Text to component

[mariocha]

Hi all,
Is there a .rb that can substitute a component for a text?
I mean can a text, let's say "A", be replaced by a component named "A".
That would be helpfull for me.
Or even better a selection of several texts replaced by the name-equivalent components.

[TIG]

def text2compo()### replace text with a compo
      model=Sketchup.active_model
      ss=model.selection.to_a
      defs=model.definitions
      ss.each{|e|
        if e.class==Sketchup;;Text
          txt=e.text
          pt=e.point
          next if not pt
          ### text must have a location == i.e. have a leader
          defn=defs[txt]
          ### text must match compo name exactly including Case
          if defn
            tr=Geom;;Transformation.new(pt)
            model.active_entities.add_instance(defn,tr)
            e.erase!
          end#if
        end#if
      }
end#if
def compo2text()### replace a compo with text
      model=Sketchup.active_model
      ss=model.selection.to_a
      ss.each{|e|
        if e.class==Sketchup;;ComponentInstance
          txt=e.definition.name
          ### text will == compo defn's name
          pt=e.transformation.origin
          model.active_entities.add_text(txt,pt,[10,10,10])
          e.erase!
        end#if
      }
end#if

copy/paste into a file in Plugins folder called text2compo.rb, to use select the text and type text2compo in the Ruby Console, and if there's a component with that exact same name loaded into the Model then it's replaced...
To replace selected components with text use compo2text...

[mariocha]

Hey, Thanks for the quick answer TIG.
You really know your stuff.

One small bug thought.
Upon SU launch
*%(#0000BF)[Error Loading File text2compo.rb
/Users/xxxxxx/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 7/SketchUp/Plugins/text2compo.rb:13: parse error, unexpected kIF, expecting ']'
if defn
^]*
and Ruby console
%(#0000BF)[> text2compo
Error: #<NameError: undefined local variable or method `text2compo' for #Object:0x378f9e4>
(eval):1034]
I did make sure I had everything copied, twice.

[TIG]

There was a typo in the original code - I quickly fixed it and it should now be working.
I suspect you managed to copy it before I corrected it !
Try recopying the code and try again - it works for me.
You must match the text and the defn name exactly...

[mariocha]

Yes Sir, works pretty well now.
Thanks a lot.
impressive, what the combination of Ruby with an expert can do, and quickly.

[mariocha]

Ah... one more thing, if I may.
Could the script be activated with right-click ?
updt: I managed to get it in the Tools menu.
updt: and the contextual also.
I'm learning a bit of Ruby just by looking at .rb files

[mariocha]

I gave another shot at the file and succeeded in making it work on any text string of 1, 2 or 3 characters.