[Plugin] bim-tools 0.13.4(june 22, 2015)

[Dan Rathbun]

I didn't think it was worth it.. as IFC is an XML data file. Ruby already has libraries to work with XML files, that are cross platform.

Is there an easy way to add, for example, REXML to my plugin directory instead of requiring a full ruby install for every user?

Correct. SU does not distribute the Ruby Libraries, only the interpreter.

Distro'ing Ruby libs in your plugin folder can cause version problems. You'll also likely find that those libs have dependancies on other libs, and so on... and so on...

Some coders have done it for single lib files.. but in that case, it's always best to first try and load from the user's full install by just requiring a lib file normally (wrapped in begin .. rescue LoadError block), if the rescue clause gets executed then you can load your copy from your plugin subfolder. That way if the user later installs full Ruby or updates to a newer version your plugin can take advantage of it.

But really... what we need to move toward, is every user having a special full Ruby install beneath the Sketchup program folder, "tweaked" just for use with Sketchup. Then the "system" Ruby install can be left alone to do other non-Sketchup things.

[brewsky]

I have made a first attempt at an export-to-IFC script for the walls plugin I posted earlier.
The method used to generate the required IFC data is quite "crude", and it's still only simple walls, but is't a start!

I've been able to open the resulting files in a couple of viewers:

• Nemetschek IFC Viewer
• Solibri Model Viewer
• TNO IFC Engine Viewer

Check out the google-code page for download and brief tutorial:
http://code.google.com/p/bim-tools/

Maybe there's someone with the ability to try the exporter on one of the big BIM programs?
I would love to hear what they make of it!

- Jan

[Jim]

Jan,

I renamed the topic "[Plugin] bim-tools" so this plugin will appear in the Index (and to bump it in case anyone missed it.)

[Dan Rathbun]

It was under the impression that this was in the Alpha stage, still very much a work in progress.

Why was it moved to the Plugins forum? It's not ready for 'prime' time.

[Jim]

Why was it moved to the Plugins forum? It's not ready for 'prime' time.

Mostly to raise awareness of the plugin.

[bigstick]

Guys, I think this is a great idea with huge potential. I'm really interested in the direction this might take.

[brewsky]

Thanks Jim!

Although a lot of work needs to be done before it can handle a full building model, I'm trying to add small functional pieces to the program so it can be used without being complete.

I just figured I have been updating the google-code project without reporting back here, I will try to post my progress more often!

I recently added the ability to provide some IFC meta-data(such as project name and description), and improved the menu so sections can be folded, to remove some of the noise/clutter.

Currently I'm working on a wall-opening function.
When that's finished(and has a functional IFC-exporter), I think it's a good demo of the idea, and maybe even usefull for some people(simple building interior walls?).

[ZFRPS]

I think need change this name bim-tools to skp2ifc ,BIM is very very big !

[brewsky]

I think need change this name bim-tools to skp2ifc ,BIM is very very big !

I know the scope of a project like this is huge, and probably way to much for one person in his spare time.
It depends on the interpretation of the term "BIM", but IFC alone(and all the necessary tools for defining the objects) is probably equally big...

If anyone has some spare time they are welcome to help out .

The IFC export is an important part of the project, but not it's only purpose.
I would like a designer to be able to assign building properties to faces of a simple building model. Just by way of: "click side-face" = "wall", "click top-face" = "roof".
Every face with an "IFC-label" can be exported to IFC, and then be re-used in a "real" BIM-model.

[brewsky]

It's getting real fun now!

opening-demo.jpg

I have improved the walls, so that a component with the options "glue" and "cut opening" will cut a hole through the wall just like it would in a simple face!

I still have to figure out how to best link the hole with the cutting component, so they move together... and add IFC data so I can update the exporter...

[jolran]

Looks exiting!

[utiler]

WOW....! I have been following this thread since it began and am all of a sudden getting excited!!!!!
Well done, Brewsky!

[brewsky]

Thanks!
Here is the first demo version with wall-openings:

bim-tools-008.zip

It cuts openings, AND you can copy and move them around on the wall!

How to use:

• draw some lines and select them
• open bim-tools plugin
• open "create" menu
• click "walls from selection"
• create a new component with the options "Glue to": Any or Vertical, "Cut opening". And make sure you draw a face or closed profile on the X/Y plane, just like any cutting component.
• Glue the component to the side of the wall
• Now it should cut a hole in the wall in the shape of the outer profile(s).

Best use a nested group/component if you don't want geometry other than the profile interfering with the hole.

Known bugs/limitations:

• It's still slow with complex wall openings
• you can still move opening geometry outside of wall
• moving multiple openings together will only cut 1 hole

Please let me know if you find more...

The IFC exporter does not yet include the wall openings.

[Jim]

Hi Jan,

Thanks for the update. Would you put the download in the first post of this topic, and update the Subject: to reflect the new version and/or date? Having the download in the first post makes it easier for everyone to find the download. Updating the Subject: allows the plugin to appear in the "Recent Updates" section of the Plugins Index. Thanks.

[brewsky]

Would you put the download in the first post of this topic, and update the Subject: to reflect the new version and/or date?

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your help! I'm still a bit of a newbie on the forum
I had no idea the plugins list was generated from the topic-subjects!

The reason I didn't post the download in the first post is that the exporter is not fully functional, but I realise now that in this way it's not easy to find the latest version...

I'll update to the first post!

[johnnygitarr]

hi,

i've got a installation error
(see attachment)

bim-tools.rb and bim-tools folder is in the plugins folder from sketchup


i use sketch up pro 8 version 8.0.11751
os lion 10.7.2

anyone a solution for this problem?

greetings

tobi

[driven]

Hi
require 'bim-tools\ObjectLibrary.rb'
require 'bim-tools\parts\opening.rb'

will not run on mac...

open the ruby file and change those to require 'bim-tools/ObjectLibrary.rb'
require 'bim-tools/parts/opening.rb'

back slashes in the path don't work, when you've done that, Change any others and then see what errors come next, and fix or post those...

or report success...

john

[bigstick]

Epic work Jan! I think we actually only need a few IFC compliant object types to get basic interoperability with the major BIM apps.

Walls and openings are of course the most important, but when we have floors and roofs as well, I suspect most of the work will have been done.

When it's working on the Mac, I'll definitely try it out - excellent!

[fionmacool]

Wow! BIM in Sketchup.... I have to try this! Merci.

[pbacot]

Wow! BIM in Sketchup.... I have to try this! Merci.

"...in ZEE sketch-UP"

[d_e_x]

they were working on an exporter at one time... it never was released as far as I can tell.
http://ifc2skpforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2515651

An exporter won't be as simple as an importer I guess. Somehow you need to add "building properties" to the "empty" SketchUp geometry.
That's exactly what I want to do, not try to re-build revit/archicad in sketchup, but create simple building elements that can be translated/labeled to meaningful objects, which could be re-used(via IFC) in CAD systems.

• faces can be given thickness and labeled "wall", "floor" or "roof"
• edges can be used as paths for profiles(like my current plugin) and labeled "wall", "floor" or "beam"

OMG! great minds think alike

I have been working on the same exact thing for the past few months! I call it SketchUpBIM. Finally, found some courage yesterday to post it on sketchucation. It provides simple tools to create building elements like walls, floors, slabs etc. in SketchUp. Hopefully soon.. these will go out as IFC; and hopefully u can help me with this

check it out: viewtopic.php?f=323&t=41840. It might come in handy at your work. other BIM experts, please also feel free to comment!

Dex

[brewsky]

Hi Tobi,

I'm sorry, I didn't see your post until now. I'm reading all over the forum, and missing this . Somehow I got unsubscribed from the thread...

I will look into the problem, as John says, it probably has to do with the backslashes.

Does anyone have tips on how to best implement the (back)slashes in file-paths cross-platform?
I've tried a few different things, but don't now what's best...

Cheers,
Jan

[brewsky]

Hi Toby!

I just posted a new version(0.9.2), I hope it runs on mac! (sorry can't test it myself).

I removed all backslashes from filepaths as John sugested.

Cheers!
Jan

[Dan Rathbun]

Does anyone have tips on how to best implement the (back)slashes in file-paths cross-platform?

somepath = %q[a/path\to/some\sub\directory]
somepath = File.expand_path(somepath)

[fionmacool]

Sorry, I can't get this to work on Mac.... bummer.

I had to edit the objectlibrary.rb file to insert "/btobjects.rb" instead of "\btobjects.rb", and this allowed the plugin to load without an error. However, all I got was a dialogue that didn't seem to work. Did I miss anything? Check out the image below.

[thomthom]

I had to edit the objectlibrary.rb file to insert "/btobjects.rb" instead of "\btobjects.rb", and this allowed the plugin to load

All paths in Ruby should use forward slashes - this to ensure cross platform functionality.

[brewsky]

However, all I got was a dialogue that didn't seem to work. Did I miss anything? Check out the image below.

Too bad I can't test it myself, the dialog is a webdialog, only tested on internet explorer.
I can however download safari for PC to test the javascript/html, I'll look into that.

During the past months I have re-written my bim-tools plugin from scratch, I think the new concept is a very solid foundation for expanding it into a great BIM-modeller in the SketchUp way of modelling.(I also simplified the dialog, hope it works on mac out of the box...)

The latest code is on google-code: http://code.google.com/p/bim-tools/

I'm currently hunting for bugs, brave people can give it a try , preview added to the post.

At this moment there is a toolbar with 3 buttons:

• The first opens the webdialog with options for BIM elements.
• the second cobnverts selected faces into "BIM objects"
• the third, switches the display between the original "source faces," and generated "BIM" geometry.

The contents of the webdialog adapts to the selected BIM elements(will go wrong once in a while). BIM elements will transform with the source faces...

It is still very easy to screw up the model, for example:

• scaling faces
• "Splitting" of faces
• simultaneously change "name" or "description" for several elements at once.
• each edge can only have two faces
• also connecting faces on the same plane still give an error message.

The project is getting much fun!!!

[thomthom]

Too bad I can't test it myself, the dialog is a webdialog, only tested on internet explorer.
I can however download safari for PC to test the javascript/html, I'll look into that.

I had a quick look at the code - see it uses .set_html - which is bugged under OSX after Safari 5.0.6 update.
Made inline-comment in the Google repository for file: bt_dialog.rb

also made a couple of other notes.

[brewsky]

I had a quick look at the code - see it uses .set_html - which is bugged under OSX after Safari 5.0.6 update.

Too bad .set_html is bugged, I rather liked this method for updating my webdialog. Do you have any suggestions on how to replace it? The only thing I can think of is a whole lot of javascript...

Made inline-comment in the Google repository for file: bt_dialog.rb
also made a couple of other notes.

Thanks for looking into it, unfortunately I can't seem to find your comments in the google-code project. I don't have any experience yet with the code review functionality. Can you point me in the right direction? Any comments are most welcome!

[driven]

Too bad .set_html is bugged, I rather liked this method for updating my webdialog. Do you have any suggestions on how to replace it? The only thing I can think of is a whole lot of javascript...

I got half of your script working with a little aditional ruby to write a temp file and then use .set_file on mac.
I just realised it was with the oldest version, so if I try again with the latest it may all work...
L'll let you know.
john