Turn 3D model dimensions into a text file?

Metterz

Ok there's no way I can afford SU Pro to export anything other than .kmz files. Is it possible to make a text file without exporting files, eg. using Ruby?

Metterz

And besides, the program's meant to be written for an end user, so the SU part of the whole thing has to be the freeware version...

Thanks all for your help

Jim

@metterz said:

Ok there's no way I can afford SU Pro to export anything other than .kmz files. Is it possible to make a text file without exporting files, eg. using Ruby?

Yes, it's possible, but it's not clear to me exactly what data you need as the output?

Metterz

Just a string of numbers will probably do, like maybe co-ords of each corner of each group/component. I just need some text file data that MS Access can use to easily acquire the dimensions of groups/components in a SU file. It will probably easier if I can make an Excel spreadsheet though, instead of a text file.
I don't know how the contents of the dimensions file will be arranged, but i'll try to work with whatever I can get out of the SU model

Jim

At a basic level, this will do what you need.



outfile = File.new( "c;\\output.csv", "w")

Sketchup.active_model.entities.each do |e|
  next unless e.is_a? Sketchup;;Group or e.is_a? Sketchup;;ConponentInstance
  bbox = e.bounds
  0.upto(7) do |i|
    c = bbox.corner(i)
    outfile.print "#{c.x.to_f},#{c.y.to_f},#{c.z.to_f}\n"
  end
  outfile.puts "\n"
end
outfile.close

Metterz

Ok thanks a lot, but what language is this code in? I tried entering it into Ruby but it died on the second line... Sorry if i'm being awkward, my programming experience is limited - particularly with SU.

Metterz

I'll be more specific there: it gave me a syntax error message on the second line...

Jim

Sorry about that, I had to hurry off thismorning.

The following snippet is still not a full-featured plugin. Everything is hard-coded in the script. You will need to edit the script and restart SketchUp to make any edits effective. It is just a quick example of how to do it.

I gave it a menu item in the Plugins menu called "Export corners."


UI.menu("Plugins").add_item("Export Corners") do
  outfile = File.new( "c;\\output.csv", "w")
  Sketchup.active_model.entities.each do |e|
    next unless e.is_a? Sketchup;;Group or e.is_a? Sketchup;;ComponentInstance
    bbox = e.bounds
    0.upto(7) do |i|
      c = bbox.corner(i)
      outfile.print "#{c.x.to_f},#{c.y.to_f},#{c.z.to_f}\n"
    end
    outfile.puts "\n"
  end
  outfile.close
end

Metterz

Ok, after entering the first line into the Ruby Console, I got this...

UI.menu("Plugins").add_item("Export Corners") do
Error; #<SyntaxError; (eval);149; compile error
(eval);149; syntax error
UI.menu("Plugins").add_item("Export Corners") do
                                                ^>
(eval);149

I'm guessing the code isn't intended for Ruby, so where do I enter it to get the plugin working?

Jim

Oh sorry again - I keep making assumptions that people can read my mind.

Here is a file to download and put in your Plugins folder; then restart SketchUp.

export_corners.rb