Beginner Ruby Problmes

Arkman

I'm trying to create a ruby that when I create a group it just gives me a prompt to name the group. Just like it does for a component. I'm really struggling.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

thomthom


#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
require 'sketchup.rb'
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

module AM_Named_Group
	
	unless file_loaded?('am_named_group.rb')
		# Add menu items.
		plugins_menu = UI.menu('Edit')
		plugins_menu.add_item('Make Named Group')	{ self.named_group }
	end
	
	def self.named_group
		model = Sketchup.active_model
		sel = model.selection

		# Don't do anything if the selection is empty.
		return if sel.empty?

		# Ask user for group name.
		prompts = ['Group Name; ']
		defaults = [model.definitions.unique_name('Group#1')]
		input = UI.inputbox(prompts, defaults, 'New Group')

		# Check if the user cancelled.
		return if input == false

		# The add_group method can be buggy when you pass on entities to it's argument. But there's
		# no real options.
		group = model.active_entities.add_group(sel)
		name = model.definitions.unique_name(input[0])
		# We set the name we will see in the Entities window.
		group.name = name
		# We set the definition name as well. If you convert the group to a component, this is the
		# name it will get.
		group.entities.parent.name = name
		
		# Select the new group
		sel.clear
		sel.add(group)
	end
end

#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
file_loaded('am_named_group.rb')
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arkman

Awesome! I have one more request. How could I get a list of layers in the model to define what layer it lives in. I can get a list but I can't get it to show the layers in the model or place that newly created group on the layer.

Thanks!!!!

thomthom

@arkman said:

Awesome! I have one more request. How could I get a list of layers in the model to define what layer it lives in. I can get a list but I can't get it to show the layers in the model or place that newly created group on the layer.

Thanks!!!!

You can get a list? But you can't get it to show the layers in the model...
I'm not quite following you. What list are you "getting"? You mean a list in the inputbox?

All the layers are under Skethcup.active_model.layers
http://code.google.com/apis/sketchup/docs/ourdoc/layers.html

thomthom


#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
require 'sketchup.rb'
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

module AM_Named_Group
	
	unless file_loaded?('am_named_group.rb')
		# Add menu items.
		plugins_menu = UI.menu('Edit')
		plugins_menu.add_item('Make Named Group')	{ self.named_group }
	end
	
	def self.named_group
		model = Sketchup.active_model
		sel = model.selection

		# Don't do anything if the selection is empty.
		return if sel.empty?

		# Build an array of the layer names.
		layers = model.layers.to_a.collect { |l| l.name }
		# Ask user for group name.
		list = ['', layers.join('|')]
		prompts = ['Group Name; ', 'Layer; ']
		defaults = [model.definitions.unique_name('Group#1'), model.active_layer.name]
		input = UI.inputbox(prompts, defaults, list, 'New Group')

		# Check if the user cancelled.
		return if input == false
		
		# Get data from result array into variables
		group_name, group_layer = input
		
		# Make it into one Undoable action
		model.start_operation('Make Named Group')
		
		# The add_group method can be buggy when you pass on entities to it's argument. But there's
		# no real options.
		group = model.active_entities.add_group(sel)
		name = model.definitions.unique_name(group_name)
		# We set the name we will see in the Entities window.
		group.name = name
		# We set the definition name as well. If you convert the group to a component, this is the
		# name it will get.
		group.entities.parent.name = name
		# Set group layer
		group.layer = model.layers[group_layer]
		
		# Select the new group
		sel.clear
		sel.add(group)
		
		model.commit_operation
	end
end

#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
file_loaded('am_named_group.rb')
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arkman

Ok, sorry that was unclear.

I can add a list to the inputbox but I cant get that list to show the layers in the model. I can make a list with just random terms that I picked. Like below.

list = ["item1|item2"]

So I guess my question is "How do I get a list in the inputbox that shows all the layers in the model?" I found that help file you showed me but I dont know how to use that. I tried:

list = [Sketchup.active_model.layers]

That didn't work. I'm not really sure how to get the list to use that Skethcup.active_model.layers

Once the list displays the layers in the model, how do I make the object go onto the layer selected in the inputbox?

Thanks for all your help. Sorry for all the questions.

thomthom

@arkman said:

list = [Skethcup.active_model.layers]

That didn't work. I'm not really sure how to get the list to use that Skethcup.active_model.layers

That's because Skethcup.active_model.layers is a collection of Layer objects. You need to collect all the layer names from each object. You see an example in the code I posted.

(And Skethcup was mis-spelled)

Arkman

Incredible! Thank you so much. You just made my life a lot easier!

thomthom

Maybe I should post it as a downloadable plugin?

Arkman

That would probably be extremely helpful. I know a lot of people that could use something like this.

Thanks again!!

Josh

thomthom

Posted it in a separate plugin for easy searching: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=23582

Scott M

Ththomthom I am Just starting out learning Ruby I made a plugin to create a simple rectangle based on the tutorial and would like to insert the name group module you posted could you give me some pointers?

thomthom

There are some sticky thread in the Developer section where links to various best-practices is posted.