Okay, Thanks

Thankyou all! The problem was solved. Dan Rathbun Do you mean the whole class "Exportvertices2csv" should be a module? Or, the instance method "printcsv"should be a module?

sure, but if the transform bumps you out of the SU tolerance, you're hosed.

First I guess like the poster I don't really have a point with this rant except to warn others who is as clueless as I about both neccessary and good practices working with Ruby Sketchup. As usual when I read your posts, thank you, I find a gold nugget, it is sometimes just hard to to know that you need it. Second I see that it is good and and I agree it makes sence that it works that way.. My irritation points are that: As far as I know my add_3d_text didn't output any error beside returning a nil value, a return value you seldom use. There was (AFAIK) no type of exception raised either. The documentation is as usual very short and doesn't mention it actually undoing any work, the work might as well have been undone by a call to abort_operation not automatically.

When you open a group or component for editing, everything in that context is converted from local coordiantes to global coordinates.

@adamb said: Nice one driven. Just remember this is not supported by SU6, so make sure you predicate it with version_number. Adam Or - as I prefer - by using .respond_to? to instead check if the feature exists. No mucking about with version numbers.

This code finally worked UI.menu("Plugins").add_item('Assesment') { Inspection.color } require 'mysql' module Inspection def self.color dbh = Mysql.real_connect("localhost", "root", "***", "test",3306) dbh.query("drop table if exists inspection") dbh.query("create table inspection(component varchar(20), ID int(4), rating int(1))") dbh.query("insert into inspection values('deck',2345,2),('Substructure',2349,1),('Superstructure',2353,3)") res = dbh.query("SELECT rating FROM inspection where id = '2345'") while row = res.fetch_row do xx = row[0] printf "%s\n", xx end res1 = dbh.query("SELECT rating FROM inspection where id = '2349'") while row = res1.fetch_row do xy = row[0] printf "%s\n", xy end res2 = dbh.query("SELECT rating FROM inspection where id = '2353'") while row = res2.fetch_row do yy = row[0] printf "%s\n", yy end Sketchup.active_model.entities.to_a.each{|e| if e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2345'&& xx=='1' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','1') elsif e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2345'&& xx=='2' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','2') elsif e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2345'&& xx=='3' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','3') end } Sketchup.active_model.entities.to_a.each{|e| if e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2349'&& xy=='1' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','1') elsif e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2349'&& xy=='2' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','2') elsif e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2349'&& xy=='3' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','3') end } Sketchup.active_model.entities.to_a.each{|e| if e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2353'&& yy=='1' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','1') elsif e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2353'&& yy=='2' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','2') elsif e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','id','')=='2353'&& yy=='3' e.set_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','3') end } Sketchup.active_model.entities.to_a.each{|e| if e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','')=='1' e.set_attribute( 'dynamic_attributes', 'material', 'black') e.set_attribute( 'dynamic_attributes', '_material_formula', '"black"') $dc_observers.get_latest_class.redraw_with_undo(e) elsif e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','')=='2' e.set_attribute( 'dynamic_attributes', 'material', 'blue') e.set_attribute( 'dynamic_attributes', '_material_formula', '"blue"') $dc_observers.get_latest_class.redraw_with_undo(e) elsif e.get_attribute('dynamic_attributes','rating','')=='3' e.set_attribute( 'dynamic_attributes', 'material', 'red') e.set_attribute( 'dynamic_attributes', '_material_formula', '"red"') $dc_observers.get_latest_class.redraw_with_undo(e) end } end end Thanks to all.

Guy, Generally, you're not going to be able to do anything useful with the entrypoints its exposes. Particularly not from Ruby. Not sure if it helps but here's a quick tutorial on output very high resolution hidden line images using LightUp.. http://www.light-up.co.uk/index.php?t=story&p=101 Adam

As a 'Thanks!' to Alex and my contribution to wellness of other exporters and especially their developers here is my modified transformation method that works I think in 99.9%. It may fail due to float precision, but I looks it doesn't happen too often. My idea is to calculate a center of the image, based on initially derived transformation and to compare it with a center of bounding box of the instance self.bounds.center. If the points are not same it means that an image is flipped. If flipped, I create a modified transformation with a negative scaling along y axis. Now I realized that this can be done by simply crating a Geom::Transformation.scaling origin, 1, -1, 1 and applying it to the original trans... def transformation origin = self.origin axes = self.normal.axes tr = Geom;;Transformation.axes(ORIGIN, axes.x, axes.y, axes.z) tr = tr * Geom;;Transformation.rotation(ORIGIN, Z_AXIS, self.zrotation) tr = tr * Geom;;Transformation.scaling(ORIGIN, self.width/self.pixelwidth, self.height/self.pixelheight,1) tr=tr.to_a tr[12]=origin.x tr[13]=origin.y tr[14]=origin.z trans = Geom;;Transformation.new(tr) #Global! trans of an image instance #check if flipped center_point=Geom;;Point3d.new(self.pixelwidth/2.0,self.pixelheight/2.0,0).transform! trans #center of an image center=self.bounds.center flipped=(center_point.x!=center.x or center_point.y!=center.y or center_point.z!=center.z) if flipped tr = Geom;;Transformation.axes(ORIGIN, axes.x, axes.y, axes.z) tr = tr * Geom;;Transformation.rotation(ORIGIN, Z_AXIS, self.zrotation) tr = tr * Geom;;Transformation.scaling(ORIGIN, self.width/self.pixelwidth, -self.height/self.pixelheight,1) tr=tr.to_a tr[12]=origin.x tr[13]=origin.y tr[14]=origin.z trans = Geom;;Transformation.new(tr) end return trans end#def

Hi Dan and Chris. Thank you for your answers ! @chris said: Well, those braces can be expanded to as many lines of code as you would like. You could write it like this: Yes, but I wanted to have a automated method... no need to write Module::Sub_module.method, just copy a line that returns current method in the ruby console. @dan said: Why not just open the rb in an editor, and find the command in the file ? that's what I do when I search the command. But I am not sure a "non-ruby" user could find this command easily. @unknownuser said: BTW.. sometimes there is good reason for a command to be kept private, a commercial plugin, or a Pro only plugin. The writer of a plugin, has the right, to not allow their plugin (or it's tools,) to be called in ways that could defeat the license, or cause other problems. I am not saying this bit of code MUST be inserting in each plugin, of course... Just for MY personal plugins, because I like transparency.. I just asked this forum if someone had a better (or a native) way to do like my little method...

You change [or add] the appropriate attribute[s] for the dynamic_component and then force it to refresh thus... assuming the dynamic_componentis referenced by 'dc' and you know the 'key'/'value' wanted... dc.definition.set_attribute("dynamic_attributes", 'key', 'value') $dc_observers.get_latest_class.redraw_with_undo(dc)

Well I hadn't thought of the sun vector that way, but that is great advice-- should certainly speed things up, a little at least. As for the number of faces...I'd like to take a surface and run it with arbitrary granularity; so, thousands. Running my code as it stands for 1000 faces takes on the order of 15 minutes to run. Making the change you suggested now...

@thomthom said: @dan rathbun said: And it's Windows only. We really need a solution that works on both platforms (Mac and Windows,) and that means it needs to be built into the Sketchup API by Google. That depends if he is aiming to support both platforms... Well, yes, I do want to support those for both platforms, but its just a starting test for platform that I'm using. And its not I'm the only one who want's that, I know there is much more people that would also want that ability in their plugins. So, yes after a solution to this topic, the code will be extended into more abilities of using on other platforms. @dan rathbun said: Including a library file (Win32,) in the global ObjectSpace is a big no no. Your code needs to be wrapped within a module. BIG Thanks Dan This thing was bugging me all the time I've need to wtite a code. This was a thing I needed to be sure of. @dan rathbun said: If you look at some of the pure Ruby source in Dan Berger's windows-pr package, you'll come across examples of accessing C structures from Ruby using Array.pack and String.unpack Thanks , think this is a solution. I no doubt, WILL examine the pakage!!!

@adamb said: However, in your string_to_length(), I don't think SketchUp supports units of "km", "feet" and "mile" (though it will accept ' and " for foot and inch respectively) These functions are primarily geared at getting input from user (via VCB or dialog box). So, even if units are not supported by SU, the notation accepts it (like the dot and comma for the decimal separator). The functions also support the architectural notation with ' and " (though I am not fully familiar with it). For instance s = "2'3\" + 5' 8\"" --> 2'3" + 5' 8" Traductor.string_to_length_formula(s) --> 95.0 s = "3\" * 4" --> 3" * 4 Traductor.string_to_length_formula(s) --> 12.0 Traductor.string_to_length("1.0splishysplash") --> nil Fredo

There IS a work-in-progress on a BIM type plugin that can make walls, and export to IFC. Maybe you could join in with that project ?? [Plugin] bim-tools 0.9.0 (8 Oct 2011)

@john_q said: I'm new to sketchUp, using V8 and also new to the OOP-structure business... See: Ruby Newbie's Guide to Getting Started

IDs do not subsist across sessions as they are re set every time the SKP opens. You must give entities attributes which will be carried across sessions to find them successfully...

Yes Type validation would (as TIG showed,) is usually the norm for public libraries. If it's a private library and you are the only one calling it's methods, you will know the rules (arg types,) and such validation can be left out to speed things up. That said.. I put the nil test in as the API doc refers to "a plane if successful" but does not really say what the return value is, if the call is not successful. And as there is no "real" Plane class we cannot do a type check based on that, but if it's an array with 4 elements. Comment it out if you feel it's unnecessary. (I won't feel bad.)

Good "Occamish" advice TIG.

@dan rathbun said: Components can contain nested Groups and other Components. The Components could be normal or dynamic. If nested, you'll need to do a recursive search (make a search method that calls itself.) Dan, I am an author of two exporters , I have learned it few years ago. SU2Thea exports whole SU model hierarchy. @adamb said: You would need to follow the hierarchy all the way to the top to determine if any antecedent (parent) was hidden - and thus all subsequent children are hidden - to get the correct answer. Basically it requires you to structure code as a recursive descent.. which runs counter to the definition.instances graph-like structure. I do walk all the hierarchy from the very top till the last visible? entity. It works perfectly on all objects. SU2Thea exports everything fine except this door for example: The door has several layouts of a door leaf defined. They are all being exported, because when I check e.definition.entities all return true although not all are being visible on a screen at the same moment in the same instance. I guess I have to recognize whether I have a DC, then check which option has been chosen for the instance I investigate (probably an attribute) and then discard all faces in a definition that doesn't belong to the 'option' (I guess defined in an attribute of the instance again). I hope that is easy to distinguish parts of DC definition that are optional. If it isn't obvious from attributes that a DC stores then.. it will be hit or miss. @adamb said: EDIT: as I'm writing this..are you saying hidden? and visible? are actually different? I was asking Dan whether there is a difference, but I doubt. API Docs don't mention it. I will dig into the issue. I just thought someone has already been there.