[fv]

Hi, I need some help.
I try to export using the new plugin v 2.4 and its actually not working at all under autoMXM.
My system:
Macpro 8 core 4Gb ram on OSX 10.5.8
Sketchup 7

Problem.
Export to Maxwell takes about a few seconds for a 2,5 Mb SU model without autoMXM.
With autoMXM on export takes so much time I have to cancel it, export basicly impossible.

Can I use the old version of the Plugin and how can I reinstall the old plugin to export files to Maxwell v.2

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Francois

[fv]

I installed the older version of the plugin 2.2 and now I can get things to work again.
I wonder what difference is really between the 2 plugins as far as the exported files are concerned.
Francois

[Richard]

Mate others have commented on this on the SCF forums - I'd probably post it to the main forums, I think this forum might not be monitored!

[fv]

NL is working on it, they replied to my mail to them.

Others, do you mean me actually by the frv on the SCF forum ?

[Sheik]

Hi fv,
Did you check if the search path, (under the Use Automxm conversion checkbox in export properties), is pointing at the materials database folder?
Mine is looking under C:\Program Files\Next Limit\Maxwell\materials database\mxm files.
The plugin will search all folders under the spesified folder, so if it points at the root directory it will take a loong time to search the whole drive.
Sheik

[fv]

yes thanks, I did. The library path is correct. Its in the Maxwell 1.7 folder though but that should not be a problem, is it ?
Could the "% character" be a problem in the "Maxwell%1.7" when looking at the Maxwellrender.ini ?
I remember MXMreporter had more or less the same problem and it was corrected later in that plugin.

I also found out that my previous models all had .mxm named for the materials in the SU material panel in order to work. Those do not autoMXM anymore if I test them with the new plugin with small models (2 blocks and 2 materials).
So I changed a larger model (2,5Mb / 10 mxm textures ) with about 10 textures and changed all texture names into names without the .mxm at the end. No better results either, exporting stalls up to a point that its useless to wait for it.
Hope NL solves this problem as soon as possible.
As others also experience the same as I do it must be easy to reproduce at NL I suppose.
Francois

This is the read out of my Maxwellrender.ini file:
Render = TRUE
RenderMXI = FALSE
RenderMXIContinue = FALSE
RenderTime = 600.000000
RenderSampling = 25
RenderImage = .jpg
ChannelRender = TRUE
ChannelAlpha = FALSE
ChannelMaterialID = FALSE
ChannelNormal = FALSE
ChannelObjectID = FALSE
ChannelZBuffer = FALSE
LayerDirect = TRUE
LayerIndirect = TRUE
LayerDirectReflect = TRUE
LayerDirectRefract = TRUE
LayerIndirectReflect = TRUE
LayerIndirectRefract = TRUE
UseAutoMXM = TRUE
MXMPath = /Applications/Maxwell%1.7/materials%database/MXM%library
UseMultiLight = FALSE
ProtectGeometry = FALSE
LowPriority = FALSE
TextureSearchPath = %
CommandParameters = %
UseInstances = FALSE
UseGroupHierarchies = FALSE
UseGroupSeparate = TRUE
ChannelShadow = FALSE
ProxyObjects = FALSE
UseTransformations = TRUE

[chriskel]

Anybody else having trouble with the hdri browser in the new sketchup plugin?
On my computer it simply doesn't work, no window opens if you hit the ... button.

[fv]

I no longer use the new plugin. I think the new plugin was just updated to communicate with MAxwell v2 and they propably introduces some typos in the proces.

But I don't think we are a priority. The few users here and on other forums I looked at show only a handful of SU-Maxwell users. I almost wonder about the miracle of having a plugin at all...

[Richard]

Yes when you consider it took 10 days for the first reply to any SU question in this forum I certainly do imagine SU might eventually be dropped as a supported app! Paticularyly when you consider (wish I could remember his name right now) the chap who wrote the MXM reporter pluging on the SCF upated his plugin about 5 times in a week to get it working on both pc and mac platforms when he doesn't even own a mac!

Almost a shame NL don't let out the exporter rights to a third party who can sell the plugin as an alternative if it is not to be supported in the future!

[JDHill]

I can assure you, the SU plugin is not going to be dropped.

[stefan_kaplan]

The few users here and on other forums I looked at show only a handful of SU-Maxwell users. I almost wonder about the miracle of having a plugin at all...

There might not be loads of SU-Maxwell users writing stuff in the forums, but it is a fact that there are LOADS of SU-users who are waiting for at least an update to the big question: When do we see a working SketchUp-plugin for v2?

I can assure you, the SU plugin is not going to be dropped.

More info, please.

[fv]

The plugin should be completely rewritten to have it work like for instance Skindigo. Glare technologies (Skindigo) does not compete with NL, especially taken their wierd license policy into consideration. But its worthwhile for NL to take notice at how well and how elegant the Skindigo's plugin looks and works.

Anyhow, I had gotten used to the cluncky plugin and thought the new one would at least be a little better but no, it does not export at all...... I wish I had known this before I upgraded.

I will just wait and see and what happens. Would be nice if NL got a little more into writing a plugin that does justice to the ease of use of SU and the wonders that Maxwell can produce.

Its good to know there are still a lot of Maxwell-SU users out there. Wish just one posted a reply to confirm the autoMXM export bug under OSX I struggle with. As I understand the probem only occurs under Mac-OSX where others report no problems with PC's.
Francois

[Richard]

Maybe mate you could make some suggestions based on your experiences with the Indigo plugin as to how you see it as a better workflow!

Mind you I just decided to install it and have a go, but for me mate it is really clunky!!! I guess one could get experienced with it though without limits or guides on values (except those with sliders) one would have a heck of a lot of testing to do, especially as no manual seems to exist!

Tell you what man does it have some settings to understand!!!

[JDHill]

More info, please.

Just that I am working on a brand new plugin. It is very early in the process yet though to try to give you any info about it.

The plugin should be completely rewritten...

That's the general idea.

So, the situation is: (a) there will be a new plugin, (b) you need to be able to work in the meantime. The question, therefore is: how much time do I spend getting familiar with the code for the existing plugin, and trying to fix problems with it? Best case would be none, as this is antithetical to the process of writing a new plugin.

Therefore, what would be useful to me would be a very specific list of what you absolutely need fixed in the current plugin. I am not interested in adding any new features to it - that work would be completely wasted, so if there is something you can accomplish in Studio, for the time being, it would be most economical to adopt that as the strategy for now. Keep in mind also, that I do not necessarily know what the problems with the current plugin are; I know very little about it, in fact.

Don't ask me for a timetable, because I can't give you one; generally I have preferred not to let people know I am working on anything at all until there is something to show, but in this case I can see that there are questions about the future of the SU plugin, and I want to get out in front of that, hence my posting here now. This plugin will be done right, and that is my only concern.

[Richard]

JD that is great news!!!

I think the feeling has been as little has ever developed in the recent past any new development of the plugin has gone south!

I know there are a LOT of SU users on the PushPullBar who don't post here, I tend to get at least one or two direct PM's a week there regarding questions around SU>MR workflow and I think due to the level of response I give and information I've posted to the forums there and the quality of architectural design on that forum and hence the required image quality.

Unfortunately my usefulness to that end has died a bit as I'm not in the position at present to upgrade so there may well be a greater presence in the forums here as the take up of V2 expands!