Feature Request: Add Beast Mode!

[Benham_Design]

I think we can all agree that one of the things we like most about SketchUp is how intuitive it is to use. We can have an idea and quickly sketch it out without having to deal with a lot of complicated CAD tools getting in the way.

But then, once we have our ideas out and we want to develop them further, we could really use those complicated CAD tools.

So, I would like to propose what I call Beast Mode, which would be activated using the TAB key. I think the TAB key is the most intuitive key for this use case.

Here are some examples of how I think it would work.

1. You want to push pull a curved surface:
You type P to activate the native push-pull tool, then hit the TAB key to activate Beast Mode.

The tab key brings up a pop-up box with additional push-pull options, similar to Fredo’s Joint Push Pull.
Then you can continue tapping the TAB key to highlight the variant of push-pull you want. Once the one you want is highlighted, hit the Enter key, and the variant you selected is active and ready to use.

2. The arc tool:
Tap the A key to start the native tool. The tab key brings up all the other native arc tools, such as 3-point arc, etc. It would also bring up the arc tools, similar to the extension “Tools on Surface.”
I don’t always remember which extension has the version of Arc I want to manipulate; I know it is arc-shaped. Having all the arc options under that tab key would solve the problem of hunting down and fumbling through different extensions to find the option I want.

3. Offset tool
Beast Mode could group similar tools. The native offset tool obviously does an offset, but we could also group similar offsets, like Fredo Corner, offset your radii, or bevel edges. There may be an extension that offsets curved surfaces that I don’t know about that could be added to the Beast Mode function. I would then know about it because once I hit the TAB key, it would bring up all the similar tools available for me to explore and use.

4. Even the Selection Tool Can Benefit
Space bar for the native tool, then TAB would bring up the lasso tool, or something similar to the select curves extension, and all those relevant selection toys.

Further Development
Each of the native tools could be reviewed and further developed to add additional functionality activated by the TAB key. SketchUp can either develop its own tools to expand on the native tools or work with extension developers to break up their extensions so they fit into Beast Mode.
For example, the Tools On Surface extension would need to be broken up.
It has an arc on surface that would go under the native “A” arc tool
Circles and Ovals will need to go under the native “C” circle tools.
Excetera, excetera.

There are lots of benefits to developing a Beast Mode.

1. It is in keeping with the intuitive nature of using SketchUp, but allows a place for SketchUp to develop more advanced tools that many of us are looking for.
2. It puts those advanced tools in an intuitive place so that users can learn and be aware of the advanced features available to them.
3. Having them in an intuitive place behind the TAB key makes it easily accessible without breaking your flow state. Searching for extensions to do the things that you don’t regularly do breaks the flow state
4. It frees up screen real estate by not clogging it with toolbars/icons of various extensions that you use occasionally.
5. Frees up keyboard shortcuts by having similar tools nested in a single keyboard shortcut “TAB”
6. It would be an intuitive way for people to find additional functionality right at their fingertips without having to waste time searching for an extension.

The main driving force behind my desire to have this tool developed is that it wouldn’t ruin the ease and intuitiveness of using SketchUp but put all the advanced tools right at my fingertips without breaking my flow state to find an extension to a tool hidden in a drop-down menu, or a feature that I don’t even know about because it is in an extension I have never heard of.

[francisquitof]

I agree with some of your requests, the bevel tool should be native and it would be nice to be able to make multiple offsets, but the beast mode doesn’t make sense to me, you can already change the behavior of some tools by taping Ctrl/Cmnd and Alt/Option keys and a lot of people don’t know about those, adding another one will make it less intuitive for beginners. There should be added more tools for organic modeling like loft and subdivision surface natively, and more tools to make it more BIM friendly.

[endlessfix]

This is essentially an argument to include functionality currently available in various extensions to the native SketchUp code. There are many threads here on the forum discussing the pro and cons, the complications and difficulties of this idea. It’s been an ongoing conversation for many years. I think I summarize the gist as: It’s a welcome idea but the devil is in the details. There is a wide ranging set of opinions on which extensions and functionality should be incorporated, what’s important, what’s superfluous, some are concerned that the coding effort to include more advanced functions will significantly raise the subscription price, others are concerned about the UI becoming over complicated. A quick search will reveal many threads of similar kinds of discussions. Here are some recent relevant things.

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[Benham_Design]

As you pointed out, this has been an ongoing topic, which makes me think that SketchUp users are looking for something similar to be developed.

With the concern for added cost, my hope is that our subscription dollars ARE going to the development of new tools that the subscribers are asking for. Otherwise, they shouldn’t call it a subscription because we would just be renting the software if we were not getting new things added. Like a subscription to a magazine: you are getting new articles to read with each issue.

As far as the UI becoming too complicated, not complicating the UI is one of the driving forces behind my idea. SketchUp would look and act just as it does now, but when you want to pull up additional functionality, you are one keystroke away from pulling up an expanded tool set similar to the native tool you are using.

With the concern of which extensions get added, I think there are some no-brainers and common-sense tools that we could start with. Then, as the feature is developed, the tool palette can be added on to based on user feedback. When you hit the tab key, it can open a list of 5 similar tools or 10 similar tools. I don’t think it would be much of a concern that the list gets out of control, as there are only so many ways to draw a circle or an arc.

The real challenge is getting people to accept change. The vast majority of the time, when I have submitted a feature request, there are always people willing to point out all the ways it won’t work without offering solutions or additional ideas to help improve the original idea behind the feature requests.

I think it is human nature to be afraid of change. This is why I pitched my idea of having advanced functions for each native tool behind the TAB key. This way, SketchUp will look the same as it does now for all users who love the simple interface, but have the advanced functions ready to go for those who want them. So, if you fear change, this feature request won’t affect you, but it is there for you when you are ready to explore more advanced modeling.

[dezmo]

@Benham_Design

the TAB key. This way, SketchUp will look the same as it does now for all users

I disagree with this. The TAB key can be freely assigned to any command as a shortcut key. Also on Mac - as far as I know - it is necessary to focus on the measurement field. So not all users do it the same way at the moment. Currently the Ctrl Alt Shift are the keys that could be used inside the tool, however these can have functions for each Tool already. In other words, it is not as easy to do as you describe.

However I’m not completly against your idea, but perhaps isteed of using TAB key, you can associate A key, for “Arc tools group”; hitting it - the A key - several times will cycle through the Arc, 2 Point Arc, 3 Point Arc, Pie.

Similar way “Selection tools group” hitting the Space key firs time will select the Select tool, hitting second time will select the Lasso, hitting 3rd time will select the Select tool again.
…and so on.

[DGSketcher]

@francisquitof

you can already change the behavior of some tools by taping Ctrl/Cmnd and Alt/Option keys and a lot of people don’t know about those

As @francisquitof has indicated there are already native “Beast” options available. Beast mode could effectively draw attention to those options by adding icons, but conversely I can do without the screen clutter or the need to remember each function of a 100 more icons. In many cases users will be caught in a trade off between the time it takes to hit “tab”, identify the required icon and move your mouse to click on it, or just hitting a key or keys to select or change the required tool’s actions with shortcut keys.

[DGSketcher]

Perhaps slightly off topic, but for me Beast Mode would see the implementation of a toolbar where the user can define their own icons and assign a macro of shortcut keystrokes or even commands, (much like the 3DConnexion software) without resorting to Ruby.

[AK_SAM]

I quite like the idea in principle.

I also use many extensions but typically only 1 specific tool from each. I dislike extensions that try to change my workflow or interface by adding 9 tools that duplicate or overlap with native tools.

We have discussed previously that Adobe has similar functions where you can icons to reveal additional icons/tools beneath them. The shortcut key (by default) cycles through the tools (similar to the new eraser functions in sketchup).

I think the purpose of the FR can be met by SketchUp icons that can be dragged & dropped into a custom “stack” - and include extensions within this.

We could even have the ability to create a custom tool icon and add that to the toolbar. The icon would need to be assigned a shortcut key. So, a simple approach would be for the tool icon to simply show a picture of the shortcut key, eg F, which may be the shortcut have assigned to “Flatten Faces” tool (extension).

I do note that many extensions allow their toolbars to be customised (removing unnecessary functions) and then those mini-toolbars can be arranged into sketchup’s toolbar.

Though I do agree that hunting for extension toolbars can be annoying (especially when they float across different monitors, or if you need to update or reload an extension).

Looking ahead further , to Stacking even more icons, I can also see benefit in having different modes such as Architectural Drafting mode, or Organic Modelling mode. Each would have different icons stacked under the main tool.
Sometimes i work in timber construction, sometimes in city planning…totally different tools/extensions required for each. Would be nice to clean up my interface by removing the clutter of what i dont need on a particular day.