First Version of 'Make Recursive...' Tool Complete!

I'm proud to announce, that this 'brain damaging' (for implementation) tool is ready. So now it's time to get back to adaptation of old tools ('Blend', 'Points to Mesh', 'Control Points', 'Geometrically Smoothed Curve', 'Stick Groups to Mesh').
The above video shows how to use 'Make Recursive...' tool and gives some theoretical explanations about how it works.
Here is a link to download this stage of 'LSS Toolbar': lss_toolbar_2_0_pre_alpha_1.zip
This is 'pre-alpha' version (use it on your own risk).

'Make Recursive...' Tool of 'LSS Toolbar'

 
 The idea of this brand new tool is making possible recursively defined group creation. Plugin applies 'parent' group transformation to each new nested group. The above screen-shot illustrates only four levels of 'Recursive depth' and only four nested groups within 'root' group.

LSS Toolbar Voxelate Tool

This video shows brand new 'Voxelate' tool processing demonstration.

'Voxelate' tool generates a group made of 3D 'pixels' from picked geometry group.
Combined use of 'Voxelate' and 'Sketchyphysics' plugin can make your day!

LSS Matrix 1.1

The new version of 'LSS Matrix' plugin for SketchUP is able to analyse what's going on inside geometry groups.
This first step has a lot of limitations, but also process faces materials.

It is necessary to enable internal changes tracking by setting 'Scan for changes inside groups' option to 'Yes' within 'LSS Matrix' global settings dialog.

Here is a video, which demonstrates new feature processing

Link to download LSS Matrix ver. 1.1 alpha: lss_matrix_1_1_alpha.zip

LSS Matrix

About
It is an extension of Sketchup, which allows advanced copying of groups and component instances.

Installation
- Download «lss_matrix_1_0_beta.zip»
- Unpack contents of «Plugins» subfolder into SketchUp «Plugins» subfolder
- Unpack contents of «Resouces» subfolder into SketchUp «Resources» subfolder
- Enable 'LSS Matrix Toolbar': choose Sketchup Main Menu>> View>> Toolbars>> LSS Matrix Toolbar

Usage
«LSS Matrix» has preprocessing stage:
it is necessary to make an initial copy instance and «controlling» copy instance(s) before «LSS Matrix» dialog launching.

After preparations:
- Choose Plugins>> LSS Matrix>> Lss Matrix Dialog command from the main menu or click appropriate button of «LSS Toolbar»
- Pick the initial instance
- Pick copy instance(s)
- Adjust settings
- Click «Apply» to generate array of copies

Lss Matrix Usage Overview

View more PowerPoint from Кирилл Баннов

Chronolux ver. 1.1 for SketchUP

Version 1.1 updates.

New features:

•  Interactive Resize Tool
•  Pick Test Surface Tool
•  Pick Window Face Tool

Updates:

•  Global Settings dialog
•  Time Settings dialog

Fixes:

• Refresh command works properly even if test points were added inside a group
• Report maker generates report without duplicating information about SVF and WVF

Overview of New Features Demo Video

Visit LSS site for more information and download.

Chronolux 1.0 Beta for Sketchup 8M1

Description: Extension for Google Sketchup written on Ruby. Its goal is to test insolation duration and SVF.

Usage:
1) install the program using installer or unpack files from zip-file:
- "chronolux_ext.rb" and "Chronolux" folder unpack to Google Sketchup "Plugins" folder
- "chronolux.strings" and "chronolux" folder from "Resources/en-US" unpack to Google Sketchup "Resources/en-US" forlder
2) enable "LSS Chronolux Toolbar" Sketchup Main Menu>>View>>Toolbars>> LSS Chronolux Toolbar
3) open a Sketchup model, where insolation and/or SVF testing is to be made (model has to be geo-located)
3) add some test points to perform insolation and/or SVF testing

ver. 1.0. video:

 

Terms and Definitions

Duration of Insolation at a given point is the time period while direct sunlight reaches the test point.
Insolation is the solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface. It is measured by the amount of solar energy received per square centimetre per minute. (Note, that Chronolux does not calculate insolation, but only its duration).
SVF (sky view factor) is the extent of sky observed from a point as a proportion of the total possible sky hemisphere. (A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY).

ver 1.0 beta 1
fixes
- resource file (chronolux.strings) has a proper syntax now
- some patches were added in code to avoid encoding issues in localized versions

Visit project web-site for more info: http://sites.google.com/site/lssoft2011/