[Plugin] Cloud V6 update

[Didier Bur]

Hi all,

Here is an update of the "import points cloud" script.
As a user requested, you can now click a point to translate the cloud to a new origin.


Bugs fixed Sat Nov 17 2007:
----------------------------
- Files countaining multiple data per line now OK
- Problem with component instances fixed

[mozzie]

Wow!

Thanks Didier ... 24 hour turnaround is impressive!

I'll try it out tomorrow.

[ARUNKUMAR]

Hello Didier,

I'am new user of SU Pro (ver 6). I have gone thru your previous postings regarding ruby scripts and I sincerely thank you for the help provided to the SU user community.

Through one of your links, am able to download cloud.rb and also the related pdf document for installation & usage.

Now am trying to check it with my existing data file which is in .txt format. I'am able to see a message at the bottom left of my screen as "2045 points to import" after providing required info in "Points Cloud Option" dialog box but nothing is created on screen.

I'am using a space delimited file. Is there any restriction with no. of input points.....please suggest.

Thanks

Hi all,

Here is an update of the "import points cloud" script.
As a user requested, you can now click a point to translate the cloud to a new origin.

[juju]

People, please do not discuss the scripts here, this is the repository. Use the regular Ruby subforum.

[vincenz]

hi,
downloaded the zip file and unzipped but cloud_v6.rb seems packed, can not be read, what is wrong?

vinc.

[Gaieus]

It's just encod4ed I believe. It works without you being able to read the script.

[muawiyadotcom]

wow amazing !!!
many many thanx ......
very great help....
again thanx.......

[TIG]

hi,
downloaded the zip file and unzipped but cloud_v6.rb seems packed, can not be read, what is wrong?
vinc.

For cloud_v8b.rbs - it's a .rbs file and therefore it is strongly 'encrypted'.
The earlier versions of the script [like cloud_v6.rb] might be .rb files... BUT it is still possible to 'pack' these to make them unreadable to the users - however, some of us with more developed Ruby skills can 'unpack' these back into human-readable code, that will still work as a script [I actually helped Didier 'unpack' one of his scripts, after he'd 'lost' the original readable base code and needed to change it!]. You must remember that authors 'pack' their code to protect it from casual pilfering of algorithms and 'encrypt' their code to completely protect it - personally I rarely try to 'hide' my code from the users... If a script is somehow obfuscated there should be some separate help file - pdf/html - to help users without them needing to be able to read the script itself...

[xrok1]

does this work with SU8? i can't even get the example file to work.
i get this in the ruby console :

Error: #<TypeError: nil can't be coerced into Length>
(eval):305:in `*'
(eval):305:in `draw_geometry'
(eval):302:in `each'
(eval):302:in `draw_geometry'
(eval):217:in `onLButtonUp'
(eval):305

[Didier Bur]

Hi,
I suggest you download the latest version for SU8 here: http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/plugin_details.php?id=777
Regards,

[xrok1]

can't get it to show up in the plugins menu?

[xrok1]

nevermind! found it in the file menu

[phessels]

Hi Didier,

thanks for all your great work!

Unfortunately, after hours of trying, i too can't get it to show up in the plug in menu.
This is the message i get when starting up SU8:

Error Loading File animation.rb
undefined method `GetString' for nil:NilClassError Loading File attributes.rb
undefined method `GetString' for nil:NilClassError Loading File box.rb
undefined method `GetString' for nil:NilClassError Loading File examplescripts.rb
no such file to load -- examples/box.rbError Loading File ocean.rb
undefined method `GetString' for nil:NilClass

Any idea?

Pieter

[TIG]

Hi Didier,

thanks for all your great work!

Unfortunately, after hours of trying, i too can't get it to show up in the plug in menu.
This is the message i get when starting up SU8:

Error Loading File animation.rb
undefined method `GetString' for nil:NilClassError Loading File attributes.rb
undefined method `GetString' for nil:NilClassError Loading File box.rb
undefined method `GetString' for nil:NilClassError Loading File examplescripts.rb
no such file to load -- examples/box.rbError Loading File ocean.rb
undefined method `GetString' for nil:NilClass...

This error appears to have nothing to do with the tool in this thread... Have you installed other tools or moved files around etc ?
The Examples folder within the Plugins folder contains several example script files that you can activate from Preferences > Extensions [so can 'Ocean']. These are the .rb scripts listed in the error message. They use 'GetString' which is loaded by langhandler.rb which is itself loaded from inside the Tools folder that loads after the Plugins items - however, to ensure that such files are available, then any 'earlier loading' scripts should use "require 'langhandler.rb'" [they often also "require" other files like 'sketchup.rb' and 'extensions.rb' which provide other vital functionality], which loads them [if they are not already loaded] from anywhere in the list of possible auto-load-folders, this way loading errors are avoided.
The files that are in Tools should NEVER be moved into Plugins.
There should never be files with the same names in Plugins as they will be found first and loaded instead of the Tools ones, and cause confusion; there are some 'collections' toolbar sets that ill-advisedly packaged a number of these Tools scripts [older versions] that users then install into Plugins with unexpected effects!
You must have the latest scripts for v8 in its Tools folder only!!
So, first question... do you have a Tools folder - it should have been automatically made/populated when Sketchup was installed.
Does it contain several .rb files like those mentioned above.
Do you have versions of any of these inside Plugins? [if so remove them!]
If you have 'lost' any of these Tools .rb files then reinstall Sketchup to restore them.
One of the errors also suggests that the Examples folder might not be in Plugins ?
You should leave [have left] all of its contents where they are !
Can you post a screenshot of your folder/files setup ?

EDIT:
One final idea... I note you are on MAC.
The examples.rb uses the code require 'LangHandler.rb' but the file itself is actually called 'langhandler.rb', similarly the Examples folder is refered to as examples/.... On a PC lowercase/uppercase letters in folder/file-names are taken as equivalent, so there are no issues [CAT.rb==cat.RB].
This is the same on a MAC - with the default settings [I think] - BUT because MACs are Unix based you can set a System 'flag' to consider 'Examples' and 'examples' as two distinct folders that can then coexist in the same parent folder, and the same with file-names. SO... do you have that system flag set ? If so can you unset it !?
It can lead to all sorts of issues because Ruby files can be sloppily written and disregard 'character-case'

[phessels]

Hi Didier,

thanks for your message, very kind indeed!
When uninstalling Sketchup I realised I had been putting all my plugin's into a different SU folder, namely directly into the SU folder from my Applications shortcut. I guess I had added a Plug-in folder when not seeing one there, silly me.
I then went to the original folder through app support and realised where they were supposed to go.
Beginner Mac mistake I guess.

Many thanks again for your help.
It works like a charm now!!!

I ended up using the Triangulate rb. I use the TIG's to make a DTM (digital terrain model) for landscape design, rendering it with my drawings and then adding 3d features which I'll then make 3d sketches of as I still don't think SU does the job for presentation quality landscape design. just still feels too cheap.

See below: