Tutorial SketchUp SimTools Plugin

Hello,

I'm new a user, so I started building my 6DOF project using SketchUp tutorial, but I realized that the SketchyPhysics integration with SimTools lack a lot of information and patterns.
So I transformed the Wackelstuhl.rb into a plugin. The plugin has a menu, with just one item.

The plugin controls the socket initialization and plugin initialization, so you can't open multiple sockets with SimTools. It also syncronize the reading data from SimTools, avoiding a lot of ruby errors/exceptions prints on ruby console when SimTools is paused or not running. It also print all the axis data on the ruby console.
The plugin is really simple, but it is useful.
You must have SketchyPhysics installed, check the repository for the latest version:
https://sketchy-physics.github.io/page/index.html

1. Download the zip file and extract it on SketchUp plugin folder (same location of SketchyPhysics), normally C:\Users\****\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2016\SketchUp\Plugins
2. Open SketchUp, click on Window -> Preferences -> Extensions, then flag "SimTools"
3. Go to Extensions menu and click on "SimTools - Connect to Port 3157"
4. Go to Window menu and open the Ruby Console

That's it, now remember to configure correctly your SimTools Interface Settings, if you need to change the Port or the Output Interface, you need to edit the plugin main.rb file on C:\Users\****\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2016\SketchUp\Plugins\SimTools\main.rb
Soon I will add a configuration menu on the plugin.

Default settings for Interface Settings:

• Interface Output: <Axis1a>;<Axis2a>;<Axis3a>;<Axis4a>;<Axis5a>;<Axis6a>
• Port 3157
• IP 127.0.0.1
• Output Rate 20ms (You can reduce to 10 if you want)

Ruby Console Output:

Thanks for creating the plugin (@Gustavo Massaneiro ).
I have the link between simtools and Sketchup working, but now I want to input data from Simtools Video Ride Studio instead of using the sliders within the "output Testing" screen.

Do you know if its possible to import data from a simtools plugin (video ride plugin) then output the motion inside sketchup with SketchyPhysics?
Port numbers are the same (3157).
Could this be a limitation and what you explained in the first post? (can't open multiple sockets with SimTools).

( @yobuddy )I'm also looking to show the Simtools simulation running with port 3157 with video creator player but sadly no joy. You can see the data is being sent the simtools game engine but it stops there!

Any Help would be great. Thanks

Thanks @yobuddy.
I will try 4123. I previously was able to connect Simtools to a SketchUp model using port 3157 (not with the VRC data, just ). I will try simtools simulator with 4123. Hopefully if that works I can also try changing the ruby code for the SketchUp plugin to also use 4123.

When the video plays, the field in the top green section shows the data. That works ok thanks.

I will take a screenshot of the axis assignment when I'm back in the office on Thursday. If it's not too much trouble, do you have an example screenshot from a working axis assignment screen using 6 fields (surge, heave, sway, yaw, pitch and sway). I'm keeping the right field (I think %) to about 50.

Also I need to keep an eye on the 'interface - output' field settings on the 'interface settings ' page for simtools simulator. As its different format to Gustavo settings for the Sketchup plugin. I think the simulator uses [<Axis1a>].

Thanks again yobuddy for your help.

Hi YoBuddy,

I have a video running through 'video ride player' to simtools. Simtools display data fine in the green area (Game Data- Import) of the tuning fields.

Next - Open '2DOF Virtual sim' and start on port 4123. Sim doesn't work and tuning fields not working.

Same as issue with the Sketchup link using the same port 4123.

Only way I can get the Game Data- Import fields to work again is to restart my computer!

I have been running through this for a few hours now.

I tried capturing Max and Min and save while the video is running but no joy.

Interface layout for Simtools to Virtual Sim
A<Axis1a>][B<Axis2a>][C<Axis3a>][D<Axis4a>][E<Axis5a>][F<Axis6a>]
Interface layout for Simtools to Sketchup.
<Axis1a>;<Axis2a>;<Axis3a>;<Axis4a>;<Axis5a>;<Axis6a>

Is there something I am missing? Thanks

Thanks for your reply noorbeast

I did capture then Save the Max/Min value after I started the player.

Can you give me more details regarding Axis Assignment?
Checked orange or not determining which way each axis moves. I have uploaded my VideoRide Creator settings. Is it possible to understand how to calibrate Axis Assignment from that?

Thanks

Does it matter how the Interface layout is written?

Would this do the same job as
<Axis1a>;<Axis2a>;<Axis3a>;<Axis4a>;<Axis5a>;<Axis6a>
this
[A<Axis1a>][B<Axis2a>][C<Axis3a>][D<Axis4a>][E<Axis5a>][F<Axis6a>]

Are there any plans to create a discord channel for simtools? I think my beginner question maybe suited to Discord maybe? Thanks

I appreciate your help and links.
The FAQs will be bookmarked.

I have underestimated the depth of simtools and initial setup knowledge needed. I will need more time to reference Xsimulator and the manual.

A quick message to say it’s all working fine now.
Page 16 of the 2.6 documentation reads:

Next, we need to let Game Engine know where Game Manager is on your network.
“Open Game Manager on your Gaming Computer and click “Tools”. The IP address of the Game Manager is displayed as seen in the image below. “

I matched the network output to ip address shown to my unique ip shown inside the orange highlighted area (page 16). Instead I should have just written 127.0.0.1. !