# Permission to use this software for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted # Distribution of this software for any purpose is subject to: # - the expressed, written consent of the author # - the inclusion of the present copyright notice in all copies.
Please UPGRADE to this latest version 1.4 if you run SU 2017.
VisuHole VisuHole is a suite of interactive tools dedicated to holes and extrusions on planar and curved surfaces. In the current version, VisuHole supports the following tools:
VisuHole - Tools.png
VisuHole can drill through one or several surfaces, including when embedded in groups or components. The scope of the selection can be specified implicitly or by pre-selection. A few additional options are available:
Material assignment: you can choose or pick a material in the model for painting the extrusions, tubes and stamped shapes
Grouping, with 2 modes:
GROUP IN for putting extrusions in groups in the selection context
GROUP OUT for putting all extrusions and tubes in a master group, without altering the original selection
Follow Surface for Carve and Emboss on curved surfaces, allowing to respect the shapes relative dimensions (versus Projection mode, where they would be distorted)
VisuHole - User Manual - English - v1.0 - 19 Sep 14.pdf
SU Version: SU6 and above
Language: English, French (thanks to all kind translators)
Menus: by default, it is installed in Tools > Fredo6 Collection > VisuHole
Icon toolbar: by Default ‘VisuHole’. One icon available for Stencil
The plugin is free, for private and commercial usage. There is a donation menu however.
There are now multiple ways to install scripts - SCF Plugin Store (SU8 and SU13) - recommended method - Unzip (all SU versions and for installations in an alternate Plugins directory) - Extension Manager with RBZ files (SU8 and SU13)
Whatever way you install, you must end up with the following footprint:
VisuHole - Footprint.png
The standard SU Plugins root directories are: Windows SU8: C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 8\Plugins Windows SU13: C:\Program Files\SketchUp\SketchUp 2013/Plugins Windows SU14: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2014\SketchUp\Plugins
Mac SU8: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins Mac SU13: ~/Library/Application Support/SketchUp 2013/SketchUp/Plugins Mac SU14: ~/Library/Application Support/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins
CAUTION: NEVER rename or move files from their folders. If you are unsure of your unzip operation, do it in a neutral folder and check that you reconstruct the right footprint. Then transfer the folders and files to the SU Plugin Directory.
VisuHole can be installed in any directory, not just the Sketchup standard directory. Doing so will allow you to automatically share the same plugin version if you have several versions of Sketchup installed, and to avoid the security right restrictions for copying files to the system folders on Windows (like C:\program files). Just always make sure that the plugin folders and files are located in the same place as LibFredo6.rb. See AdditionalPluginFolders for more information.
If you run SU8, SU13 or SU14, the strongly recommended installation method is to Autoinstall with the SCF Plugin Store tool.
Note for SU6 and SU7 users, download the rbz file from the plugin store page, and change its extension from .rbz to .zip Then: 1) Open the zip archive 2) Select All (Ctrl A) 3) Extract into the Sketchup Plugin Directory 4) Answer YES to OVERWRITE all existing files if any 5) Make sure you get the correct footprint (one rb file and one folder)
VisuHole - Main palette.png
STENCILS
The object used for drilling or extruding is called a STENCIL. This is actually a set of 2D shapes, with or without holes.
In the current version, Stencils must be picked in the model. To enter the Pick Stencil mode, click on the button in the palette or press TAB. The main buttons palette will disappear. When you move the mouse on faces and components, a small axis system is displayed. The blue axis shows the direction for 2D projection (on faces it is simply the face normal).
Click on a Face or on a group / component to pick the stencil.
Click and Drag to pick and orientate the X axis
VisuHole - Stencils.png
INFLUENCE OF SELECTION
If the picked face is at top-level (i.e. not embedded in a group or component), then the selection is taken as all connected faces. Note that by pressing CTRL, you can restrict the selection to the picked face or picked surface.
If the picked face belongs to a group or component, then the selection depends on the options selected in the button palette:
VisuHole - Selection.png
TOOLS and GENERAL PROCEDURE
The VisuHole tool can be selected in the button palette, along with their options:
VisuHole - Tools Palette.png
Setting the direction of projection: by default it is the normal to the picked face. You can however impose a direction, either an axis or a custom normal (as in MoveAlong or DrawAlong). For custom direction, mouse over a face and either type ENTER or LONG-CLICK. Once the Z-axis is set, the other axes in X and Y are computed by default.
You may also set the Material options and Group options (see details later in this chapter).
Then, to execute the operation,
Either double click on a face
Or Click–Release–Move–Click–Release or Click-Drag-Release to set a different orientation of the X and Y axis.
Once the operation is executed, you can either proceed with another operation or modify the settings for the current operation. If you change any parameter in the buttons palette, the button “APPLY CHANGE” will be enabled. When pressing this button, VisuHole will undo the operation and redo it again with the new settings.
VisuHole - Apply Change.png
DRILLING
You can drill holes with or without tubes, and with edges or Guide lines
VisuHole - Drill.png
STAMPING
You can Stamp, Punch or Mark. The shapes are printed on the front faces.
VisuHole - Stamp.png
CARVING / EMBOSSING
Carving and Embossing are controlled by an offset and a few options related to the direction of extrusion and flattening it.
VisuHole - Carve.png
By combining these options, you can create platforms in terrains
VisuHole - Platform.png
VisuHole 1.4b – 12 Oct 17: preserve the preselection across operations, certification SU 2017, support of hi-res screen, compatibility OSX High Sierra. There was still a bug in v1.4a
VisuHole 1.4a – 12 Oct 17: preserve the preselection across operations, certification SU 2017, support of hi-res screen, compatibility OSX High Sierra
VisuHole 1.3a – 13 Nov 15: maintenance release
VisuHole 1.2a – 04 Feb 15: fixes a major bug preventing to drill when Guide lines, Guide Points or Edge are over the target face.
VisuHole 1.1a – 19 Oct 14: release for support of non-ascii usernames in SU14
This is huge. Another must have. -Mechanical engineering. Easy placement of connecting holes for interlocking or hinged elements. Any kind of embedded socket, hex nuts, washers, etc. -Decorative elements that have repeating patterns. Interior design, ceramics, tiled ceilings, jewelry... -Quick and easy panel lines.
Incredible plugin!! I have done the Spanish Translation but there are some strings missing in the language file: • Current Stencil • Next Stencil in History • Previous Stencil in History • Pick a Stencil Shape in the Model
• "Current Stencil" • "Next Stencil in History" • "Previous Stencil in History" • "Pick a Stencil Shape in the Model" • "PICK A STENCIL SHAPE" • "Pick a Stencil Shape - Click / Release to pick or Click / Drag / Release to pick and orientate - Ctrl down to Force faces - Esc to cancel"
Quick question before downloading it: saw the first minutes of the tutorial video... when moving the stencil shape over the surface you want to apply the stencil, it seems the stencil is "grabbed" by it´s middle.
Is it possible however to for example, move a stencil by it´s corner, and then position it precisely somewhere?
Is it possible however to for example, move a stencil by it´s corner, and then position it precisely somewhere?
Yes of course! When you select a new stencil you choose its own origin and even its orientation! And when you draw it on the volume again position and orientation (on the volume) are possible! A must indeed!
0
Frenchy Pilou Is beautiful that please without concept! Speedy Galerie
Is it possible to snap the stencil shape (drill thru) to guide points, guide lines?
You can yet with this little trick and if your face volume is Parallel to one axe!
Draw your guides lines crossing anywhere you want Then call the Stencil and Press one of the the Keyboard Arrow (so x, y, z axis) The snap will be fine on the crossing guides lines!
Curiously don't work with a Guide Point on the surface but Yes if the Guide Point is on the empty space! So put the Guide Point on Guideline(s) who will be itself on the surface volume!
drill1.jpg
Edit : seems you cant draw your stencil on any position on the space of one Guide Line! So no need to press the Arrows'keys! But not on their intersection! Even Drawn a Point Guide at the intersection first!
drill2.jpg
All must be on the surface of the volume! Guide line(s) + Point Guide
This is an awesome plug-in, thank you! I have one question, if for example I punch a hole in a component it seems to make that component unique and doesnt make that change to what were instances of the original component. It cant see to find if there was an option to make the change to all instances of the component. Other "typical" changes on components are working properly. Am I doing something wrong? Or have some preference set wrong?
reboot05 wrote:This is an awesome plug-in, thank you! I have one question, if for example I punch a hole in a component it seems to make that component unique and doesnt make that change to what were instances of the original component. It cant see to find if there was an option to make the change to all instances of the component. Other "typical" changes on components are working properly. Am I doing something wrong? Or have some preference set wrong?
Thanks again!!
You have the choice
1) If you are outside the component, only the component selected is affected (and thus is made unique)
2) if you are inside the component, then all instances will be affected.
Just found this...awesome indeed. Any tips on how to position the drill on guide points or lines? The stencil seems to disappear when I hover over a guide cross or guideline that intersects a face. I would love to know how to accurately place the drill. Very cool. I'm using SU15.
skogen75 wrote:Just found this...awesome indeed. Any tips on how to position the drill on guide points or lines? The stencil seems to disappear when I hover over a guide cross or guideline that intersects a face. I would love to know how to accurately place the drill. Very cool. I'm using SU15.
+1.
I think this is what <pilou » Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:55 am> was describing (along with a workaround?) and if so, I don't get his results, or just don't understand exactly what he was suggesting to do the workaround.
I can NOT get it to punch through any semblance of guidelines, pencil-lines, etc. The stencil disappears as soon as it infers an intersection point - though yes, arrow-keys seem to bring it back as per previous post, but...still...there's no punching going on. Yes, I can punch to my heart's content if I just "get random" with it, but I'm trying to hit precise measurements, not do an art piece where measurements don't matter.
Fantastic capabilities, but for me...entirely hamstrung by this flaw. Help!
Downloaded today with Sketchucation plugin store - Downloads: 3037 [ Version Updated: 2014/10/19 ]
