Taking a model to particular coordinates

TIG

Don't worry about the example 3ds [but you could 'zip' that type of file]... I've found the problem. 3ds files import but expect you to pick an insertion point - some file type imports don't... I'm thinking how to circumvent this...

borg.stef

Thanks for your time...you know I'm new to ruby I don't know these details...just built programs from what i found on the net..thanks!

borg.stef

i can't seem to make this thing work

TIG

No problem... "God loves a trier..."
Here's a version that does work !
I've never had to do this myself and I have written hundreds of scripts - so we all have things to learn
It now imports the 3ds file and places one instance at random, then adds one at the origin [0,0,0].
It deletes the original one instances[0] and leaves the next one and then moves it by x/y values you have set at the start...

    model = Sketchup.active_model
    x=0 ### set x and y as needed...
    y=10.m
    defs=model.definitions.to_a
    machine = "C;\\Temp\\trial.3ds"
    model.import(machine,true)
    defa=model.definitions.to_a - defs ### what you just added
    defn=defa[0]
    defn.instances[0].erase!
    tr=Geom;;Transformation.new(ORIGIN)
    obj=model.active_entities.add_instance(defn, tr)
    pt=Geom;;Vector3d.new(x, y, 0)
    tr=Geom;;Transformation.translation(pt)
    obj.transform!(tr)

We all learn!

borg.stef

wow this actually worked....only that z is high up not 0..

Rich O Brien

Is this a 3ds importer that doesn't need you to place the model after importing? Or what is it?

borg.stef

rich, it imports a model and instantly takes it to particular coordinates dictated by you!

TIG

The code as it stands adds a component-instance based on the 3ds file at the origin [0,0,0]... after all of the kerfuffle.
It then moves it by the defined x & y values, the z isn't changed at all.
IF the original object is not z=0, then it simply stays where it is in the 3ds file ???
There are ways to move all of the definitions geometry to z=0 BUT that's not the original request ?
Please check the 3ds's geometry and the SKP's for similarities if x=0 & y=0...

TIG

@unknownuser said:

Is this a 3ds importer that doesn't need you to place the model after importing? Or what is it?

This 3ds importer [built-in] DOES require you to place it BUT my cludged work-around does work... just about

Rich O Brien

Can it place the 3ds file by lowest point of bounding box centre at 0,0,0? I'm not at pc to check this out?

TIG

@unknownuser said:

Can it place the 3ds file by lowest point of bounding box centre at 0,0,0? I'm not at pc to check this out?

Yes it could... BUT currently it simply moves it in x/y...
If I'm asked the right questions I might give the right answers...

borg.stef

How can the model alwayx go to z = 0?

TIG

First off... do the code as before, but leave x=0 and y=0.
What is the z ?
If that's known then add the -z in Vector3d.new(x, y, -z)
It should fix it.
BUT IF it's not easily known then perhaps use z=obj.bounds.min.z
and then re-transform! the obj using a new vector of (0,0,-z)...........

Rich O Brien

@unknownuser said:

If I'm asked the right questions I might give the right answers

Audible sigh.....

TIG

@unknownuser said:

@unknownuser said:

If I'm asked the right questions I might give the right answers

Audible sigh.....
BUT we will sort this out [eventually... ]

Gaieus

@tig said:

@gaieus said:

And you have all the powers to move any topic belonging there, TIG!

I know but hopefully, this is now 'dead' so moving it now seems a waste of time...

Ah yes, so the topic has grown to 3 pages ever since.

Anyway, looking forward to the "doh" moment (not as if I understood any of the discussion here - maybe except for Rich's gibbering)

Rich O Brien

Aaah, look who's cheered up. Did you find your little unwelcome friend?

TIG

@gaieus said:

@tig said:

@gaieus said:

And you have all the powers to move any topic belonging there, TIG!

I know but hopefully, this is now 'dead' so moving it now seems a waste of time...

Ah yes, so the topic has grown to 3 pages ever since.

Anyway, looking forward to the "doh" moment (not as if I understood any of the discussion here - maybe except for Rich's gibbering)

The announcement of the demise of the topic was a little premature [to paraphrase Mark Twain [again]]...
There's also the PMing that you don't see

borg.stef

This programm is actually making me crazy. What I am doing is that Matlab gives me a list example like this in a text file.
milling
500 (x axis)
400 (y axis)
0 (rot)
drilling
600
.....etc
and then I use this text file in the program above. However it gives me an error: Failed import. strangely enough when I remove the first name and its coordinates and rotation and moves the second one in its place, it works. Do you think this is a problem about the matlab code or sketchup?

TIG

You give us no real example but expect us to help you...
Can you attach a typical file so we can understand what you are trying to extract from the file...
IF the format is as your post suggests...

milling
500 (x axis)
400 (y axis)
0 (rot)
drilling
600 THEN your code needs to find 'milling' and then after that the next two lines are X, Y & the third line 'rot' give your values '.to_f'; when you meet another 'milling' you stop and start again. If you meet another 'drilling' you stop and take a value '.to_f' from the drilling [whatever that is?] etc...
IF you give us an example of the file you are wanting to read in, and what you hope to get out of it to put into your SKP THEN we might be better placed to help you - rather than this current 'bits & bobs' approach which isn't getting anyone anywhere...