Problem with importing 3D models to TFP Pro 15

[Judy Heindl]

Hi, Y'all!  It's me again. 

This time, I'm having a problem with importing 3D models into my TFP Pro 15.  I'm using Sketchup 7 and Windows 7, if that means anything. 

I also went back to my restore points, but that didn't help.  So, I'm including a screenshot of the window I get, whenever I try to bring in a model.  Now, this doesn't happen with the default models--just the ones I have from 3D Warehouse.   I really don't know what's going on here.  I've gotten this window with models before, in the past, but I'm getting it with EACH AND EVERY model I try to add! 

I appreciate the help, as usual, and if y'all need more info, I'll do my best to provide it! 

--Judy (LaughingChipmunk) 

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Judy,

I think the problem is that when TFP15 was released there was no such thing as Sketchup 7, so it does not fully understand what it is trying to import. If you can save the Sketchup model as version 6 before you import it into TFP15, it will probably work normally. I think the 3D Warehouse allows you to save as older versions.

Allan

[Judy Heindl]

Hi, Allan!

Ok, then I must have had an older version of Sketchup when TFP 15 came around.  I know I've upgraded Sketchup a couple times since then, but tonight, I went back to using version 7.  What I will do, is, I will go down another notch and re-install version 6..... I know where to find the older downloads.  3D Warehouse doesn't give many choices on the versions of the models, but I do know that Sketchup--including the newer versions--lets you save your models as older versions. 

I'll do that tomorrow, and let you know the results! 

Thank you, my friend!   

[Judy Heindl]

Hey Allan,

I've tried everything.....installing/uninstalling different versions of Sketchup, restoring previous versions of TFP Pro, repairing the project, re-saving my 3D models in an older version of Sketchup..... anything I could think of, I tried, but I can't fix my problem!  Now I'm thinking I'll just have to re-install my TFP--AGAIN!!  I don't want to, it's a pain in the butt.  Can you think of any other possible solutions?  What's weird, is that I can save any imported 3D models already in the project to the catalog--that's not a problem.  However, if I want to add a new 3D model, I can't.  Do you think something in TFP might be corrupted? 

Oh wait, Allan, I just remembered something..... I did an update/patch on my TFP PRO 15 recently....and I think this problem didn't start until after I did the update..... could that have something to do with my import problem? 

Thanks!
Judy

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Judy.

I don't think there is any point re-installing TFP. I mentioned saving as Sketchup 6 but it may even be 5. V15 is a long time ago!

The image you posted above has extremely large dimentions. I assume you reduced the size - did that not help?
How are you importing it, right click in the Catalogue tree or File/ Import  /Import Wizard?
Is the only problem that it does not display in the dialog box?
If you keep going does it import anyway, even though you can't see the object?
What is the file size of the object?  If it is very large that may be the cause. I imported a very large fancy sofa one time and it would only ever display bits of it.
Is it just one object that you are having problems with? If so, post it here and let me try it.

Allan

[Judy Heindl]

This happens with EVERY model I try to import--doesn't matter what it is, or what project I'm working on.  Yes, I changed the dimentions..... that didn't help, either.  Here's how I import:

Project is open, and in the floorplan view.  I click on the Interior tab.  Let's say I want to import a chair--I'll click on the furniture icon.  On the right, I'll right-click in the window and bring up that little window and choose "import from geometry" or however it goes.  I choose a 3D model chair from my collection on my hard drive, that I downloaded from Sketchup.  I click "open", and usually the window for the model opens up so I can re-size it, change the color, texture, or do whatever.  Then I drag it into my project.  But, since that window in my attachment keeps opening for each and every model, I can't do anything, can't put it into my project.  And, it doesn't matter what the original size of the model is, either. 

Is there a way to send you a video of me working my TFP?  I'm thinking if I make a vid and send it to you, then you can see exactly what I'm doing and what's going on.  This is the best I can describe the problem in words, and I'm totally baffled! 

In a way, I'm kind of glad I only do this for a hobby, but I can imagine the frustration working designers feel with their TFP's act up. 

Here's two more views from that window, btw. 

Judy

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Judy.

The description of what you are doing sounds OK but not sure about the ending. What you have described should, when you click OK, put the object into your catalogue. There after it should be in the catalogue list and you can then insert it into the model. That may be what you are doing but I was not sure from your description.

You could post a video, or zip it (4MB limit) or you could send  it to my email (alches AT iinet DOT net DOT au) but your description sounds fine (except maybe the ending process).

What happens however if you import it into the model using File / Import / Import Wizard? This will put into the model but not the Catalogue. You can however add it to the Catalogue later from the model. Give it a go if you haven't tried it before.

Allan

[Judy Heindl]

UPDATE:  After spending the last few days trying to find the solution to my problem, I now believe it is highly possible that an important file in my TFP Pro 15 that relates to the importing of 3D objects had been quarantined, purged and deleted by accident.  That's happened before in the past, can't remember if it was with TFP or another program--but it's a pain in the butt. 

I need to figure out if I can re-do the settings so that the files in quarantine don't purge, and if there's a Do Not Quarantine setting for certain files..... 

But anyhoo, yeah, I did everything I could think of and everything other people could think of, and I even switched from the Imperial Catalog to the Metric, but that didn't solve my problem.  I tried the Restore Previous Versions, opened up all the older catalogs I had saved...... did this, did that, but no success.  I honestly feel my only choice now is to re-install my TFP......again.....

In-between messing around with that, I tried out the trial version of TFP Pro 2015.  I honestly didn't care all that much for it.  But, that's another story for another post! 

Shout Out to Allan:  Thanks again for your help! 

I need to find out if there's a way to prevent an antivirus / malware program from deleting certain files.....? 

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Judy,

If you do reinstall the program it is recommended to turn off your anti virus and firewall during the installation. This prevents necessary files being erroneously detected as malicious.

Versions of TFP later than V16 are based on Punch software and are completely incompatible with V16 and previous versions. They would not open any existing projects you had created. If you are looking for a program that is a later version of the v15 you have, you would have to get Personal Architect. (www.PersonalArch.com). It will open V15 projects and it woks exactly the same but with new features.

Allan

[Judy Heindl]

Oh cool!  Thanks for telling me about both of those, Allan!  I was just about to do the re-install when something told me to just check this thread real quick.  Glad I did, I wouldn't have thought to turn off my antivirus and all that! 

I'm going to check out Personal Architect here in a bit, too.  :-) 

Judy

PS.  I think I was getting things mixed up-- I call the 3D objects "models", when a "model" is actually a floorplan project.  I need to call things by their proper names here. LOL