Need an example to munipulate a dynamic component with ruby

[shirazbj]

Hi,

After open a SKP file containing a dynamic component, I'd like to try to change the component options by ruby code. And place another instance.

Is it possible to do these under SU free version?

Thanks

[HPW]

@unknownuser said:

After open a SKP file containing a dynamic component, I'd like to try to change the component options by ruby code. And place another instance.

I am also interested in this question.
Furthermore I would like to know if it is possible to create a dynamic component at runtime with ruby code?
Or change it (Not only an option)?

[HPW]

Found some answers here:

http://groups.google.com/group/sketchupruby/browse_frm/thread/eb7d2e7ab9038492/af73a7ee457b82df

[remus]

If you send scottliniger a PM he might be able to knock up some example code, i know he's certainly talked about manipulating DCs with ruby before.

[shirazbj]

Thanks HPW.

The link you provided was last posted on Nov 25 2008.

I tried the code there. The skp files under "Components/Components sampler/" folder seem to be only a simple component or include dynamic component but no option.

I added an instance of an DC with option in that way, when i right click to try to change the option, I was told there is no option.

[scottlininger]

Hey guys,

Here's the "quick and dirty" overview of how to apply some options and then fire a redraw of a DC.

I'm working (slowly) on some better documentation. In the meantime, you can kind of understand how the various attributes work by inspecting the "dynamic_attributes" library yourself. This tool is handy for looking at attributes.

I just posted a tutorial on reading DC attributes to the code site. That could be helpful, too.

UI.menu("Plugins").add_item('Make Sang Red') {

  # Assumes that sang is the 1st entity in model.
  sang = Sketchup.active_model.entities[0]
  sang_def = sang.definition

  # Override sang's shirt color to red. ("material"
  # is a special attribute that requires
  # you to set a formula to "take control" 
  # over the default material the user has painted.)
  sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes',
    'material', 'red'
  sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes',
    '_material_formula', '"red"'

  # Add a new configurable option to Sang.
  # (Any attribute that starts with an underscore
  # is a "meta attribute" that describes behavior.)
  sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes',
    'weight', '145'
  sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes',
    '_weight_label', 'weight'
  sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes',
    '_weight_formlabel', 'My Weight'
  sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes',
    '_weight_units', 'STRING'
  sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes',
    '_weight_access', 'TEXTBOX'

  # Change the description that shows
  # up in the configure box with a custom
  # formula.
  sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes',
    '_description_formula', 
    '"Sang is now red and weighs " & weight'

  # There is a global handle into the plugin that
  # allows you to make the same calls that the
  # plugin does, like so...
  dcs = $dc_observers.get_latest_class
  dcs.redraw_with_undo(sang)

}

Let me know what doesn't make sense.

[Chris Fullmer]

ooh, I'm excited to check that out, thanks Scott!

Chris

[shirazbj]

Thanks Scott. That's fantastic.

After try your code, I saved red Sang with weight option as a "red sang.skp" under folder "Components/Components Sampler/"

Then I tried to load this skp file like this:

def red_sang

path1=Sketchup.find_support_file "red Sang.skp" ,"Components/Components Sampler/"

model=Sketchup.active_model
definitions = model.definitions
componentdefinition1 = definitions.load path1

point = Geom::Point3d.new 10,0,0
transform = Geom::Transformation.new point
instance=model.entities.add_instance componentdefinition1,transform

end

UI.menu("Plugins").add_separator
UI.menu("Plugins").add_item("Draw red sang") { red_sang }

But when I check the option, there is no option anymore.

Should I load the file in other way?

Thanks

[scottlininger]

When you saved redsang.skp, did you File > Save As, or did you Right click > Save as?

The File > Save As method is probably what happened. This isn't the same as saving sang as a standalone SKP. Try right clicking on red sang and "Save as" and then try the import. See if that works.