Mysterious Bug [followme related]

[Chris88]

The course of action of my program, which conduces to woodworking:
in C#:

• read technical values out of xml-files
• generate a rubyscript for every object
  (tool, wood, machining line,...) in .txt- format
• replace the wildcards (i.e: width,height,depth of a wooden box)
• put all rubyscripts together an name the file xy.rb
• start Sketchup with the file xy.rb as argument

... and my code is all but finished, when i start SU with the file xy.rb it crashes and SU reports a "bug splat"
http://images.wikia.com/sketchyphysics/images/6/63/BugSplat.png

[thomthom]

Right. And I understand that it crashes when you start SU with an argument to execute that plugin? Correct?

But not if start SketchUp and use the Ruby Console to load it?

If the plugin is located in the plugin folder - does it crash then?

This is what is unclear to me.

@unknownuser said:

this bug is only when loading the script out of the plugins
<- I don't understand what you mean there. "out of the plugins"?

[Dan Rathbun]

Try it like this:

module Chris88

  module LineA

    TIMER = nil

    def self.create_line()
      # delete lines 1-4 with loop
      #
      begin
        model.start_operation( 'LineA' )
        #
        # the rest of your method code
        #
      rescue => e
        model.abort_operation
        puts("#{Module.nesting[0].name} Error #<#{e.class.name}; #{e.message}>")
        puts(e.backtrace)
      else
        model.commit_operation
      end
    end # def

  end # module LineA


  # run when file loads
  #
  if Sketchup.active_model &&
  Sketchup.active_model.active_entities
    LineA.create_line
  else
    LineA;;TIMER = UI.start_timer(2.0, true){
      if Sketchup.active_model &&
      Sketchup.active_model.active_entities
        UI.stop_timer(LineA;;TIMER)
        LineA.create_line
      end #if
    }
  end

end # module Chris88

Your modules need to be wrapped inside your "author" outer module.

[Chris88]

@thomthom: Correct. And yes, it crashes if it's located in the plugin-folder, too.
And it doesn't matter, if i load the script with the Ruby Console or if i start SU normally and the script is in the plugin-folder.

@Dan: Thanks Dan! I will test it in a few minutes...

[thomthom]

I tried the code you posted initially. I get no crash. I did however leave out LineA.create_line so that it would not execute when SU loaded.

I called the method afterwards in SU.

Sidenote - it seems that you create the profile for your shape (the circle) many times. Many small segments for what is in reality one single tube. As you can see- you end up with gaps where the straight sides meets the arced corners.

You would avoid that by making the tube as you would in SU. Making one single path, and one profile - then using follow me only once for the whole shape.

Should make a cleaner geometry, be faster and simplify the code.

[thomthom]

Oh yea - as Dan suggested with his code. several operations should be wrapped in .start_operation - .commit_operation so it produces only one undo step. And if you use the disable_ui argument it should run faster.

[Dan Rathbun]

@thomthom said:

I tried the code you posted initially. I get no crash. I did however leave out LineA.create_line so that it would not execute when SU loaded.

Yea, it's dangerous to do stuff during SU load, as all the Google extensions are not yet loaded like Dynamic Components.

[Dan Rathbun]

maybe a wait timer like this is safer...

  # run when file loads
  #
  if Sketchup.active_model &&
  Sketchup.active_model.active_entities
    UI.start_timer(0.0, false){ LineA.create_line }
  else
    LineA;;TIMER = UI.start_timer(2.0, true){
      if Sketchup.active_model &&
      Sketchup.active_model.active_entities
        UI.stop_timer(LineA;;TIMER)
        LineA.create_line
      end #if
    }
  end

[Chris88]

@Dan: Thank you. Now my code looks like:

require 'sketchup.rb'

module Chris88

  module LineA

    TIMER = nil

    def self.create_line()
      # delete lines 1-4 with loop
      #
       model = Sketchup.active_model
       entities = model.active_entities
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
       # Add the group to the entities in the model
       group = entities.add_group
       # Get the entities within the group
       # alle Objekte die den entities2 zugeordnet werden, werden automatisch zu einer gemeinsamen Gruppe gemacht
       entities2 = group.entities
      
      begin
        model.start_operation( 'LineA' )
        
        @width_small = 55 # 55  
        @depth_small = 45 # 45  
        @height_small = 30 # 30 
        @width_big = 70 # 70 
        @depth_big = 60 # 60
        @height_big = 70 # 40
    
        @height_line = (4/3) * @height_small
        @radius = 1
        @arcradius = 3        
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------   
        @mat_linie=model.materials.add("Material_Linie")
        @mat_linie.color=Sketchup;;Color.new(124,252,0)  # => LawnGreen
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
        @anzahl_arcs = ((@depth_small-6)/6).to_i
    
        @pts =[]
        @helpvar_depth = 3
        @helpvar_pts = 1
        @helpvar_baseline = 1
        @helpvar_basearc = 1     
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
       1.upto(@anzahl_arcs) do |x|
        @helpvar2_pts = @helpvar_pts +1
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
       if (x%2 > 0)
        @pts[@helpvar_pts] = [((@width_big-@width_small)/2)+5.35, ((@depth_big-@depth_small)/2)+@helpvar_depth, @height_line]
        @pts[@helpvar_pts+1] = [@width_small+((@width_big-@width_small)/2)-5.3, ((@depth_big-@depth_small)/2)+@helpvar_depth, @height_line]
        # arc_point
        @pts[@helpvar_pts+2] = [@width_small+((@width_big-@width_small)/2)-5, ((@depth_big-@depth_small)/2)+(@helpvar_depth+3), @height_line]
          
        arc_circle_odd = entities2.add_circle @pts[@helpvar_pts+1], X_AXIS, @radius, 42 
        arc_circle_face_odd = entities2.add_face arc_circle_odd
        arc_circle_face_odd.material = @mat_linie
        arc_circle_face_odd.back_material = @mat_linie

        line_circle_odd = entities2.add_circle @pts[@helpvar_pts], X_AXIS, @radius, 42 
        line_circle_face_odd = entities2.add_face line_circle_odd
        line_circle_face_odd.material = @mat_linie
        line_circle_face_odd.back_material = @mat_linie

        @helpvar_baseline_odd = entities2.add_line @pts[@helpvar_pts], @pts[@helpvar_pts+1]

        @helpvar_basearc_odd = entities2.add_arc @pts[@helpvar_pts+2],[0,-1,0],[0,0,1],@arcradius,-5.degrees,185.degrees 
        
        arc_circle_face_odd.followme @helpvar_basearc_odd
        line_circle_face_odd.followme @helpvar_baseline_odd
        
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
      elsif (x%2 == 0) 
        @pts[@helpvar2_pts-1] = [((@width_big-@width_small)/2)+5.3, ((@depth_big-@depth_small)/2)+@helpvar_depth, @height_line]
        @pts[@helpvar2_pts] = [@width_small+((@width_big-@width_small)/2)-5.35, ((@depth_big-@depth_small)/2)+@helpvar_depth, @height_line]
        # arc_point
        @pts[@helpvar2_pts+1] = [((@width_big-@width_small)/2)+5, ((@depth_big-@depth_small)/2)+(@helpvar_depth+3), @height_line]
              
        arc_circle_even = entities2.add_circle @pts[@helpvar2_pts-1], X_AXIS, @radius, 42 
        arc_circle_face_even = entities2.add_face arc_circle_even
        arc_circle_face_even.material = @mat_linie
        arc_circle_face_even.back_material = @mat_linie
        
        line_circle_even = entities2.add_circle @pts[@helpvar2_pts], X_AXIS, @radius, 42 
        line_circle_face_even = entities2.add_face line_circle_even
        line_circle_face_even.material = @mat_linie
        line_circle_face_even.back_material = @mat_linie
                
        @helpvar_baseline_even = entities2.add_line @pts[@helpvar2_pts], @pts[@helpvar2_pts-1]

        @helpvar_basearc_even = entities2.add_arc @pts[@helpvar2_pts+1],[0,1,0],[0,0,1],@arcradius,-5.degrees,185.degrees
        
        arc_circle_face_even.followme @helpvar_basearc_even
        line_circle_face_even.followme @helpvar_baseline_even
        
      end # if
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
      if (x == @anzahl_arcs)
        @pts[@helpvar_pts] = [((@width_big-@width_small)/2)+5.35, ((@depth_big-@depth_small)/2)+(@helpvar_depth+6), @height_line]
        @pts[@helpvar_pts+1] = [@width_small+((@width_big-@width_small)/2)-5, ((@depth_big-@depth_small)/2)+(@helpvar_depth+6), @height_line]
        
        @helpvar_baseline_ende = entities2.add_line @pts[@helpvar_pts], @pts[@helpvar_pts+1]
        
        line_circle_odd = entities2.add_circle @pts[@helpvar_pts], X_AXIS, @radius, 42 
        line_circle_face_odd = entities2.add_face line_circle_odd
        line_circle_face_odd.material = @mat_linie
        line_circle_face_odd.back_material = @mat_linie

        line_circle_face_odd.followme @helpvar_baseline_ende
        
      end # if
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
      @helpvar_depth = @helpvar_depth + 6
      @helpvar_pts = @helpvar_pts + 3
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    end # upto - do    
    
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------        
      rescue => e
        model.abort_operation
        puts("#{Module.nesting[0].name} Error #<#{e.class.name}; #{e.message}>")
        puts(e.backtrace)
      else
        model.commit_operation
      end
    end # def

  end # module LineA


  # run when file loads
  #
  if Sketchup.active_model &&
  Sketchup.active_model.active_entities
    LineA.create_line
  else
    LineA;;TIMER = UI.start_timer(2.0, true){
      if Sketchup.active_model &&
      Sketchup.active_model.active_entities
        UI.stop_timer(LineA;;TIMER)
        LineA.create_line
      end #if
    }
  end

end # module Chris88

Is this what do you mean?
However it doesn't solve the bug.

@thomthom: Thanks, that could help me. I know this, what you wrote in your sidenode, but it didn't work: When i draw a circle and a path, which starts at the central point of the cricle, Sketchup draw only the lines, but not the curves. This is why i decided alternatively to draw the lines and the curves seperately. Do you think the gaps could be the reason for the bug?

[Chris88]

Dan, i have to correct myself: It works, when i load the script from the Ruby Console = step forward! [Edit:] i just noticed, this is what thomthom meant. [/Edit]
But it doesn't work yet, when i want to load the script from the plugin-folder by starting SU normally and the script is located in the plugin-folder.

[thomthom]

@chris88 said:

Do you think the gaps could be the reason for the bug?

Don't think so. Just a sidenote. It is possible to create that shape in one operation.

[Dan Rathbun]

Alright replace the load loop with this ...

  # run when file loads
  #
  prevdir = Dir.getwd
  Dir.chdir Sketchup.find_support_file("Tools")
  tools = Dir["*.rb"]
  Dir.chdir(prevdir)
  if ( tools & $LOADED_FEATURES == tools ) &&
  Sketchup.active_model &&
  Sketchup.active_model.active_entities
    UI.start_timer(2.0, false){ LineA.create_line }
  else
    timer_LineA = UI.start_timer(2.0, true){
      if ( tools & $LOADED_FEATURES == tools ) &&
      Sketchup.active_model &&
      Sketchup.active_model.active_entities
        UI.stop_timer(timer_LineA)
        LineA.create_line
      end #if
    }
  end
  tools = nil

[Dan Rathbun]

And here's a version that makes sure the Tool Stack is ready ...

  # run when file loads
  #
  prevdir = Dir.getwd
  Dir.chdir Sketchup.find_support_file("Tools")
  tools = Dir["*.rb"]
  Dir.chdir(prevdir)
  if ( tools & $LOADED_FEATURES == tools ) &&
  Sketchup.active_model &&
  Sketchup.active_model.active_entities &&
  Sketchup.active_model.tools.active_tool_id != 0
    UI.start_timer(2.0, false){ LineA.create_line }
  else
    timer_LineA = UI.start_timer(2.0, true){
      if ( tools & $LOADED_FEATURES == tools ) &&
      Sketchup.active_model &&
      Sketchup.active_model.active_entities &&
      Sketchup.active_model.tools.active_tool_id != 0
        UI.stop_timer(timer_LineA)
        LineA.create_line
      end #if
    }
  end
  tools = nil

[TIG]

Let's step back to the very beginning...
Do you need this script to run automatically EVERY time EVERY SKP opens?
A. Yes.
Why for goodness sake ???
A. No.
Then what's the problem?
If it runs from a menu/toolbar then everything will be loaded by the time you think about using it anyway. Just do NOT include the code that runs it as it loads and everything is cushty!

[Dan Rathbun]

Because he's generating ruby scripts (that build geometry,) from a C# program, which reads XML data.
A batch mode use of Sketchup.

He's not that good with Ruby, or else he could use Ruby's XML libraries directly.

And I do have an API request in for an AppObserver "onReadyState" callback method.

[thomthom]

Well, I tried the snippet - installed in my Plugins folder - now executing the command. It splatted. But wrapping the command in a timer that delay the operation with two seconds - no splat.

[Dan Rathbun]

The processing of the Tools dir must complete, so that the menus and toolbars can all be built and displayed.

[TIG]

Isn't he doing it arse-before-face as we say in the UK ?

Open Sketchup.
Start_operation.
Run the external 'tool'...
Load the objects in turn, each one as an individual component.
When all objects are done Export those objects in turn as separate SKPs.
Abort_operation.
Close Sketchup [no save].

That way nothing relies on something else 'opening in time' ?

[Dan Rathbun]

@tig said:

Isn't he doing it arse-before-face as we say in the UK ?

We'll, he knows C#, and not much of Ruby.

Instead of using Sketchup in a hacked batchmode... he or someone needs to wrap the C++ Interfaces for SKPWriter.DLL for C#. (Likely someone has already done it.) Any way it would be better to directly create skps.

[Chris88]

THANKS to all for your efforts!
Now it works!!! it's slower than before, but it runs and that's the main thing!
@Dan: Thank you, you're the best! ^^