@tig said:

Be patient !
How many perforations are you making ?
If there are many hundreds it will take a looong time !
Try it with a small number and see if it works then.
If, before running the tool, you open the Ruby Console do you get any error messages in it ?
Works fine for me and many others...
You do have SUp v8M2 ?
Must be something you are doing ??

TIG:

No error message in ruby console prior to tool. Running current version (you reminded me to upgrade remember?) of SU. Trying default setting that pops up. 30+ minutes later and the spinning wheel of death remains. Am I doing anything wrong?

BTW ... the previous version (w/o the 3-sided option) seems to work fine.

@tig said:

Here's v1.2 http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=395061#p395061
It now has a 3 sided option making equilateral perforations, which assemble into hexagons etc thus

TIG:

Just downloaded the new version (w/ 3-sided option). Same issues as before. Tool appears to begin working, TIG::Honeycomber: Perforating appears in status bar ......... appears, then spinning wheel of death appears and refuses to go away.

@pbacot said:

It's been a while since I used this tool and it looks like interest in it has dropped off judging by the activity here. What other methods have people been using? I have been working with solid groups more and components, but sometime I just want to use something like this. There are some drawbacks to the tool at present:

I cannot make a shortcut key command operate the tool. Nothing happens. So it is slow if you are doing a lot of doors, pulling down the menus each time. Also I have found if you preselect the embrasures, you can work them all one by one by selecting the tool over and over. I wonder if the tool could be set to work on multiple instances in one command.

The tool would also be enhanced by having an active phase, with a toolbar. Then just clicking on an embrasure would perform the preset lintel. That would be the quickest use.

I sometimes get an error message that the maximum door height is exceeded. It has no relationship to the drawing that I can see. Then I cannot use the tool until I reduce the door height then set it back up again where I want it. I thought I might look at adjusting the script, but it's encoded.

Windows are set by sill and window size. It seems to me that convention would make it appropriate to set window head height and window size instead. Then adjusting for a different window would usually take only one input as window heads are usually constant in a building.

This tool works well and cleanly. It's helpful if you have imported CAD wall lines that already have openings. Probably has other uses in joining shapes. Thanks, Peter

Just discovered this plugin this morning ... very handy when importing a plan drawing in CAD as you suggested. I agree with your comments about some minor tweaking.

@tak2hata said:

@sufractal said:

tak2hata:

I've been working with your wonderful BuildingStuctureTools plugin recently. Are you planning on creating any additional tools (and icons) for your plugin?

Although it appears relatively easy to add additional profiles to the existing tools you've created, I think it would be even more convenient if there were separate tools for things such as:

"flanged" steel columns the (H-shapes as you've named them)
round steel columns
steel angles (L-shapes)
steel channels ([-shape)
C-shape steel (these appear to be steel studs)
T-shaped steel
flat bars

By adding more tools, the list for each tool would not be quite so long in the window menu that pops up. For example, instead of just one "steel column" tool, having one (with its icon) for each shape "type" (H, round, square) would be easier/faster to find the structural member needed.

Thanks,

SUFractal

Hi,SUFractal.
I will create new dialog with WEBDIALOG.
It will be more convinient.
Please wait.

Now,Searching with word like "H-100" to use icon "Dialog ALL".
Click the icon ,InputBox"Search" will show.
It will show limiting items in listbox.

Thanks.

Sounds great! Thank you.

tak2hata:

I've been working with your wonderful BuildingStuctureTools plugin recently. Are you planning on creating any additional tools (and icons) for your plugin?

Although it appears relatively easy to add additional profiles to the existing tools you've created, I think it would be even more convenient if there were separate tools for things such as:

"flanged" steel columns the (H-shapes as you've named them)
round steel columns
steel angles (L-shapes)
steel channels ([-shape)
C-shape steel (these appear to be steel studs)
T-shaped steel
flat bars

By adding more tools, the list for each tool would not be quite so long in the window menu that pops up. For example, instead of just one "steel column" tool, having one (with its icon) for each shape "type" (H, round, square) would be easier/faster to find the structural member needed.

Thanks,

SUFractal

Looking forward to experimenting with this!

@d_e_x said:

SketchUpBIM, Instant Roof, and SectionCutFace put together - are working fine. I did not notice any crashes or any other issues. I have tested this on Windows 7, 64 Bits. Next, I am going to try this on the Mac. At this point, NO ISSUES HAVE BEEN FOUND.

In the attached screen-shot, SketchUpBIM elements (columns, walls etc.) are working fine with a "Barn Gambrel" roof from Chuck Vali's Instant Roof and a cyan colored section cut from TIG's 'SectionCutFace'.

[attachment=0:r3r61rfx]<!-- ia0 -->SBIM_SectionCut_InstantRoof.png<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment:r3r61rfx]

TIG, Thomthom, could you confirm if there are any problems?

Also, the SketchUpBIM plugin has been tested with SuPodium, and Ledas Driving Dimensions, and no issues have been found. If there is anything, then it might be platform specific; or is related to other softwares and/or privileges on some specific computers. (random hunch!)

d_e_x:

TIG and TT suggested that I try upgrading to a newer version of SU (Version 8.0.11751) ... which I have done. That seems to solve the problem with the other plugins.

I'm embarrassed that I didn't think to check that first.

Keep up the good work ... looking forward to using your great tool again.

Thanks!

@tig said:

Oxer/SUFractal

Thomthom has just pointed out that your versions of v8 are out of date and were replaced by updated that fixed certain issues - including some with model.raytest...

Please download the latest v8pro version for your OS, install then then retest...
Report back - it would be nice to know that the fix was as simple as you getting the latest version of the software... before you report an issue

TIG/TT:

I've updated SU (Version 8.0.11751) as you suggested.

Honeycomber, Instant Roof, SectionCutFace, and SketchUpBIM all seem to be getting along nicely so far.

(Why didn't I think of something so simple as that? )

Thanks for all your help ... I'll post in the SketchUpBIM thread/post.

@tig said:

Well... first have you [recently] installed BIMtools?
If not don't worry.
BUT if you did, then find the file you installed in Plugins - look inside the original 'zip' file to see what these were. There should be 'bim-tools.rb' and its folder of other files that it uses.
So disabling 'bim-tools.rb' in Plugins will stop it auto-loading.
You can either move that file out of the Plugins folder temporarily so Sketchup doesn't then find it when starting, so it is not auto-loaded; OR you could leave it where it is and rename it 'bim-tools.rb!' - only file-types '.rb' and '.rbs' are auto-loaded.

If you restart and try SectionCutFace now does it work...
If so we have the culprit...

If you want to restore a disabled tool later on, then either move its file[s] back into Plugins, or if you have adopted the other approach, rename the file[s] back as 'xxx.rb' etc...

Folks ... the correct name of the troublesome script is 'SketchUpBIM'.

@millzye71 said:

Very good plug in indeed!!! Could this be modified so that you could use these steel sections as rafters, and be able to rotate them at a degree up or down on the axis that you have drawn. This would be great when modelling steel frames.

Cheers

Millzye

Couldn't you draw a 'wire frame' (for lack of a better way of saying it) then use the desired steel section tool to 'trace' along the wireframe line?

@thomthom said:

And without SketchUpBIM installed everything works fine?

@tig said:

I suspect that it somehow, ill-advisedly, messes with the base class/methods - e.g. group.copy and similar...

Either that, or it could be misbehaving observers - such as modifying the model in observer events.

Yes Thomthom ... w/o SU-BIM there do not appear to be any issues with other plugins or SU at all (from what I've experienced).

@thomthom said:

@sufractal said:

ATTENTION!!!!!!!

I've discovered a problem with this plugin/tool.

It conflicts with TIG's 'SectionCutFace' and Chuck Vali's Instant Roof plugins. And perhaps others as well, that I am not aware of.

Anyone else discovering any issues with it?

Can you describe what the conflict is? When reporting problems it is more useful the more information you give.

Sorry Thomthom ... I should know better.

When operating either tool (Instant Roof or SCF) with SU-BIM installed in plugins folder, SU immediately crashes. SU-BIM doesn't seem to be affected by anything else that I can see.

ATTENTION!!!!!!!

I've discovered a problem with this plugin/tool.

It conflicts with TIG's 'SectionCutFace' and Chuck Vali's Instant Roof plugins. And perhaps others as well, that I am not aware of.

Anyone else discovering any issues with it?

@tig said:

Can you please supply the exact version of Sketchup [found via Help > About...]
I have already logged something with Google and need the exact details...

Version 8.0.3161

@tig said:

OK.
Stop the testing!

Can I have exact details of your Sketchup version and your OS.
[both Oxer AND SUFractal].

Something is seriously adrift !!!

I need to speak with the powers-that-be at Google to resolve this - it appears to be a basic error in that specific Sketchup installation...

The model.raytest() is not working as specified...

SUFractal is using Mac OSX 10.6.8 with SUPro version 8. Anything else?

@tig said:

It's not a 'conflict'.
Some 'rogue' scripts rewrite native built-in class/methods rather than making a separate process.
Model.raytest takes an argument consisting of an array of a point and a vector
[point,vector], this determines where the 'ray' starts and the direction it is cast.
There is a second optional argument telling it to ignore/include 'hidden' objects in the testing...
So my code's
rayt=model.raytest([point,vector],true)
should work.

The error says it's expecting a 'Float' [number] NOT a 'Point3d' occurs irrespective of how the raytest is run. The Ruby Console method shows this.
If you removed my TIG-Honeycomber_loader.rb its other file won't load and when you restart Sketchup I prepared to bet cash that you'll get the same Ruby Console error when doing a raytest.
So it's NOT my code.
Something else is messing with the correct operation of model.raytest()

Here's how to track it down to a specific file.
Make a temporary folder called 'Disabled'.
Sort the files in the Plugins folder by type [i.e. extension name].
Disable around half of those files that end in .rb/.rbs [i.e. move them into 'Disabled' folder] - note how we include the .rb files, because a .rb might be loading a .rbs from a subfolder, although we have eliminated them as the direct culprits.
Restart Sketchup and test for the 'raytest' error again [the SKP with the circle and the one liner in the Console is probably the easiest, and you get the result instantly too].
You'll have one of two results.

1. There is no error.
2. The error recurs.
   Let's assume 1. you now know the problem file is in the set left in the 'Disabled' folder.
   Move around half of the files from Disabled in to Plugins.
   Repeat the 'raytest' testing again.
   Once again you have one of the two results - if 1. repeat until you have one file left in 'Disabled'.
   That should be the culprit, double check by returning it and seeing if the 'raytest' error recurs. If it's 2. following the reverse procedure outlined below.***
   Move it out again if/when it does.
   If it's a .rb file it will [probably] be loading a .rbs from a subfolder.
   Let me know what it the tool is.
   Alternatively let's assume it's initial 2. [error recurs]*** - this time move files in the opposite direction.
   Take about half of the .rb/.rbs from Plugins and put them back in Disabled.
   When re-tested if the error recurs the problem file is still in Plugins, move half out again until you get the culprit.
   If the retest succeeds then the problem file is amongst those have you just moved into Disabled; move half back etc until you zoom-in on the culprit.

The alternative method is this [note that it will on average take the same amount of time, BUT it could give a much faster OR much slower result].
This method is that you move the files one by one from Disabled into Plugins and retest each time.
When it fails the file you just moved in is the culprit.

IF we find no culprit inside Plugins or its subfolder, then we could look at files inside Tools BUT it's unlikely.

If the error recurs will ALL plugins disabled then the fault is in Sketchup itself...
A reinstall or repair might fix it, but I really suspect a 'rogue' script is the culprit.

I've removed all plugin scripts to a separate folder (outside of plugins) ... a few at a time ... to leave only the Honeycomber script. Same issues.

@tig said:

Oxer

The def raytest**2** is excluded as we are interested in just ' raytest'.
The listed scripts USE ' raytest', but do not re-define it...

Did the search include subfolders ?
My suggested method in the last post will confirm if subfolders are getting searched, if it finds the tool's .rb in its subfolder.

Once we have exhausted these possibilities we can consider the 'disabling' options.

The only plugin/script file (including searching within folders) that contains 'raytest' (or 'def raytest') in its contents that I can find ... is your script 'TIG-Honeycomber.rb'.

Same to be said for 'module TIG' .... only in your script 'TIG-Honeycomber.rb'.

@tig said:

SUFractal

Your issue is just the same as Oxer's !
It is not my tool... but something broken in the core methods: almost certainly by a 'rogue' script...
Can you try the steps I set out for Oxer over the last few posts...
Hopefully we can resolve this...

I did just try that ... no luck.

@tig said:

Oxer[and probably SUFractal in the absence of a Console error report from him...]

The reason the 'Shell' part works is that the basic shell is added before any raytesting starts [it still fails BUT then the shell is there], but with no shell specified the raytesting starts early-on - before any new geometry is added at all.

From the error messages I can see the error is that your setup seems to think that the model.raytest is expecting a Float [number] not a Point3d as it is getting.
In fact it has to be that
model.raytest([**point**, vector], true)
which is of course exactly what the code in line #599 does.
rayt=@model.raytest([zcent, Z_AXIS], true)
where 'zcent' is clearly defined as a point [as it ought to be],
the Z_AXIS is clearly a vector, and 'true' is simply saying 'ignore hidden objects'.

So... I can but deduce that another third-party script is ill-advisedly redefining the model.raytest() method
Though God knows why...

To see if the error occurs outside of my tool's code, please do the following and report back...
Use an empty SKP.
Switch Axes 'on'.
Make ~1m radius circle, based flat on the ground [Z/Blue=0], centered on the origin [crossing of XYZ/RGB axes].
Now open the Ruby Console.
Then copy/paste +<enter> this line of code

Sketchup.active_model.raytest([Geom;;Point3d.new(0,0,-1),Z_AXIS],true)

You should get a result something like this [although the face's 'reference' will vary].

[Point3d(0, 0, 0), [#<Sketchup::Face:0x11aba8e0>]]
If it succeeds then I can't immediately see why it'd work in the Ruby Console and not my code...
If you get an error similar to the one you've posted we know the built-in model.raytest() method has been broken.
If there is an error could you try to 'grep' [i.e. 'search' through files for certain text inside them] through the files in the 'Plugins' folder, and its subfolders [and also in the 'Tools' folder], for the text ' def raytest'.
If you find a file please report back.
If you disable that file does the model.raytest() 'test' work now ???

I get this ruby console 'result' when trying your suggestion to Oxer.

Sketchup.active_model.raytest([Geom::Point3d.new(0,0,-1),Z_AXIS],true)
Error: #<TypeError: (eval):61:in `raytest': can't convert Geom::Point3d into Float>
(eval):61
(eval):61

By the way ... I do not see 'def raytest' in my plugins folder anywhere. Using the "Find" function, I do not 'def raytest' anywhere on my computer.

@tig said:

SUFractal

You'd only need to wait 15 minutes if doing an incredibly complex object with thousands of perforations...

So, it seems that it runs, but produces no result?
Does it 'crash' ?
Does it 'hang' ?
What 'Console message[s]' ?
There should be none, only Status-bar messages saying what's being done and some incrementing '...' or ',,,' etc.
You should actually see the perforators being added, then subtracted in turn as the view refreshes as it goes...

Can you post your cube size, and a screenshot of the dialog settings you used...
It it completes with no changes, then it suggests that the perforations were bigger than the object so it remains unchanged.
If you use 'Shell' > 0 [at a fraction of the cube's dims] do you at least get a simple shell added ?
This is a mystery

I meant status window, not console, sorry.

Using a 12' x 12' x 12' cube and the default parameters (see screenshot), I click 'OK', the status window changes to "Tig::Honeycomber:Perforating", and then it "hangs/doesn't do anything else/whatever" ... nothing 'happens' to the cube.

I then tried a shell setting in the Parameters window of 12" (and all other settings at 12") and it generated a shell and 'cube within a cube'.

I get no prompts for structure, comb, or foam (or anything) beyond that.