[Plugin] Name Group on Creation

Jim · 29 Apr 2008, 09:24

This simple script creates a Group from the selected geometry, then prompts for the group's name. Use the "Make Named Group" function from the Edit menu. Also has a context menu item.

2010-Dec-07

Up to 20 Names are saved between SketchUp sessions. The names are sored ina file name Plugins/makeNamedGroups_names.txt, which can be edited using a plain-text editor - one name per line.

This file is meant to replace the file named makeNamedGroup+.rb, if installed.

Download
makeNamedGroup.rb

Stinkie · 29 Apr 2008, 09:53

Thanks. Very handy.

alz · 29 Apr 2008, 13:37

Nice - Thanks Jim! I've added it as my new group shortcut.

plot-paris · 1 May 2008, 07:33

quite handy.
but sometimes I dont want to name a group (for example if it is just temporary). I do know nothing about programming. but is it possible to write a ruby, that lets the cursor appear within the group's name in the outliner after creation instead of popping up a new window?

that would be the perfect solution for me...

Jim · 1 May 2008, 10:21

@plot-paris said:

quite handy.
but sometimes I dont want to name a group (for example if it is just temporary). I do know nothing about programming. but is it possible to write a ruby, that lets the cursor appear within the group's name in the outliner after creation instead of popping up a new window?

that would be the perfect solution for me...

Just tapping the Enter key will make the dialog go away and name the group "Group". There is no way to select the group in the outliner for editing. (At least from Ruby.)

JClements · 1 May 2008, 14:39

Thanks Jim, I changed my shortcut for grouping to your script.

Question: Is it possible to have the Input Box "remember" its last position? Sometimes the input boxes can coverup the area you are working on and I want to move them out of the way.

a4chitect · 1 May 2008, 17:11

it should ideally prompt in the VCB only

Jim · 1 May 2008, 22:01

@jclements said:

Thanks Jim, I changed my shortcut for grouping to your script.

Question: Is it possible to have the Input Box "remember" its last position? Sometimes the input boxes can coverup the area you are working on and I want to move them out of the way.

Yes, but only if I switch it to use a WebDialog. Which I will do a little later just for kicks.

Jim · 1 May 2008, 22:03

@a4chitect said:

it should ideally prompt in the VCB only

I quite like this idea - no dialog at all. I'll try this too.

EDIT: Unfortunately, this can't be done. Anyone guess why?

RickW · 3 May 2008, 17:14

Going strictly on (sometimes faulty) memory, I think VCB input is only available to tools.

Jim · 3 May 2008, 17:45

@rickw said:

Going strictly on (sometimes faulty) memory, I think VCB input is only available to tools.

True, and also any key shortcut you hit while typing the name will exit the Tool anyway.

a4chitect · 3 May 2008, 18:52

sorry for not checking myself first... thanks for looking into it

AlexMozg · 20 May 2008, 22:14

Jim, thank you for a wonderful idea.
I edited your script and added list of the before entered values for a substitution
and also checking for an empty selection.
Jim, once again thank you.

Jim, I regret because published this script here.
I think that it is not nice for my part.

j_forrester · 9 Sept 2008, 13:10

Can this be used commercially?

Jim · 9 Sept 2008, 23:02

@j_forrester said:

Can this be used commercially?

I sent you a PM.

bianhai · 10 Sept 2008, 07:57

Thanks!Jim!

watkins · 10 Sept 2008, 13:05

Dear Jim,

Could you possibly modify your script to include a toggle On/OFF icon so that the box can be made to automatically pop up when a group is created. As it stands, leaving the Entity Info box open on the screen is more convenient. The box automatically popping up would remind the user to name the group, making Outliner easier to use. The toggle OFF option would be useful for those not needing the detail.

Kind regards,
Bob

Jim · 16 Sept 2008, 21:18

@alexmozg said:

Jim, thank you for a wonderful idea.
I edited your script and added list of the before entered values for a substitution
and also checking for an empty selection.
Jim, once again thank you.

Jim, I regret because published this script here.
I think that it is not nice for my part.

Thanks, I've included your modified version in the first post of this thread.

watkins · 18 Sept 2008, 20:05

Dear Jim,

I note that when a named group is deleted it disappears from the list in Outliner, but not from the list in makeNamedGroup+.rb.

Is there any way to update/purge the list when groups are deleted?

Kind regards,

Bob

Jim · 18 Sept 2008, 20:33

Hi Bob,

I'll have a look at it over the weekend, as well as your earlier message.