I am working on my first real TFP project and must say that I love the product and cannot wait to post some results. I am however having some difficulties importing Sketchup file. I have V15 and using the import object wizard I get to the "select the elements main parameters" screen, I go through the process of selecting a file and then nothing happens. I cannot get the Next option active.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Rob
Hi Rob,
Welcome to the forum!
I am glad to hear your are enjoying TFP. It is a fascinating program to use. We will be looking forward to seeing some of your work.!
What happens when you import straight into the catalogue? (eg Right Click in Interior Accessories and select Add New Element). I find this much quicker and more reliable, as you know exactly where the object is. The wizard only imports into the model and then you have to add it into the catalogue later and it is often hard to find again.
There were some issues earlier with some latest version SKP files, (and some include animations so I am not sure if they import OK), although I thought the issues were all fixed now. What version SKP files are they? Can you import 3DS files OK?
Allan
Hi Rob!
As Allan say you have better control if you import direct to catalog!
Then it com to SKP files not every files behave as you think it shall do. First of all not all skp-files is done in proper scale, you have to consider not all how load up, have any education in 3D or abut draw a something in scale. If you download Google SketchUp you can controll this isue and the program is free.
/robert
Hi Rob
Some tips: sorry if they seem obvious, but as, at some point, I experienced them so, perhaps they can help...... ;)
Please refer to the image attached
When you open the "Select the elements main parameters" screen (at the left in the image attached)--> if you click "select"--> do you see a screen with the file selection? (right side in the image) if you see the screen do you see the file's name? --> if you don't see the file's name, check the format selected (outlined in green), because by default the format is DXF and you need to change the format manually
If you go through this step (selecting the file successfully), can you see the object in the preview window? do you see the next button (outlined in red)?
If you imported the files from the Google 3D Warehouse, please confirm if your files are *.skp files, because some files available in that website are not *.skp files!! therefore, TFP will not import them
To robban
I never experienced problems importing *.skp files. I am curious regarding the object behavior you mentioned, can you elaborate?
I don't think that the scale is a problem, because you can set the object dimension in TFP. The only issue I found with the 3D warehouse objects' dims is the difference between the Metric / English
systems ::)
Pat
Hi Pat and Robert,
I rarely import any external files, usually just create my own objects within TFP but have in the past, imported a couple of SKP files just to see how it worked and I did not have any problems with scale or anything. However I did notice that, with the just released update to Envisioneer (6.1), which should flow on to TFP shortly, it lists fixes to the scale on SKP imports.
It states:
Sketchup
Hi Allan,
Interesting. The only problem I found importing *.skp objects, as I stated, is the units' issue--> in some cases, trying to import an *.skp file developed in metric--> the object's dims are in metric, the unit conversion fails--> therefore the scale looks odd in in-ft
Good news that there will be a fix :)
Pat
Hi Pat,
No I hadn't had any problems either although only tried a couple and that was some time ago.
Obviously there must be an issue with some of them, somewhere.
Allan
Hi there,
I just wanted to post a note saying that i am also experiencing the same problem as the OP when importing a sketchup file.
I have installed V15 on both my Dell laptop and my girlfriends Evesham laptop. Both are capable laptops with dedicated graphics chips.
When i use my dell i have no problem at all importing a sketchup file, however my girlfriend experiences the same problem as described by the OP.
we go:
- file -> import -> object wizard
- click "next"
- click "select"
- change the file type to skp file
- find the file, select and click open.
once returned to the "select the elements main parameters" page i do not see a preview and am unable to select "next".
Like i say, i have tried the same file on 2 different computers running the same version of TFP; one imports fine, the other does not. FWIW i also tried to import at 3ds file which posed no problem.
hopefully we can get around this, but i am not sure - we are both new to 3d modelling and are not proficient enough to create our own objects from scratch in TFP just yet.
oh - i also tried Allan Chesney's advice on adding the skp file directly to the catalog but that also doesn't work. For some reason the dimensions are all over the place and i have no preview! :S
hope someone can help us on this; up to now we have been very impressed with TFP.
thanks
Dave
Hi Dave! Welcome to the forum !
I wonder what type of graphic card have your girlfriend, and what type of OP, 32 or 64 bits??
/Robert
Hi Robert,
Thanks - i am hoping we can resolve this problem as the software looks good and the forum seems pretty active which is always good!
evesham specs
- radeon x1600xt (mobile edition)
- windows 7 ultimate x86 (32 bit)
- 1.5 GB RAM
- core duo t2600
dell specs
- nvidia quadro nvs 160m
- windows 7 ultimate x86
- 2 GB ram
- core 2 duo P8600
might be down to the video card i suppose. i did try and find a converter to change the skp file to 3ds file and although i found one it didn't work as expected. looks like i'll have to learn to draw objects from scratch in TFP :D
cheers
Dave
Hi Dave,
First an important note--> as per your descriptions, both computers have video adapters (chips) and not video cards --> for rendering purposes, this is an important difference because the chip uses the mother board processor for the calculations and the video cards have their own processor for this function
In this situation, the mother board processor capability is critical
Intel Core Duo Processor T2600 --> 2M Cache, 2.16 GHz, 667 MHz FSB
Intel Core Duo Processor P8600 --> 3M Cache, 2.40 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB
I think that the problem is clear and we can see the difference.
Anyway, if you wish to post here one of the objects, I will be glad to help you with some tests --> the tests will show if the problem is with the processor, with the chip or any other issue
Before I start the tests, I need to know what type of Antivirus / malware programs you use
Pat
Pat
Hi Pat,
Thanks for your response.
I have tried to import the object in the link below (as well as others). I have also installed Sketchup on both to see if there was a missing DLL or something, but that didn't fix it either.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=76fd584df2f786f1ccd0340812259a39&prevstart=0
the evesham is using AVG, the dell is using McAfee.
regarding your note about video chips - i am not sure i follow you on that. The radeon is a dedicated chip for graphics the same as a video card in a desktop - why would it put out any number crunching needed for video to the CPU? that's what it's there for in the first place. I'd agree with you if you said "on-board" or "integrated" graphics. Neither laptops have integrated, both have dedicated. i.e. a separate chip for crunching numbers for games/3d software etc.
Nope, it is not how it works. A dedicated chip is not the same that a video card
Some additional info
Acceleration--> Most of the video cards are designed for gaming, therefore, for the average card, speed comes first and precision after. In other words, if during a computer game you are "chasing a monster" certainly, you are not interested in the exact shadows of the castle's walls, or the texture's effects--> your only interest is speed. However, if you are a 3D designer, you need accuracy, even if the rendering takes more time. This is the reason why, with several video cards, to get good rendering results and accuracy you need to reduce the speed (accelerations) and this is the first relation with the processor . This is just to answer to your question, but I don't think that your problem is related with accelerations
About your problem - Onboard video cards as well as video chips are not good for rendering purposes. There is a good reason for this: onboard video cards and chips share the processor, therefore (as explained above) the same processor is used for calculations and rendering. With complex surfaces, this process is almost impossible. In other words, if you have just walls, roofs, etc, the system will work, but if you have furniture, columns , molding , etc, (lots of polygons) the system will crash.
And regarding your question--> yes, there are laptops with video card, for rendering purposes. I have a Toshiba with an Ati Radeon VideoCard with its own cooling system
Pat
I also tried the following:
1. on the dell create a simple skp file in sketchup
2. copy it to the evesham
3. try to import the skp file into catalogue
result = fail
1. on the dell create a simple skp file in sketchup
2. import it to TFP
3. export it as a 3ds file
4. copy it to evesham
5. import the 3ds file into the catalogue
result = success
it seems to be purely about importing skp files and nothing else.
i am trying to read between the lines here about what you suggest to fix this problem whereby TFP does not import skp files - are you suggesting a new processor for the evesham?
cheers
D
Hi Dave! I'm not shure if Pat agree with me but it look like TFP on the evesham is corupt, so you need to reinstall it.
/Robert
Hi Robert,
I don't think so.... the symptoms of a corrupted program are (usually) different, but I can't say for sure without a diagnostic routine
Hi Dave
Please, don't read between the lines of my messages ;) --> I meant only what I wrote
1 - You asked some technical questions about processors and video cards--> I answered to the best of my knowledge, without any suggestion, direct or not
2 - In my first message I wrote --> "Anyway, if you wish to post here one of the objects, I will be glad to help you with some tests --> the tests will show if the problem is with the processor, with the chip or any other issue" --> this is the only direct suggestion I wrote
Pat
Hi Pat,
Sorry, i am struggling to pick up on what you are advising... :-[
regarding your second point - i did post a link to the file that I have been trying to import. Is this enough for you to help with some tests? it was this one: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=76fd584df2f786f1ccd0340812259a39&prevstart=0
i may try to re-install TFP to see if that addresses the issue anyway.
FYI i have been through windows update and all drivers are up to date.
cheers
D
Hi Dave,
I am not going to enter into the discussion on re-installing or any of Pat's questions/suggestions, as I try to keep out of technical installation issues. I know Pat and some others are much more qualified than me on those things. I just wanted to say that I had no problem with the SKP file you linked. It installed fine. I used the V6 version as it was the latest. I know TFP was fine with the V5 skp files and understood it was OK with V6 too and that is so on my PC.
As stated before I usually create my own obects in TFP so I have only imported SKP files as tests. In the image (on the right) I have replicated the SKP Shower Base (I presume that is what it is?) on the left. It has a square of floor 5mm thick with a mitred 'Tapered 2' Member for the edges and flattened half dome for the plug. The plug does not have the flat top but this was just intended as a quick example, so that was easiest. It can be exported as a 3DS and imported again to add to the catalogue for future use. It took just a few minutes to make - about the same as the time it took to link to the SKP version, save and import it.
If you want to make some things and need some ideas as to what could be used, then just ask and explain or provide a sketch or photo of what you want to make.
Allan
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your response - i am convinced it's to do with a driver or something. I'll try a re-install at some point to see if that fixes it.
I have tried to create objects in TFP and can create convincing results, but sketch up is ridiculously easy to create objects especially complicated ones. the only other workaround is to use the dell to create the objects, import into TFP and export as a 3ds file ready for import onto the other laptop.
thanks again
Dave
Hi Dave. Is it this the computer your girlfreind have, clip from a revue from http://www.product-reviews.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The NX600-HD was already a good laptop but the NX600-HDX, with the X meaning Xtreme you really are in for a treat.
According to Cheap Laptops the processor used is the 2.8GHz Intel Core2Duo, which works hard with the 4GB of RAM, you get a 200GB 7200rpm hard drive and the sexy NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT 512MB graphics card. The Evesham Zieo NX600-HDX has a 17-inch display that helps to show of the truly amazing graphics.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If this the computer are the a lot of power, so try to reinstall TFP, and take a look at the driver for the graphic card if it up to date.
Robert
Also note certain versions of SketchUp are, or are not, compatible with TFP versions......
Typically newer SketchUp versions will not import into older versions of TFP.....which may not be the case here, but always good to check compatibility.
BTW, as fyi, ver. 8 of SketchUp is now released (9-1-10) with some new features that may appeal to some/many people. SU is always a good resource tool to work along with/supplement TFP and vice-versa. I also use other 3D programs....using the best tool I have for the job at hand....every project seems a bit different. And even 2D tools are handy to use with TFP....for things like making textures or for "adjusting" a rendered final image....often faster/better than using TFP alone.
Hi,
Thanks for the replies and sorry for the really late reply on my behalf!
We still have issues relating to the import of sketchup files. Interestingly the Dell has started playing up and will not import sketchup 8 files. I experimented by creating a similar object in the same way using sketchup 7.1 and that works!
the file that doesn't import looks like this when you import it:
(http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9753/importfail.jpg)
i am wondering if it's to do with the order the software was installed!
the plot thickens!
cheers
Dave
edit: nope. the evesham still doesn't work :(
Hi Dave,
Don't know what you are importing but by those dimensions it is VERY LARGE!!
What happens when you use the Import Wizard? (and change the scale)
Allan
Hi Allan,
yes, they are quite large... amusingly so.
To keep things simple all i produced was a 3d box around 300mm cubed. When i created it in sketchup 7.1 it imports fine into the dell. When i create it it sketchup 8 i get presented with the screen above. It's like it doesn't pick up the dimensions properly. The Evesham also still doesn't work with either even though i un-installed both pieces of software and installed again between reboots.
it's a real shame and causing us both a great deal of frustration.
Dave
Dave,
Would you like to post your Box.skp so I can see how it reacts for me?
Did you try the Improt Wizard?
Allan
Hi Allan,
Please find attached box done in version 7.1 and version 8, both created in exactly the same manner
Version 7.1 imports with no problem no matter how i do it. Version 8 doesn't import no matter how i try - and yes i did use the import wizard.
http://www.filehosting.org/file/details/187102/box8.skp
http://www.filehosting.org/file/details/187103/box7.1.skp
thanks
Dave
Hi Dave,
Well I had the same results as you, if not worse. Box 7.1 was OK but Box8 gave the same dialog box as you got but then crashed TFP V15 and also Envisioneer 6.1 (which will become TFP V15.1). There is an Env 6.2 out now - maybe it will be OK with SKP 8.
Sketchup 8 was only released in January 2010 (going by Doug's post earlier) and TFP goes back into 2009, so TFP would not be able to deal with any new things in SKP 8, presumably leading to the crashes etc. If you use SKP 8 and save as V7 it should be OK.
By the way you can post SKP files direct to the forum (and many other file types) - just click the Additional Options... link to the lower left of the Reply box.
Allan
Hi Allan,
thanks for verifying that for me - i thought i was going mental! You did give me an idea though; I tried to save my box as different sketchup versions to import into TFP but that failed too - i got to saving as version 4 before giving up. But this is on the evesham again, i've not tried the dell yet - it's getting late here and i need to go to bed!
is it worth contacting technical support and just pointing them to this post?
thanks
Dave