Hey guys.

I'm a new PhlatPrinter user -- I'm trying to get used to the software, before actually buying the PhlatPrinter. However, I'm finding LOTS of roadblocks with respect to the software...

I've downloaded the Sketchup software, but I'm not sure what "template" to choose when it first starts. How do I size my work area, so that I know I won't try to cut outside the boundaries of the PhlatPrinter?

I've also downloaded the PhlatScript software, and I'm having problems getting it installed. There are no instructions on where to put the files, and I can't find any kind of "setup.exe" file to run.

I've looked at the file extensions, and put those files in folders with same-named extensions. However, when I start Sketchup, there are no new buttons. This is truly a frustrating mystery to me.

Please understand that there are many ParkFlyer pilots out there in the world, who have never messed with a CNC machine, or a CAD package. We need instructions that WE will understand -- from the very beginning. Please do not take anything for granted.

Thank you!
Lt. Loughead

 

Start here and watch this video:
viewtopic.php?f=65&t=68

And read this thread, especially page 3:
viewtopic.php?f=65&t=2

and then see what questions you have left, come back and ask.
Dave

 

The PhlatBoys toolbar option still does not show up under VIEW --> Toolbars.

 

Okay -- I managed to get the toolbar to show up, but I can't draw anything. When I use the pencil, or try to draw a box, it acts like it's drawing something, but there's nothing there.

Also, I'm using the PhlatBoyz Template, and all I see is a white screen -- I can't zoom in, or out.

Frustrated,
Lt. Loughead

 

It seems to have something to do with "Large Buttons". When I turn it off, I can see what I'm drawing, and and zoom in and out. When I turn it on, everything freezes.

 

Ugh -- you guys don't seem to understand.

The videos don't help -- they assume the software installs without any problems. My problem is, what do I do to get it set up right in the first place?!

I can't see the desktop! I can't see any lines I'm "drawing". I can't fill anything with the "fill" function.

Quite simply, the software doesn't seem to work.

I need someone to create a video of exactly how to install the software, and set up the preferences properly. The existing videos show an ANCIENT version of the software -- the new menus don't even look the same!

HELP!

 

Lt., Let's start at the beginning.
1) Are you running a MAC or a P.C.?
2) What Operating System is your computer running?
3) You say you've downloaded the PhlatScript software, but the PhlatScript is a RubyScript plugin that runs inside Mach3. So, which version of Mach3 dir you download and install? You want version 2.60, available from this page, about 2/3 of the way down: http://www.phlatboyz.com/the-process-cr ... ur-design/
4) I'd suggest you download everything again from the links on the previous page - you could have gotten a bad download for some reason.
5) Then I'd suggest you UN-install Sketchup AND Mach3 completely
6) Then re-install them both, following the directions from http://www.phlatboyz.com/the-process-cr ... ur-design/
7) Check here to see if you mis-followed something: http://www.phlatforum.com/index.php

Why? Because that's what I had to do before things started working correctly. I was suffering a severe case of "the other left hand" syndrome, and kept making the same mistake when installing some piece of the software set. OH, btw, "defragmenting" my hard-drive was part of the solution - it was causing the 'puter to hash up the program files.

 

Well, I can't say I know what is going on, but it might be something to do with the template. I agree with the others, try uninstalling and re-installing Sketchup. Make sure that you can draw properly with just Sketchup. Then install just the Phlatscript, no templates yet. I too had to restart Sketchup several times to get the toolbar to show up. You don't really need the template/watermark stuff. Try it without and see how you get along.

Dorsal mentiones Mach3, are you trying to install that as well? (just to make sure we are not getting applications confused)
Dave

 

Well, I suppose that could be part of my problem. I was not aware that Mach3 needed to be installed (not until I tried to actually PRINT something).

I'll try that next, and report back.

Thank you!

 

LOL -- that link doesn't point to anything. That's frustrating!!!

Honestly, guys. If I had already purchased the $700 PhlatPrinter, and then expereinced this level of frustration with the software, I would feel as if I had been scammed! There needs to be a LOT more structure to the software install instructions than currently exists.

 

That's fine -- but just understand that such lack of support and "ease of install" is going to keep lots of people from buying a PhlatPrinter.

I had this great idea that I would buy a PhlatPrinter, and let all my internet friends download the software, design aircraft, and send me their DXF files -- then I would cut the aircraft out for them, and mail it to them. However, the complexity of installing the software makes this nothing but a dream! :roll: It's just too darned complicated!

Update -- I'm working on the Vista system now. I've uninstalled the Google Sketchup software, and deleted the Sketchup folders. I'm currently running a Disk Defragmenter program, which is scheduled to automatically run every Wednesday night at 1:00 AM. (Before you ask, I almost never turn off this computer, so I'm sure the disk is defragmented once per week.)

When the disk defragmenter is finished, I will reinstall the software...

Here is a screen capture of what I will be installing. Please let me know if I've somehow downloaded the "wrong version"... Attached files

 

I think people really want to help out, but from what you described something somewhere is not meeting system requirement of Sketchup. Now if you are running vista, you should have no issue with the hardware requirements, so perhaps it's a vista thing, and that is what I thought SU7 was released for... I don't run vista, can't say for sure, nor could I even if I was running it. As far as XP goes, the problem is more likely a video card issue, either way you need to get a good look at the requirements from google:
http://www.google.com/support/sketchup/ ... swer=36208

Also you DO NOT need Mach 3 for Sketchup or the Phatscript to work. PERIOD.

Not seeing the problem exactly start here:
Uninstall sketchup.
Reboot.
Get online get updated video card drivers.
Install per mfg instructions.
Reboot.
Resinstall sketchup.
Thank the lord actually flying model airplanes is easier the keeping PC working properly.

-Keep in mind the problem could be more deeply rooted, is your virus scanner up to date, are you clean of ad-ware / spam-ware / mal-ware?
-When is the last time you ran a defrag?

The list goes on and on, and thats why it's so important to be very specific.

 

lol you beat me to it!
But you get the idea here...
CAn you get a screen shot of what it looks like after you draw a line, (just hit the print screen button then open paintshop and go to paste).?

 

Windows XP -- Windows Vista is also supported by Google Sketchup
* Software
o Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher. -- Yes -- Internet Explorer 7.0
o Google SketchUp Pro requires .NET Framework version 2.0. For more information about the .NET framework, click here. -- .NET is loaded, and I do not receive an error message saying the .NET framework is missing.
SketchUp will run on 64bit versions of Windows, but it will run as a 32bit application. -- Running a 32bit operating system.
* Recommended hardware
o 2+ GHz processor. -- 1.73 GHz processor
o 2+ GB RAM. -- 1 GB RAM
o 500 MB of available hard-disk space. -- 81.2 GB available
o 3D class Video Card with 512+ MB of memory or higher. Please ensure that the video card driver supports OpenGL version 1.5 or higher and up to date. -- Not sure how to check this.
o 3 button, scroll-wheel mouse. -- Yes -- doesn't everyone have one of these?
* Minimum hardware
o 600 MHz processor.
o 128 MB RAM.
o 128 MB of available hard-disk space.
o 3D class Video Card with 128 MB of memory or higher. Please ensure that the video card driver supports OpenGL version 1.5 or higher and up to date.

So, I meet the MINIMUM hardware requirements, but not the RECOMMENDED hardware requirements -- with the possible exception of the video card. Does anyone know how I can check this?

 

If you get a bunch of flashing going on as you try to draw with Sketchup. uncheck "hardware acceleration"in preferences.

 

Nope -- it's not a Sketchup support problem. I installed Sketchup 7 on the Vista machine, and it worked great. Then, I installed the PhlatScript code, and enabled it -- and everything went to hell (the first thing I see is a BLACK screen, and I can't see anything I'm doing).

I'm going to go back to the XP Professional machine (less RAM and a lower speed microprocessor) to see if that (uninstalling and reinstalling) fixes my problem.

I will report back soon.