Importing assets from SketchUp

The Venue Model in HOLOPLOT Plan consists of three main asset types: Zones, Arrays and Venue Geometry (optional).

We recommend using the drawing and array-building tools in the HOLOPLOT Plan to create zones and arrays. These tools should be sufficient for simple venue designs.

If you have a more complex venue, you may want to use SketchUp to import your venue model as a .glTF file into HOLOPLOT Plan to start designing.

Venue Modelling workflow with SketchUP

Venue geometry

Venue geometry will only appear in your project if you add it from SketchUp.

The 3D object which represents the architectural elements of the room in terms of shape, size, and position is referred to as the venue geometry. This object can help you to better understand the space when creating zones and arrays and should be used purely as a visual guide.

It is important to note that the venue geometry has no effect on the beam optimization or simulation in HOLOPLOT Plan, meaning it's optional to have venue geometry in your system design.

When imported from SketchUp, venue geometry is shown as grey shapes. Venue geometry cannot be manipulated in Plan, i.e. it cannot be changed, hidden or deleted once imported.

Zones

Zone objects are planes in 3D space that represent the areas of interest for beam optimization and SPL simulation. They are used to model how sound interacts with the surfaces of the venue and how it propagates in 3D space. Zone objects are divided into two categories:

Boundary zones represent physical surfaces of the venue, such as the floor, wall, ceiling, or columns, and are treated as solid surfaces that can generate acoustic shadows if in line of sight.

Zone Type	Properties
Boundary zones	Represents physical surfaces of the venue, such as the floor, wall, ceiling, or columns, and are treated as solid surfaces that can generate acoustic shadows if in line of sight. It is important to properly label Boundary zones if intending to simulate Acoustic Shadowing.
Audience zones	Represents the position of the listeners at ear height and should be defined as where you intend to play sound in your venue.

Matrix Arrays

A single module or a collection of modules is referred to as a Matrix Array.

You should use HOLOPLOT Plan to design standard Matrix Arrays. However, you can also design arrays in SketchUp and import them into your HOLOPLOT Plan project. Arrays can be included as part of your venue model or as separate objects in a separate .glTF file.

You will only need to design your arrays in SketchUp if your arrays require these special features:

• Curved or non-flat arrangement.

• Rigging - you'll need to use the SketchUp rigging components, which include the correct spacing for HOLOPLOT rigging.

• Custom spacing for external rigging hardware.

Importing a venue model

If the zone drawing tools inside HOLOPLOT Plan are not robust enough for your complex venue, it it possible to import 3D objects in a .glTF file format. Zones, arrays and venue geometry can be created in SketchUp and all three of these object types can be contained within a single .glTF file. They can also be split into separate files to offer greater flexibility depending on your desired workflow.

The .glTF file format is a file format for 3D scenes and models using the JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) standard. It is an open-source standard that is used to represent 3D objects and scenes in a compact and efficient way. The format supports a wide range of features, including geometry, materials, textures, animation, and more.

When 3D objects are imported into HOLOPLOT Plan, they will also contain texture coordinates and additional information, such as zone materials and object IDs. This additional information is used to further identify the 3D objects and provide more detailed information about them within the HOLOPLOT Plan environment.

To import a venue model:

1. Use the toolbar in HOLOPLOT Plan to select File > Import .glTF.

2. Navigate to your .glTF file in the file explorer and click Open.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with requirements for importing zones in the next section. Find out more about importing venue geometry in our SketchUp workflow section.

Importing zones from SketchUp

If you haven’t imported your zones as a part of the venue model, you can import a .glTF file containing only the zones.

1. Use the toolbar in HOLOPLOT Plan to select File > Import .glTF.

2. Navigate to your .glTF file in the file explorer and click Open.

Zones must adhere to the following criteria in order to be successfully imported into HOLOPLOT Plan:

• Zones can’t be curved surfaces. They must be planar (flat) and their vertices must be coplanar (on the same plane).

• A zone can’t be a line. It needs to have at least three indices e.g. Triangle, Square, Pentagon.

• A zone should not have a hole, i.e., cuts must be made if there are rings or pillars within the zone.

• Zones must not be self-intersecting.

• A zone must be assigned either an audience or a boundary zone material (Tip: the zone type can be changed later in HOLOPLOT Plan).

• A surface once assigned a zone material must be made into a component before exporting.

Using the Ruby Code Editor to create small, flat zones

The Ruby code editor in SketchUp is a powerful tool for splitting larger, curved zones—like balconies—into smaller, flat pieces that can be easily imported into HOLOPLOT Plan. This is particularly useful for complex venue designs with non-flat surfaces.

How to Use the Ruby Code Editor

1. Create a Component from Your Zones Start by creating the zones you wish to split in SketchUp. Once done, select these zones and convert them into a component.

2. Open the Ruby Console With the zones highlighted, navigate to the Extensions menu, select Developer, and then click on Ruby Console to open the code editor.

3. Copy and Paste the Script Copy the Ruby script provided below, paste it into the console, and press Enter.

4. Complete the Process After executing the script, close the dialog box by pressing Complete.

Important Notes

• Avoid Componentizing Arrays If you have built arrays in SketchUp, do not highlight or attempt to convert them into components. Running the Ruby script on arrays will break them, and you won’t be able to import the resulting zones into HOLOPLOT Plan.

✏️ Copy and paste the following Ruby Code script:

mod = Sketchup.active_model
sel = mod.selection
ents = mod.active_entities
defs = mod.definitions
mod.start_operation('Convert faces to components', true)  
sel.grep(Sketchup::ComponentInstance).each do |s|

  s.definition.entities.grep(Sketchup::Face).each do |f|  

    mat = f.material 
    normal = f.normal  
    uv_helper = f.get_UVHelper(true, true)   
    mapping_front = []

    f.outer_loop.vertices.each do |vert| 
      mapping_front << vert.position
      uvq = uv_helper.get_front_UVQ(vert.position)
      mapping_front << Geom::Point3d.new(uvq)
    end 

    edg = []
    f.edges.each{|e| edg << e}      
    grp = ents.add_group(edg)
    inst = grp.to_component
    defn = inst.definition

    #get original name and renname all new components with the sane name and a number
    original_name = s.definition.name
    new_name = "#{original_name}_#1"
    defn.name = new_name
    
    tr = inst.transformation
    inst.erase!
    pts = tr.origin        
    s.definition.entities.add_instance(defn, pts) 
    f.erase!      
    defn.entities.grep(Sketchup::Edge).each{|e| e.find_faces }
    defn.entities.grep(Sketchup::Face).each do |f|

      face_normal = f.normal

      if face_normal != normal

        f.reverse!

      end 

      f.material = mat  
      material_front = f.material = mat
      f.position_material(material_front, mapping_front, true)        
   
    end      
  
  end
  # Explode the component instance
model = Sketchup.active_model
selection = model.selection
component_instance = selection[0]  # Assumes a single component instance is selected

if component_instance.is_a?(Sketchup::ComponentInstance)
  entities = component_instance.definition.entities
  component_instance.explode
end

# Select and delete all edges
edges = model.active_entities.grep(Sketchup::Edge)
model.selection.add(edges)
model.active_entities.erase_entities(edges)

UI.messagebox("Complete.")

end

What to do if zones are invalid

A warning message will display if one or more zones are invalid with a message detailing what the error is. In order to fix the zone, go back to your SketchUp model and make the suggested adjustments to meet the requirements above.

1. Hide all other zones apart from the one(s) intended for import.

2. Use the glTF exporter plug-in to create a glTF file containing just the zone(s) needed.

3. Go to the toolbar and select File > Import glTF.

4. Specify a file location and click Open.

Importing arrays from SketchUp

Designing arrays in HOLOPLOT Plan using the in-app array builder is recommended, as it can help you to avoid potential errors that may occur when designing them in SketchUp.

However, if your array requires any of the following, you will need to design it in SketchUp and import the array to HOLOPLOT Plan using the glTF file format.

• Curved or non-flat arrangement.

• Rigging - you will need to use the SketchUp rigging components, which include the correct spacing for HOLOPLOT rigging.

• Custom spacing for external rigging hardware.

It is only necessary to add arrays in SketchUp if you need rigging spacing, spacing for custom rigging hardware or if the array is curved.

In some circumstances, e.g. when using rigging, arrays will need to be created in SketchUp and then imported to HOLOPLOT Plan. It is possible to import a .glTF file containing only the arrays.

1. Use the toolbar in Plan to select File > Import .glTF.

2. Navigate to your .glTF file in the file explorer and click Open.