[Plugin] UVTools 0.2 Pro (Beta) (Updated for SU6)

[Rich O Brien]

Guys,

Try and keep on topic if you can?

F&$k sake!

[umbra]

Well, first post, and I must say I don't speak english, so sorry for the mistakes and thanks for your understanding.

The thing is after some days trying and trying this UV thing and being a noob using free software, I found this solution. I'm a happy woman now, and I want to share it
I hope this can be useful for someone

1- paint the surface with the texture and export to .obj with UVTools
2- open the .obj with MeshLab and resave it
3- open it in Blender and edit the UV map (haaaaaarrrrddddddd)
4- export to .obj
5- open it again with MeshLab, and save it as .3ds
6- impot this .3ds in sketchup

I don't know what others uses this MeshLab have, but it's useful for avoiding this "Blender not importing UVTools .obj", and this issue I have with faces bad mapped importing the .obj with UVTools. It seems to handle a lot of 3d formats, but I have to say I'm learning, and doing some simple stuff as cups, apples, and so.

Tested in Kerkythea and everything seems to be ok (with SU2KT 3.16, the new one don't export the simple UVMapped textures spherical or cylindrical)

And thank you all people for sharing your plugins, you're doing Sketchup a great and fun app!!!

[Gaieus]

Hi Marina (and welcome),

I am not entirely sure if it is relevant for your case but anyway, it may be useful info for some; many rendering apps (including Kerkythea) does not like these mapped UV's unless you do the mapping on pre-triangulated surfaces (already in SU). I used to have issues in Twilight (Kerkythea engine based) as well as Thea (same developer of both the rendering engine and the plugin).

Tomasz, the author of the plugin is already aware of this so hopefully there will be a solution one day but until then, triangulation is the way to go (staying mainly in native SU).

Here is a plugin which will triangulate your faces in SU:
viewtopic.php?t=23638

[umbra]

Hi Gaieus!

Yes, your comment is relevant, I've learned about triangulated faces and UV mapping in the hard way (failing and failing LOL). I have Tig's plugin just for this

And I have to add: the model has to be very clean, and MeshLab is useful checking this too, if you don't see the model in the right way in MeshLab, you're going to have problems editing and exporting the .obj.

(Is this thread about whaat's plugin or I'm posting in the wrong place?)

I know my method is a little tricky, if someone have an easier way for mac and free software, I'm reading.

Thank you!

[Gaieus]

Yes, this is about Whaat's plugin so we re in the right place.


However when we are at it, ou can also try Tgi3D Amorph. It also has some nice UV mapping tools (and a free PLE version with some poly count limitation as well as a full trial version with some time limitation...)

And sorry Dale for hijacking the topic

[rohallorah]

I have been looking for something like this for a long time now and I must say so far so good. I do a lot of interior related work so this is ideal. Been testing with Lithunwrap and seems to work fine so far.

Here are 2 images I produced earlier on my thrid attampt:

Sketchup Image

VRAY Image

[leminilab]

I have been looking for something like this for a long time now and I must say so far so good. I do a lot of interior related work so this is ideal. Been testing with Lithunwrap and seems to work fine so far.

Here are 2 images I produced earlier on my thrid attampt:

Sketchup Image

VRAY Image

Hi,
I was wondering what wrapping method you used for this?

[rohallorah]

Hi,
I was wondering what wrapping method you used for this?

Hi, I used the planer mode in LithUnwrap if I'm not mistaken. Worked quite well I think

[leminilab]

Hi,
I was wondering what wrapping method you used for this?

Hi, I used the planer mode in LithUnwrap if I'm not mistaken. Worked quite well I think

Thank you!

Have a nice day!
Nicolas

[Hieru]

I've been using this plugin today and it really is fantastic

One problem I've noticed is that the textures (regardless of source image size) massively increase the file size. This means that the high poly chair I've been working on has increased from 4.75MB to 10.5MB, which means that I can't share the model via the 3D Warehouse.

Is this because the OBJ file is bundled with the SU file, or is something else going on? Is there any way to get the file size back down again?

[Rich O Brien]

Hi,

Alan Fraser recently identified that SU 7 & 8 do something with UV mapping that increases file size. It may effect 6 also I'm not sure. Nor do I remember where he mentioned it. What software are you mapping in?

[Hieru]

I'm using Ultimate Unwrap 3D.

[Rich O Brien]

How do you find it? I'm still getting to grips with it. Have you tried the .skp import/export feature? It's even great as a file conversion tool!

[Hieru]

I haven't quite got my head around the full scope of the programme (looks promising though), but working in conjunction with Whaat's plugin I found it pretty intuitive. It's just a matter of figuring out the best UV mapping technique for your model.

I didn't see a .skp option, just .dae which crashed UU3D.

[Rich O Brien]

I had to contact the developer to get the .skp import/export to work. But now it's zipping along. Prior to that lots of splats.

[shumas]

Does any body gets an error when starting to download Ultimate Unwrap 3D from official site, it gives me that webpage requires JavaScript. Java is enabled on my explorer & mozilla,I dont get it... how can i download it guys ?

[Rich O Brien]

Are you downloading the trial or the Licenced Pro/SE version?

[shumas]

Are you downloading the trial or the Licenced Pro/SE version?

It doesnt matter, it just wont let me download any version..

[Rich O Brien]

Did you email support? Brad is super helpful.

[shumas]

Did you email support? Brad is super helpful.

I didnt, i will try than to email for support, thanks for reply

[rcolpo]

My doubt is the most primary of all, cause I simply can not download the program, or install it. First, I failed to understand that the links in main message are not of the program. Then it took hours to me discover that I had to register on the site to download it. Then I finally see the hidden file, but it are an .rb, and I have no idea how to install it. Can someone help me? I'm exhausted and feeling stupid.

[Gaieus]

Hi Rodrigo,

Ruby plugins are "simple" text files wit the extension of *.rb (sometimes *.rbs). The way you install them is to simply copy them into this directory on your XP:
C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 8\Plugins

Then restart SU. Some plugins needs to be activated under Window > Preferences > Extensions (not this one however - as far as I remember). Then restart SU again. Some plugins have toolbars you can activate under View > Toolbars (usually somewhere at the bottom of the list - I cannot remember if this one has a toolbar - I doubt it).

More complex plugins consist of several files and subfolders and are generally shared in ZIP archives here. Have a look here how to deal with them.
viewtopic.php?f=323&t=35746

---

And of course, welcome to SCF (and to advanced SU use...) There are some marvellous plugins shared by these generous authors here.

[rcolpo]

And of course, welcome to SCF (and to advanced SU use...) There are some marvellous plugins shared by these generous authors here.

Thanks for helping! The UV Mapping Software I used was the Ultimate Unwrap 3D. Thanks.

[dereeei]

A little late, but shouldn't this plugin be renamed in something more suggestive? Like "UV Mapping Tools" ?
There is another "UVTools" plugin here http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/plugin_details.php?id=459

[Gaieus]

That's also by Whaat (Dale Martens) like this one. That's why this is called
UV Tools 2.

[Rich O Brien]

Surely you mean UV Tools 0.2 Pro Beta?

[Gaieus]

Whatever. It's still early in the morning here (1:33 PM)

[Rich O Brien]

No offence meant as I can relate to dereeei's confusion. But UV Tools only maps cylindrical and spherical objects within SU. Whereas UV Tools 0.2 Pro Beta exports/imports to .obj for mapping in external app.

As for changing the name, I imagine Dale viewed UV Tools 0.2 Pro Beta as an extension to UV Tools. Both work a treat which is what everyone wants.

Whatever

[xJonnx]

Looks like a good idea, but does not import into Blender 2.45

[Gaieus]

Try to triangulate the faces before using the plugin and export afterwards. Distorted materials in SU often fail to export (unless the author of the exporter is aware of this glitch and programs the exporter to overcome this bug).

Here are some plugins that do this for you:
viewtopic.php?t=23638
viewtopic.php?t=20347