components-a feature that attracted me most because it's so easy to modify later on (and looks so professional, IMHO). I find it very similar to a spiral staircase idea.

I haven't figured it all out yet. I appreciate if anyone could help me understand the formula or plugin used for this type of ramp.

Thanks a lot in advance for checking and for your time. see attached file and image.

helicoid ramp sample sketchup file

@onzki said:

@eddie said:

looks like uninstalling the component manager did it for me...so far. Took a while to find though since it was called BGScomposants...

Thanks for all your help everyone!

I just had this problem today.. can't find this "BGScomposants".. where is it located?

After a day of struggle of trying to work precisely knowing there's no undo available .. I finally found the culprit (in my situation)- It's the luxrender plugin that I installed few days ago.

IMHO, I think the cause will vary (I use Sketchup 8), so as a tip, I suggest to always log or remember the plugins that you install so it's easier to spot the troublemaker .

@eddie said:

looks like uninstalling the component manager did it for me...so far. Took a while to find though since it was called BGScomposants...

Thanks for all your help everyone!

I just had this problem today.. can't find this "BGScomposants".. where is it located?

Thanks for sharing this.. it will be very useful in my work. By the way, I have a similar need, this time multi-face scale plugin, to scale a multiple polygon/faces in one go. Is this possible? My screenshot:
Thanks a lot!

Oh no..am I too late? Can't download.. server is not working Can anyone share again? Thanks!

Hi guys, is there a way to count selected objects? For example: I have parking slots, (each slot is a component). When I select a part or the area containing these objects, an info feedback will return, something like "100 objects selected". For those familiar with CAD interface, it's the same found on command box.

Thanks!

@tig said:

http://sketchucation.com/resources/pluginstore?pln=ArcCurve_set_segments

I tried it.. wow, this is amazing. I can set it endlessly, from high to low and vice versa Thanks a lot!

@tig said:

I've now incorporated this updated ArcCurveTests.rb in the 'segemnt-setting' tool's PluginStore RBZ for the tool, as it works 'backwards' down to v7...

Thanks a lot for looking at this post and sharing your time generously for another good plugin, what's the specific plug in name again? Thanks, cheers!

@mitcorb said:

I am sure you are familiar with Fredo6's Bezier Spline suite.

Thanks for the reply. Yes I have that one and it's very useful. However, like what you mentioned, it doesn't have the option that I'm currently looking for. Thanks again for the suggestion.

Hi, I'm curious if we have a plug in where the user can select multiple arc or circles and specify its segments at once?
The native sketchup only allows one edit per selection via entity info (segments). The problem with this is the time factor, say if there's 20 circles or arcs- it would be better (IMHO) if the user can select them all and then specify the segments he wanted instead of selecting and editing one by one.
Thanks!

@cotty said:

The plugin follow me and keep should help in this case...

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

--update:

It works great.. amazing plugin. Thanks for pointing me to it. Cheers!

Hi, i'm having a hard time in making circular or radial railing as shown on screenshot below. After I created the path and used follow me, the object appears to be twisted instead of aligning it self parallel to ground. Any workflow suggestions? I appreciate your help, Thanks!

Thanks for the reply, looks interesting. I'll give them a try.
By the way, I updated my post with added option 2 alternative- the tick box, though I'm not sure if that's easy to add because it's Sketchup's interface already.

Hi everyone, is there a plugin that will:

[Concept 1]:
Enable me to quickly align texture to my new specified axis? I work with landscape design plans with so much paving textures involved.. The texture rotate / re-size is helping me a lot. (for orientation purposes and correct paving dimension.)

To skip the texture rotate part- what I'm thinking is- I will specify my axis on correct orientation and then use the "align texture to axis" plugin that will then quickly position itself according to the active axis... is that possible?
After rotating, I'll just use a texture scale plugin separately. But at this moment, the rotating part is what I want to deal with.

[Concept 2]:
And if the above won't work, I'm thinking of the second option, a more simple one- the tick box during import.

Thanks!

Concept 1:

Concept 2:

@tig said:

It's a simple change from the UI.messagebox() type from MB_YESNO to MB_YESNOCANCEL and then adjust the checks for the three cases of Yes[6], No[7] and Cancel [i.e. anything else]... ...; else; return nil;
If the script's file is editable it's any easy tweak...

Hi TIG, I'l try this, what program can you use to edit a ruby script?

@thomthom said:

No such plugin possible. But you could just press the N key - which triggers the No button. Keep it pressed until all dialogs are done.
And contact the author of the plugin.

Thanks, unfortunately the problem with this dialogue is this: "yes" means it will prompt you this box per scene export, and "no" will not prompt any (background saving). Accessing this plugin box by mistake will surely put one in a stalemate
Thanks for the reply, I hope they can add a cancel button. I also use Smustard scene exporter Pro alongside with this, but only for selected scenes.

Hi, is there a plugin that act like a "kill switch" (Can't think of any word) that can cancel or stop a certain process? I always use the plugin called "export scene to JPG". It's amazing and so useful, but the downside: it lacks "cancel" button (See screen shot below). One time, I selected by mistake the "export scene to JPG" from view drop down menu and I wasn't able to stop it. I have 400 scenes already so I ended up to traditional Ctrl+Alt+Del, end task. Loosing to save my work. I know this is a human error. My bad. I just wonder a kill switch might be useful-OR if the plug in developer can add a "cancel" button (please) that's even better .
Thanks!

@dukejazz said:

These 8 rules may help

I noticed that this thread is year old (Feb 2012).. I got the same problems right now. Do we have a more updated solution? Otherwise, I'll just try these suggestions above. Thanks!