I'd also love to see a good "skinning" plugin. I my case, I need to skin something like this:[image: 2POX_Murin_small.jpg]

I can't even begin to answer a lot of your database questions as I don't do a lot of programming. However, I do understand components. We manufacture custom HVAC ducting and piping, so while the component list is small, the need for the list work is still there. So, I made a dynamic component of a flange, with a bolt pattern. See my attached sketchup file using this dynamic component. Under file, click generate report. Using the native tools with sketchup, this seems at the very least feasible to me. With the report generator, I am able to harvest the information I need with the ItemCode section, which would let me identify my large components. The small component information can be used to build my device with the proper CNC machining equipment. Although it has X,Y,Z information that is relative to the coordinates of the minor components, it would require simple vector addition to get the precise location of each hole in the model, and feed that to the CNC. Working in reverse is a bit more complicated, but dynamic components would make working in reverse possible (an advantage). You could edit the data in your tables, use a script to redraw the dynamic component with the updated values, and viola! It would be updated. X, Y, Z and LenX, LenY, LenZ values would be recalculated and ready for the CNC. This does take some time however, as well designed dynamic components would take time. Unfortunately, this will not be updated instantaneously. There would have to be a request for redraw, or a request to save the generated report, so these scripts could not be used if you wanted instantaneous information. Still, it would beat working with the sometimes buggy "observers" of ruby. And the report generator is actually a ruby script (so you could make it anew). The only issue I would see then is finding someway of having your ASP net "ping" sketchup to regenerate the report and redraw the model. Dynamic Hole 2.skp

I'll look at it. Maybe I will be able to write it in the future. Thanks.

@thomthom said: Does it manage existing rubys as well? Management is not the main focus of this installer. I think if plugin installation were easier, more people would try plugins. And with an option to completely remove them, it may lower any barriers further. I clearly don't want to clobber a users plugins folder, but that's just a matter of checking what is already there. I wouldn't know how to get information about the origin of all the files in the Plugins folder. I do agree the issues of installation and management are closely related. But if I can get the installer installed, and developers to package for the installer, installing becomes easier for everyone, as does upgrading plugins. I want a safe and reliable installer/un-installer first. For developers, most plugins can be "installed" from their current .zip files - it simply un-zips the archive to the Plugins folder. Beyond that, I am thinking about options for pre- and post-install scripts, as well as pre- and post-removal scripts so developers can do some preparation or cleanup if needed when their .zips are installed.

Thanks! I will try to find that plugin. The path has to be level across the walkway as it goes down. Sort of like a winding downhill stair case. I just wanted to do it with a component or predefined face. (Sorry if the question was basic) Thanks! Stuart

@unknownuser said: @whaat said: I wonder if I can pass the binary string from a WebDialog back to Ruby using a callback function and then write the file to the user's temp directory? Does this sound possible? why not ? just try it have in mind that window.location might have a size limitation (depends on the browser) - so more than 2000 chars can bring trouble I've not tried this, but Chris mentioned you can store data in hidden input fields and extract data from there. http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=21166#p177786

It's built on *nix. I once took an extensive website from Windows to a Linux-based ISP. Broken-link city! Decided that capital letters have no place in any pathname, regardless of OS.

Just to let you know that Demeter has now be renamed LiveEnergy Modeller and a new version is available for download on our website at: http://greenspacelive.com. LiveEnergy Modeller is currently available on an Alpha testing basis unti 31st October 2009. We would value any feedback suggestions etc. I've also put more information in a SketchUcation post here: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=21789. Thanks, Malcolm Murray

Laticizer would help a little, but it's not ideal because it creates a frame, including the outer lines of the wall I pick. A better solution I have just found is in 1001 bit tools and is the 'Create horizontal groove lines on selected surface' tool. I just need to rotate the face 90 degrees to add vertical grooves. It would be good to add horizontal and vertical grooves together to stop this happening, as shown in attached image, but I'm not complaining! [image: t1NE_0.1.jpg]

Not exactly that you want but maybe this can help for a more big precision ArcCurve-set_segments.rb & changearcsegments by Tig

@jhoutman said: Hello, I am the author. I am sorry I rarely stop by this forum. I changed email address so probably everything got lost. Let me know what changes you like and I will probably do them. My main hobby is woodworking. A sub hobby is Sketchup. A sub-sub hobby is ruby scripts. I do have small word documents describing the the use of the tools. And have some updates. Joel Hello,jhoutman I'm glad to see you back! And thanks for this very helpful plugin! When making boards - say shelf, it would be very handy to use simple expressions - width of the cabinet minus double thickness of the plywood. Also, a drop down list with most used names for the parts - top, bottom, back etc. in the "Input Board" window. Thanks in advance.

@tig said: I think it's because the path is taken relative to the path of the calling script's folder. Since script is in a folder that contains the images/... folder. then it is found OK... unless the script has been scrambled, in which case the relative path no longer works and you need to use the full path to the images.

@martinrinehart said: Is that FreeMind? How do you get the thick lines? nope, it is MindManager let's start with a public file where we can gather the requirements and see what we will code - SURIDE req list. feel free to join in and post your wishes

@msp_greg said: When writing a component stepper and a layer stepper, I had to escape () both single and double quotes everywhere ... Thanks! Bug gone.

@martinrinehart said: Let's do something about this. Hello Martin, I knew enlightened minds like myself existed in SketchUp land, but just did not have the physical evidence until now. Well that's still only less than a handful of Python coders i have a count of... Myself, Greg, You, and a very interested fan tomot who stood by me last year through trials and tribulations and got nothing in return. And there where a few other seeming interested parties... (Sorry if i left anyone out) hmm, not enough to start the revolution, but it's a start nonetheless! But seriously, Python IDLE is a great yardstick to judge entry level IDE's on. If you like "fancy" IDE's, well you will be disappointed with IDLE. But IDLE is built for one thing, introducing noobies to the Python programming language in a very comfortable way. So we all know that a new multi-line interactive console is desperately needed. I can't see why SketchUp dev would not alow us to build this for them, and then they could throw it in the source distro. But we must get this into the core SketchUp release. If someone just releases another plug-in and that ugly Ruby console stays in SketchUp then we might all just as well download one of the already existing Ruby IDE's out there. But a real Ruby SUIDLE("swiddle" or "sweedle") OR SUIDE("sweede") would be a god send for everybody! And Taking IDLE's modular approach we could start simple and just add to our hearts desire! The current Python IDLE weighs in a 1.53MB but a lot of this can be trimmed. Only the most important features are really needed... Minimum Features -syntax highlighting -bracket matching Icing on the Cake -code completion -object browsing -smart indent -call tips -"your wish here" But most importantly this whole redundant cycle of the current Ruby scripting experiance is quite laborious. Here is a short script that describes the process in painstaking detail... from patience import * from meds import Prozac, Asperin rants = [ 'OMG!, not again!', 'rats, here we go again!', 'Somebody just shoot me already!', ] def lament(self); self.sanity -= 1 print random.choice(rants) def medicate(); self.swallow(Prozac, Asprin) count = 0 while self.sanity > 0; count += 1 if count % 5 == 0; self.medicate() self.write_or_tweak_code() try; su = SketchUp.open() try; su.test_script_functionality(); break except ScriptRuntimeError; self.lament() except ScriptLoadError; self.lament() finally; su.close() print 'Finally! \ It only took %d cycles to complete this task *sarcasm*' %(count) ...needs to go the way of the Dodo.

@jim said: Will need to consider including files and folders in the archive. you just need to add the complete path to the filename and a way to create/check for directories. easy

right...that'd work... i'll just be more careful next time and keep the original safe and sound... first time really using the plugin for a project. thanks for the help.

@jim said: Report Ruby bugs and Ruby documentation issues in this thread. Done. Thanks.

Ah! Thank you Adam. But I think I may just be being too lazy to check if the files exists...

No - in fact, I've found this observer to be very volatile. http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=20676 I think that all the observers should be tested properly and an official bug report submitted to the tracking system to ensure they are accounted for and maybe even bump the issue. (I'm leaving for England for a week - so I won't have any time myself until afterwards. Maybe someone would like to start?)