Start SketchUp 8 without plugins

jwall04

I know I can move plugins out of the plugin directory to prevent them from loading but does anyone know if there's a way to launch SketchUp 8 without loading plugins, something like running "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google SketchUp 8\SketchUp.exe" -noplugins

The reason I ask is we're using LibFredo v4.7a, RoundCorner v2.3a and SphereTool v1.4 and I think one or more of these plugins may be causing problems, I just want an easy way to allow our users to open SketchUp without plugins to test this for me.

TIG

Use plugins_disabled=true in the Ruby Console to switch them off, so that when you restart Sketchup there are NO Plugins loaded - irrespective of what's in the folder.
Conversely plugins_disabled=false switches them on again when you restart.

jwall04

Thanks TIG. Is there any way to disable plugins at runtime? This method requires users to open SketchUp, disable plugins and then reopen the app correct?

TIG

This disables/enables plugins at runtime [and thereafter until it's changed] but you do need to open Sketchup, change the setting, restart Sketchup, test, change the setting, restart Sketchup... But it's hardly more faff than opening system cmd window, typing stuff in to open Sketchup without plugins, test and restart...

jwall04

This is in a school environment where users double-click the shortcut I provide them, if that shortcut can disable plugins before opening SketchUp it'll save them, and me, a lot of trouble.

jeff hammond

temporarily rename or move the plugins folder?

(on mac, you could make a little automator action or service which could do this automatically.. probably something similar on windows?)

[probably not the best solution.. but from a user pov, an easy way to see it happening]

TIG

On a PC you can make a pair of .cmd files to switch off Plugins and switch on Plugins.
By renaming Plugins as Plugins!, and back again...
Along the lines of:
rename "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google SketchUp 8\Plugins" "Plugins!" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google SketchUp 8\SketchUp.exe"
and then again:
rename "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google SketchUp 8\Plugins!" "Plugins" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google SketchUp 8\SketchUp.exe"

The executor will need enough security permissions to rename the folder...

jwall04

I have started on a vbs to move the plugins out of the plugins folder but simply renaming the folder is much easier, thanks for the suggestion.

thomthom

@jwall04 said:

This is in a school environment where users double-click the shortcut I provide them, if that shortcut can disable plugins before opening SketchUp it'll save them, and me, a lot of trouble.

Add /DisableRubyAPI as argument to the link.

TIG

Thanks thomthom - I suspected there was an undocumented/unsupported flag like /DisableRubyAPI but couldn't find it... Do you have a list of these ?

thomthom

No, I don't remember where I got it from either. I just had it on my desktop.

thomthom

Notice how quickly SketchUp starts up without the Ruby API... o_O

TIG

I know of Sketchup.exe -RubyStartup "c:\path\to\My Script.rb" but that's about it

thomthom

@tig said:

I know of Sketchup.exe -RubyStartup "c:\path\to\My Script.rb" but that's about it

Interesting! Does that start the given script in addition or instead of?

TIG

That starts Sketchup, loading [and potentially running, if it contains self-running code] that Ruby before, any others...

jwall04

Thank you thomthom, that's exactly what I was looking for

@thomthom said:

Add /DisableRubyAPI as argument to the link.

Jim

@tig said:

Thanks thomthom - I suspected there was an undocumented/unsupported flag like /DisableRubyAPI but couldn't find it... Do you have a list of these ?

See here:
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=454478#p454478