Release Notes

Check out what's new with FlexTools

● Recently updated

FlexTools Extension

v2.3.8 - 31/05/2020

Bug Fix

Fixed a bug that could cause some flex components to not work properly when specific scenes exist in the model.
Patched the dynamic components plugin so it stops throwing errors for users who have an apostrophe character " ' " in their user name.

v2.3.6 - 13/05/2020

Changes

Changed the extensions author (Appears in extension manager) from Frandzel3D to FlexTools.cc.

Bug Fixes

Improved flex components performance so they now work a bit faster.
Fixed a conflict with V-ray which would generate endless error messages in the console and could also lead to crashes.
Fixed a rare bug that could cause FlexTools to not activate or could cause Sketchup to crash on startup.
Fixed a bug where under certain circumstances activating with a new license key wouldn't work and changing a license keys wouldn't work either.

v2.3.2 - 22/12/2019

Improvements

- - Improved error messages.

Bug Fixes

- - Fixed a bug where repeat activations were needed every time Sketchup was restarted for specific packages (2017, BetaPack).
  - Fixed a loading error when the Dynamic Components plugin was disabled.

v2.3.0 - 10/12/2019

Improvements

- - Better UI/UX notifications and messages.
  - Suppressed annoying ruby warning messages that were appearing in the console.

v2.1.0 - 02/12/2019

Improvements

- - Added the ability to change the active license key in the FlexTools Manager.

Bug Fixes

- - Fixed a couple of bugs where FlexTools would fail to load because of broken file paths on international systems - Many thanks to Uriel Stern for bearing with us on this one.

v2.0.3 - 26/11/2019

Improvements

- - Behind the scenes improvements and bug fixes.

v1.11.0 - 21/08/2019

Improvements

- - Added toolbar help button for quick access to new help and resources page.

v1.10.8 - 06/08/2019

Improvements

- - Simplified Chinese translations updated.
  - Spanish translations updated.
  - Added compatibility with updated translation tool.

v1.10.5 - 10/06/2019

Improvements

- - Auto updates timeout improved for slower internet connections.
  - Traditional Chinese (TW) translations updated.
  - Japanese translations updated.

v1.10.3 - 10/04/2019

Bug Fixes

- - Fixed a bug that would cause the summary field in DCs to disappear if the language was set to automatic or to another language.

v1.10.1 - 01/04/2019

Bug Fixes

- - Fixed a critical bug that could cause the DC plugin to crash when using a localized version of FlexTools.

v1.10.0 - 27/02/2019

Enhancements

- - Added ability to 'Check for updates' button from within the FlexTools Manager.
  - New Indonesian translations added.
  - New Turkish translations added.
  - New Russian translations added.
  - Removed 'installation was successful' text after download/update to prompt users to restart Sketchup for the installation to actually be successful.
  - Added centering to the auto-update pop-up window to prevent unwanted mysterious consequences.

v1.9.4 - 01/02/2019

Enhancements

- - Simplified Chinese translations updated.

v1.9.3 - 17/01/2019

Enhancements

- - Spanish translations updated.
  - Japanese translations updated.

Bug Fixes

- - Fixed an error that would come up if the Dynamic Components plugin was disabled.
  - Fixed a bug in the auto-updates system - '->vtrue' would appear under certain conditions instead of the new package version.

v1.9.2 - 27/11/2018

Enhancements

- - New Japanese translation added to the core extension.
  - Portuguese and Spanish translations updated.
  - UI adjustments in FlexTools manager for the updates system.

Bug Fixes

- - Fixed a bug that would cause installations on slow networks to fail.
  - Fixed MacOS installation.
  - Fixed a bug where some translations wouldn't load correctly.

v1.9.0 - 21/11/2018

Enhancements

- - Overhaul of the automatic updates system.
  - See what packages you have installed (current existing packages)
  - Everything should now work normally after an auto-update process is done. After a restart the new changes will come into effect.
  - Better on-boarding UX - Disabled buttons being gray when activation needed a prompt will pop up.
  - Friendlier error messages 🙃

Bug Fixes

- - Reduced the amount of Sketchup restarts after an auto-update to 1.
  - Fixed an issue where after an auto-update WallCutter could stop working until Sketchup was restarted.
  - Fixed an issue where under some conditions an auto-update would fail.

v1.8.1 - 07/08/2018

Enhancements

- - Added a preview when placing an upright component.
  - Added ability to hide the Place Upright tool from the toolbar through the FlexTools manager.
  - 'place upright' button is now OFF by default on first install.

Bug Fixes

- - Fixed a bug in wallcutter on the mac when multiple models were open.
  - Fixed a bug that under some circumstances could cause Sketchup to crash on component placement using the 'place upright' tool.
  - Fixed a bug that added an extra undo step upon component placement.

Notes:

- An automatic update will appear for customers who have FlexPack Pro.
- The bugs were not present in FlexPack 2017.

FlexPack Pro ●

v1.23.1 - 03/07/2020

New

New 3 Sash FlexSlider (Multi sash slider still in production).

BugFix

Fixed a bug in FlexStairs component. Clicking with the interact tool to turn a stair into a landing wasn't working (regression).

v1.22.0 - 31/05/2020

New

New Flex Bifold component.

v1.21.2 - 30/04/2020

Enhancements

Updated FlexStairs with an option to lock in the the number of steps.
Added French translations for FlexWindow Arch, FlexDoor Glass and FlexRamp.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in FlexWindow where materials were missing from some of the sub-components.
Returned FlexWindow's default window setting to a single glass pane.
Fixed yet another typo in FlexDoor Glass ('Borrom' to Bottom).

v1.21.0 - 26/04/2020

New

New FlexWindow Arch component.

Enhancements

Sash Components

Added single/double/triple/quadruple glazing to all sash components.
Added the ability to extend the glazing into the sash's frame for the option of creating more realistic double-glazed windows through manual editing.
Moved all glass settings from the top level component into the sash sub-component.
Added a setting for shifting the sash component (glass and muntins) in and out.
Moved the Inset setting to appear above wall settings.

Casement Double

Changed it so it opens inwards by default.

FlexSlider

Improved settings for changing the width of the meeting rails vs changing the width of the left and right rails.

FlexPanel

Changed FlexPanel to be a regular non-wallcutter component by default (Less confusing).
Changed the default FlexPanel Inset setting from sunken panels (-4 cm) to 0.

General

Added material attributes to all flex components - default material names: FlexMat_Main, FlexMat_Glass, Flex_Mat_Hardware, FlexMat_Sill, FlexMat_Spacer
Removed all layers/tags from all components (excluding FlexStairs, FlexSlope and FlexRamp for now).

Translations

Updated Traditional Chinense translations for FlexRamp, FlexSlope and FlexStairs.

Bug Fixes

FlexDoors

Fixed an attribute in FlexDoor that would cause handles to misbehave when swapping panels between FlexDoor and FlexDoor Glass - Yes! You can now swap between solid and glass panels between the two doors!
Fixed missing faces in the default FlexDoor handle.
Fixed a bug in FlexDoor so wall cutter works properly when the frame is set to 0.
Fixed a bug in FlexDoors and FlexDoor Glass where the arc's Always ON setting wasn't always working properly.

FlexStairs

Fixed the FlexStairs component so all steps are copies by default (Before some of the steps were accidentally made unique).

Sash Components

Fixed a bug in all 'sash' components where muntins wouldn't be centered anymore after changing their Depth setting.
Fixed a typo in all sash components under the Style drop down (Borrom > Bottom).

v1.19.0 - 05/04/2020

New

New FlexDoor Glass component.
New door handles (Locksets 11-14) available in the 3D warehouse.

Enhancements

Updated all door components with a new Material attribute for easier application of materials and for scheduling purposes. Default material name = 'FlexMat_Main'
Updated all door hardware components (handles and hinges) in all door components and in the 3D warehouse with a new Material attribute - Default material = 'FlexMat_Hardware'.
Updated all door handles so you can now adjust the inset position of the handles relative to the door's surface (useful for the new FlexDoor Glass).
Removed all layers (Tags) from all door components - (layers will be removed from all flex components in future releases).

Translations

Updated Simplified Chinese translations for all tools and for the FlexRamp, FlexSlope and FlexStairs components.

v1.16.2 - 17/12/2019

Bugfix

Fixed a fatal error that was preventing FlexTools from loading at startup under certain circumstances that tended to coincide with Windows Update running.

v1.16.0 - 26/11/2019

Improvements

Usability improvement for FlexRamp - Added the ability to change how FlexRamp can be scaled: By Height (vertically) or By Length (horizontally) when the slope is fixed. The default is set to 'Scale by Height'.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in FlexDoor where one of the strike plates wasn't being hidden when Planview was enabled - Thanks to Hélio Cesar for pointing this out.

v1.16.0 - 26/11/2019

New

Components

New FlexRamp Component.

ComponentFinder v0.12.1

Added the ability to view file size of components.
Added the ability to sort components alphabetically and by file size (ascending/descending).
Added the ability to hide/display component names and file sizes.

Improvements

Open/Close tool updated to open all flex windows and doors (Those that can open).

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in the Open/Close tool where it wasn't opening FlexDoor since the previous update.
Updated FlexDoor with a minor fix for uneven door panels so the total opening dimension is now exact and correct.
Fixed the default glass thickness of FlexSlider from 1 cm to 0 cm (single face) so it is like all other flex window components. ( Thank you Ladislav )

v1.15.0 - 21/08/2019

Improvements

Added toolbar help button for quick access to new help and resources page.

Bug Fixes

FlexStairs - v1.3

Fixed a couple of bugs that would cause unexpected geometry to appear if the floor thickness was greater than the stringer thickness and extensions to top and bottom were enabled
Fixed some layer assignments.

ComponentFinder - v0.10.7

Fixed a bug where a refresh of a folder tab was necessary in order to see newly saved components from a previous session.
Fixed word-wrap of file names so they no longer get cut in the middle of a word if not necessary.

v1.14.0 - 06/08/2019

Improvements

FlexDoor - v1.16

Added an option for 2 unequal door panels - One panel has a set size and the other panel is flexible depending on total width of the component.
Clicking on the frame now cycles through: 1 door panel / 2 equal door panels / 2 unequal door panels (Before it would cycle through fixed panel options).

FlexStairs - v1.2

Changed Min Riser Height option to Max Riser Height.

Translations Updated

French translations updated for components and tools.
Spanish translations updated for components and tools.
Simplified Chinese translations updated for components and tools.
Traditional Chinese translations updated for a few components.

Bug Fixes

FlexStairs

Fixed a sub-component that had no layer assigned.
Fixed a bug where the stairs would misbehave if he landing step number was bigger than the number of steps.

FlexDoor

Fixed a regression bug with the hinges not being placed correctly.

v1.12.0 - 28/07/2019

New

FlexStairs v1.1🔗

Click on any step and it becomes a landing.
New option to extend the stringer to the top and/or bottom towards the floors.
New options to set the stringer thickness either by minimum thickness (waist) or by matching it to floors thickness.

Improvements

UI improvements for clarity in FlexStairs Component Options.
FlexStairs Learn Page updated with documentation of new features.

Changes

FlexStairs - Click to toggle 'Remove Top Step' replaced with click to toggle landings. This option can be changed from within the component options window.

v1.11.0 - 02/07/2019

New

New FlexStairs Component v1 officially released
New FlexStairs Learn page.

v1.10.2 -13/06/2019

New

New Learn page for the FlexSlope component.

Improvements

FlexSlope component options window updated with (?) links that direct to the learn page.

Bug Fixes

Traditional Chinese translation updated with a fix for Slider and Double-Hung components.
Fixed a bug in the Hopper/Awning component. When set to Awning the window pane would fly up.
Fixed the info link for the FlexSlope component so it points to the correct Learn Page: https://flextools.cc/learn/flexslope/

v1.10.1 -10/06/2019

New

Flex Slope component officially released with many improvements from the original beta.

Improvements

Updated 3 components: Slider, Double-Hung, Casement-Double to support the latest 20 distribution presets.
Improved the Colonial Style distribution to support adding divisions: Relevant to components: Slider, Double-Hung, Casement-Double, Fixed, Casement-Single, Hopper/Awning.
Traditional Chinese (TW) translations updated.
Japanese translations updated

v1.9.0 -10/04/2019

New

New component - Flex Casement Single.
New component - Flex Hopper Awning.
New component - Flex Fixed Window.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in WallCutter that could cause a component to not cut through a wall if the wall was of a specific width.
Fixed a bug in the Casement Double component where the swing arcs could not be hidden.
Corrected the clearance distance in the Minimal Door B component from 6mm to 3mm.
Fixed an error (`undefined method 'valid?' for nil`) that would come up intermittently when copying wall cutter components between models.

v1.6.1 - 01/04/2019

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in Component Finder that would prevent icons that were missing under some conditions from refreshing correctly.
Fixed a bug where Component Finder and Sketchup could freeze when some folders or drives were unavailable or changed during a session.

v1.6.0 - 26.03.2019

New

Flex Casement Double window + 20 new window style presets

Enhancements

Open/Close tool support for Flex Casement Double and for Minimal Doors.
Showing ComponentFinder session loading progress

Bug Fixes

Fixed a ComponentFinder bug where all folder panes would disappear on start if source folders were moved or renamed.
Fixed a ComponentFinder bug that could hang session loading or folder/model scanning.
Fixed a WallCutter error that could block components from being deleted.

v1.5.0 - 27.02.2019

Enhancements

Added 2 new MinimalDoors.ru components.
New WallCutter feature for Hiding Cut Edges.
New Indonesian translations added.
New Turkish translations added.
New Russian translations added.
Updated French translations.
Updated Spanish translation for Double-Hung components.
Updated FlexDoor hardware (handles) component description and instructions for ease of use. Hardware is now now changed by default through the 3D warehouse.
Updated FlexDoor to accept new versions of handles.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in WallCutter where outside of context entities could be cut.

1.3.0 - 01.02.2019

Enhancements

New tool: Make Totally Unique - Makes a component and all of it's sub-components unique.
New tool: Make Unique - Works similar to Right Click > Make Unique.
Double-Hung component translated to Simplified Chinese.
Simplified Chinese translations updated for all tools.

Bug Fixes

Double-Hung component corrected to handle new translations.

v1.1.12 - 17/01/2019

Enhancements

Spanish translation updated for tools
Japanese translation updated for tools

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in FlexDoor where the hinges were not being placed correctly.
Flipped the glass face in FlexWindow to be facing correctly outward.

v1.1.11 - 27/11/2018

Enhancements

Added new flex double-hung component.
Added new Japanese translation to all previous components.
Improved Spanish, French, Portuguese translations.

v1.1.10 - 21/11/2018

Enhancements

Updated core extension for smoother auto-updates (See 'FlexTools Extension' release notes).
Updated ComponentFinder tool (See 'ComponentFinder' release notes).

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug where SU would crash when a WallCutter component was placed on a wall with projected textures.
Fixed a possible rare crash on MacOS when using the 'Place Upright' tool.

v1.1.8 - 17/09/2018

Enhancements

New FlexSlider Window/Door v1.0

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug where FlexDoor wouldn't load on Sketchup 2017.

v1.1.6 - 06/09/2018

Enhancements

Updated FlexDoor to v1.9 - New setting: 'Axis - Move' - Moves the door panel's axis point for creating a pivot door.

v1.1.3 - 23/08/2018

Enhancements

Added the ability to Exclude components from the WallCutter algorithm.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug that could cause Sketchup to crash if there were no faces inside the cutting component.
Fixed a bug that could cause Sketchup to crash if the faces in a cutting component had a width of 0.

v1.1.2 - 07/08/2018

Enhancements

Added a preview when placing an upright component.
Added ability to hide the Place Upright tool from the toolbar through the FlexTools manager.
'place upright' button is now OFF by default on first install.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in wallcutter on the mac when multiple models were open.
Fixed a bug that under some circumstances could cause Sketchup to crash on component placement using the 'place upright' tool.
Fixed a bug that added an extra undo step upon component placement.

Notes:

An automatic update will appear for customers who have FlexPack Pro.
The bugs were not present in FlexPack 2017.

FlexPack 2017

v1.6.11 - 26/11/2019

Improvements

ComponentFinder v0.12.1

Added the ability to view file size of components.
Added the ability to sort components alphabetically and by file size (ascending/descending).
Added the ability to hide/display component names and file sizes.

Improvements

Open/Close tool updated to open all flex windows and doors (Those that can open).

v1.6.10 - 21/08/2019

Improvements

Added toolbar help button for quick access to new help and resources page.

Bug Fixes

ComponentFinder - v0.10.7

Fixed a bug where a refresh of a folder tab was necessary in order to see newly saved components from a previous session.
Fixed word-wrap of file names so they no longer get cut in the middle of a word if not necessary.

v1.6.9 - 06/08/2019

Improvements

Simplified Chinese tool translations updated.
Spanish tool translations updated.

v1.6.8 - 10/06/2019

Improvements

Traditional Chinese (TW) translation updated.
Japanese translation updated.

v1.6.6 - 01/04/2019

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in Component Finder that would prevent icons that were missing under some conditions from refreshing correctly.
Fixed a bug where Component Finder and Sketchup could freeze when some folders or drives were unavailable or changed during a session.

v1.6.5 - 26/03/2019

Enhancements

Showing ComponentFinder session loading progress.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a ComponentFinder bug where all folder panes would disappear on start if source folders were moved or renamed.
Fixed a ComponentFinder bug that could hang session loading or folder/model scanning.

v1.6.4 - 27/02/2019

Enhancements

New Indonesian translations added.
New Turkish translations added.
New Russian translations added.
Updated French translations.
Updated FlexDoor hardware (handles) component description and instructions for ease of use. Hardware is now now changed by default through the 3D warehouse.
Updated FlexDoor to accept new versions of handles.

v1.6.3 - 17/01/2019

Enhancements

Spanish translation updated for tools
Japanese translation updated for tools

v1.6.2 - 27/11/2018

Enhancements

Japanese translation added to all components and tools.
Behind the scenes improvements to the updates system with 2017.

v1.6.1 - 21/11/2018

Enhancements

Updated core extension for smoother auto-updates (See 'FlexTools Extension' release notes).
Updated ComponentFinder tool (See 'ComponentFinder' release notes).
Moved the 'Place Upright' tool to the toolbar.

Bugfixes

Fixed a bug for Sketchup 2016 (which isn't supported anymore)
Fixed a possible rare crash on MacOS when using the 'Place Upright' tool.

ComponentFinder

v0.12.3 - 17/12/2019

Bugfix

Fixed a fatal error that was preventing FlexTools from loading at startup under certain circumstances that tended to coincide with Windows Update running.

v0.12.1 - 26/11/2019

New

Added the ability to view file size of components.
Added the ability to sort components alphabetically and by file size (ascending/descending).
Added the ability to hide/display component names and file sizes.

v0.10.8 - 21/08/2019

Improvements

Added toolbar help button for quick access to new help and resources page.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug where a refresh of a folder tab was necessary in order to see newly saved components from a previous session.
Fixed word-wrap of file names so they no longer get cut in the middle of a word if not necessary.

v0.10.7 - 06/08/2019

Imrovements

Simplified Chinese translations updated.
Spanish translations updated.

v0.10.5 - 10/06/2019

New

Traditional Chinese (TW) translation added.

Improvements

Japanese Translation updated.

v0.10.2 - 01/04/2019

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug in Component Finder that would prevent icons that were missing under some conditions from refreshing correctly.
Fixed a bug where Component Finder and Sketchup could freeze when some folders or drives were unavailable or changed during a session.

v0.10.1 - 26/03/2019

Enhancements

Showing ComponentFinder session loading progress.

Bug Fixes

Fixed a ComponentFinder bug where all folder panes would disappear on start if source folders were moved or renamed.
Fixed a ComponentFinder bug that could hang session loading or folder/model scanning.

v0.10.0 - 27/02/2019

Enhancements

New Indonesian translations added.
New Turkish translations added.
New Russian translations added.
Updated French translations.

v0.9.0 - 17/01/2019

Enhancements

Added In-Model component browsing.
In-Model: Added to viewing modes - Top-Level and All.
In-Model: Double-clicking below the search field opens and closes the In-Model tab.
In-Model: Double-clicking on the divider maximizes the In-Model pane.
In-Model: Added a context menu: selecting all instances, saving as, deleting.
In-Model: Added the ability to view and place Groups.

v0.8.1 - 27/11/2018

Enhancements

Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese & French translations added.

v0.8.0 - 21/11/2018

Enhancements

Folder scanning depth increased from 5 levels deep to infinity.
Number of components you can display in one tab raised to a max of 6000 (Above 6000 thumbnails may break).
File and folder scanning done in the background so you can continue working while it's scanning.
Scanned files are now added incrementally as they are discovered.
File and folder scanning can now be canceled anytime.
Faster loading of open folder tabs during CF startup.
Added an additional larger zoom level - Files saved in previous versions of Sketchup require re-saving for HQ thumbs.
When opening the CF window it auto-focuses on the search field for even faster searching.
Component count added to each folder tab so you can see how many components there are.
Added an 'Add folder' button below the last opened folder tab.
Added a 'Go to containing folder' function to the Right Click menu within the CF window.
The search field is emphasized when a search returns no results.
Click on a folder tab's name and it changes to the full path of where the folder is located.
Moved the 'Refresh' button to each of the folder tabs so you can refresh them individually.
Added tooltips for the buttons in the folder tabs.
Hovering over a component in CF window shows a tooltip with the component's location.
Added a compact menu when the the CF window is resized to a small size.

Bug Fixes

Bugfix - Thumbnails could suddenly 'break' and would show placeholders instead (Only restarting Sketchup would solve the issue before).

FlexBetaPack

v1.1.7 - 22/12/2019

Enhancements

Updated the toolbar icon for the beta FlexDoor with Glass Divs to reflect that it is a beta (towards the release of the new FlexDoor Glass).

v1.1.6 - 27/02/2019

Enhancements

Updated FlexDoor hardware (handles) component description and instructions for ease of use. Hardware is now now changed by default through the 3D warehouse.
Updated FlexDoor to accept new versions of handles.