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How to create an proper 2D FloorPlan and FloorPlanIcon
Hello,
I am creating an 2D wharehouse floorplan, a lot of object that I need do not exists. For now I want to create multiple icons for the object that I can not find. Following the instructions from Dorin I was able to create an working sh3f. When I now use the icon in an plan the lines are not always visible in all zoom levels, how can I fix this?
The pallet seal-machine also called pallet wrap-machine has a size from 172x443cm. It is created in Inkscape and exported as png 1634 x 4191px
What is the best way to create good images for the floorplan and floorplanicon? I could not find good information on this. Maybe i will create an 3D object later, but even then I will use the FloorPlanIcon permanently.
This is my image (save text below as â.svgâ file)
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?> <!-- Created with Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/) -->
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Re: How to create an proper 2D FloorPlan and FloorPlanIcon
When I now use the icon in an plan the lines are not always visible in all zoom levels, how can I fix this?
I've seen something similar and it is always with SVG and thin lines. Just a guess, but it might have something to do with the calculation of the SVG data towards the screen display. Sometimes very thin lines seem to "fall between pixels" (of course not, but it looks like that). Try converting the image to a PNG and use it as a plan icon. For me it solved it in most cases. If that still doesn't work try thickening the very thin lines.
What is the best way to create good images for the floorplan and floorplanicon? I could not find good information on this.
Any image creation program you feel comfortable with will do. For example GIMP or Krita. Sweet Home 3D can handle different image formats but I mostly use PNG, it scales well and supports transparency.
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Re: How to create an proper 2D FloorPlan and FloorPlanIcon
Thanks for your response Keet,
As i mentioned in the start post i have export the svg to png
It is created in Inkscape and exported as png 1634 x 4191px
The exported image gives the problems.
What thickness of the lines can you advice?
What is the best way to create good images for the floorplan and floorplanicon? I could not find good information on this.
Here i am more thinking about what size should the images be for the Icon and PlanIcon. how many dpi should i use. What are the best lines to use, think of style, thickness and maybe even color to get a better view. For the moment i keep the PlanIcons in "black/white". but some dark green or dark blue can give an better result on screen/print, that why i ask. Are there some common traps? like putting to many details in the PlanIcon, at print time it is unclear what is is.
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Re: How to create an proper 2D FloorPlan and FloorPlanIcon
What thickness of the lines can you advice?
You will have to experiment because it depends on the overall size of your image. Think of it like this: When you scale down the planicon you added to the 2d view then everything in the image shrinks. The same occurs when zooming. That will cause thin lines to "disappear" because they get too thin to display. Use an invisible box of 163.4x419.1 for your 1634 x 4191px image for that 2D symbol: same aspect ratio. In most cases a much lower resolution will work perfectly fine and will better show what happens with thin lines.
Check the pixel size of each image and resize the invisible box to the same aspect ratio for the 2D symbol. Obviously too many details will get lost when you shrink the object in your 2D pane so leave them out if possible. That is most likely what happens with the thin lines. If your intention is to print the result then keep in mind that most printers have a relatively low 300 PPI resolution. For that it's useless to create planicons with a much higher resolution. The same goes for on-screen display. If you create them using a 4000K monitor the same images will show less detail on a lower resolution monitor. Thin lines you see on a 4000K monitor might get lost for someone else.
Here i am more thinking about what size should the images be for the Icon and PlanIcon. how many dpi should i use. What are the best lines to use, think of style, thickness and maybe even color to get a better view. For the moment i keep the PlanIcons in "black/white". but some dark green or dark blue can give an better result on screen/print, that why i ask. Are there some common traps? like putting to many details in the PlanIcon, at print time it is unclear what is is.
I think the most important thing is to create all images in the same style and with the same amount of detail. They should all look like they belong to the same set: consistency. All color, or all B&W. You can make a difference between signs and machines. The same for size. Use the same ratio image<>box for every 2D symbol. You mentioned a machine of 172x443cm. Create an image of 172x443px on a box of 17.2x44.3cm (1:10). Or simply use 1:1 if your 2D plan allows it (box also 172x443cm). Use the same ratio for other machines and objects. Notice I wrote "172x443px", not "1720x4430px". Such high resolutions are usually wasted on a 2D plan but you can always try and see if it looks different. 172x443px might be a little too low but you get the idea
And maybe the most important one: It's a 2D floorplan, not a high quality photo rendering of an interior. The idea of a floorplan is to show placing of elements, distances between objects, and overall area spaces, etc. That doesn't require highly detailed planicons.
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Re: How to create an proper 2D FloorPlan and FloorPlanIcon
1. Keet is right about using the png format. Anyway the SH3D convert top images in png format accordingly with icon resolution from Settings. 2. InkScape is very good for what you want. 3. I've tested your file and I've seen that you've exported only a small part of your design.(A4 size) Use Edit->Resize Page to Selection before export as png. 4. For SH3D it is a huge object with very tiny lines (Once again, Keet is right.). I suppose is not the only one object and you will want to see or print the hole plan. Zooming out, the lines will become illegible. It's explainable wile is difficult to see a strand of hair from 50~100 m height.(At least for me). So, I've increase the Stroke Style at 2 cm. 5. Here is your modified file.
---------------------------------------- A computer program does what you tell it to do, not what you want it to do. Murphy's Law When all else fails, read the instructions. Murphy's Law If you don't like "AS IS", DIY. Dorin's law
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Re: How to create an proper 2D FloorPlan and FloorPlanIcon
Dorin made a very good point that I forgot to mention: the icon size in your preference settings. The highest setting is 1024x1024. A little warning: with furniture icons in top view and the highest resolution your project may get slow when you have many objects with detailed images.
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Re: How to create an proper 2D FloorPlan and FloorPlanIcon
Dorin, thanks for the update. For me there is no need to change the page size in Inkscape because i export the whole document, The updated lines show a real difference. I need to test in my project onscreen and export how it looks, or find other ways to make it more visible.
Keet, thanks for the max size, i had not noticed that, so i will be testing with smaller images as well.
I will be testing and hoop to post an update end of the week.
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Re: How to create an proper 2D FloorPlan and FloorPlanIcon
I've retested your original file. The bad news: It's difficult to make different library for different projects. What could be good for one could be wrong for other. In all the cases you will have a limited range of good view in SH3D plan view.
The good news: If you print the plan as pdf you will have a correct view. Let the program to choose the Best fit scale at first attempt. In this way you could keep your 1mm thickness lines.
To use some colors it is a good idea but depend on who look at them. You could add a legend with explanations to the plan.
PS I have to thank you because of you I've was forced to update the creation script.
---------------------------------------- A computer program does what you tell it to do, not what you want it to do. Murphy's Law When all else fails, read the instructions. Murphy's Law If you don't like "AS IS", DIY. Dorin's law