Suggestion for code - Minimize (rollup) Outliner

[JClements]

If you run an intensive script in a model with lots of groups and components and have the Outliner open and maximized (rolled down), then things can come to grinding halt (or nearly a grinding halt).

Could a block of code developed which could be used in new or existing scripts or called from within a script which would do the following????:

1- Check to see if the Outliner is open and maximized (rolled down). If so, Roll it up or close it.
2- Then execute the intended script.
3- When the intended script is finished, the Outliner is Rolled down or re-opened ... to whatever state it was prior to running the intended script.

John

[Jim]

That's a good suggestion, John.

I tried a quick experiment. It is possible to shade the Outliner from Ruby, but I don't see a way to tell if it is currently open. Anyone have an idea about that?

Note that the Ruby API in SketchUp 7 has changed to address this issue. The change is in the start_operation method:

SU 6:

Sketchup.active_model.start_operation("Create a zillion faces")

versus SU 7:

Sketchup.active_model.start_operation("Create a zillion faces", true)

[CPhillips]

I wrote this up a while ago. I am pretty sure I sent it to you Jim...

def toggleRollUp(name)
    findWindow = Win32API.new("user32.dll", "FindWindow", ['P','P'], 'N')
    pw=findWindow.call(0,name)
   
    sendMessage = Win32API.new("user32.dll", "SendMessage", ['N','N','N','P'], 'N')
   
    sendMessage.call (pw,0x00a1,2,"")#WM_NCLBUTTONDOWN
    sendMessage.call(pw,0x0202,0,"")#WM_LBUTTONUP
end
def isRolledUp(name)
    findWindow = Win32API.new("user32.dll", "FindWindow", ['P','P'], 'N')
    getWindowRect= Win32API.new("user32.dll", "GetWindowRect",['P','PP'], 'N')
    pw=findWindow.call(0,name) 

    data=Array.new.fill(0.chr,0..4*4).join
    getWindowRect.call (pw,data);
    rect=data.unpack("i*")
        #if window height is less than 90 then the window is rolledup
    return (rect[3]-rect[1])<90
end

[kwistenbiebel]

Wow, this is an excellent idea.

The outliner is a fantastic tool when editing.
But it is indeed a pain in the ass when you got it open while using heavy scripts.

This (future) script might save me a headache

[Jim]

You would still need to add it every existing script you want to use it in.

[JClements]

Jim F:

So if CPhillips' code can be stored as a .rb and is given a name like "Outliner_Rollup.rb" and it is located in the SU/Plugins directory, what code would need to be inserted into a script to call Outliner_Rollup.rb and where should it be placed relative to the existing code?

John

[CPhillips]

@jclements said:

Jim F:

So if CPhillips' code can be stored as a .rb and is given a name like "Outliner_Rollup.rb" and it is located in the SU/Plugins directory, what code would need to be inserted into a script to call Outliner_Rollup.rb and where should it be placed relative to the existing code?

John

I added hideOutliner() and restoreOutliner(). Just call before and after your script respectively.

require "win32api.so"
#these 2 functions are untested but should work.
def hideOutliner()
   $bOutlinerWasOpen=!isRolledUp("Outliner")
   toggleRollUp("Outliner") if $bOutlinerWasOpen
end
def restoreOutliner()
   toggleRollUp("Outliner") if $bOutlinerWasOpen
end

def toggleRollUp(name)
    findWindow = Win32API.new("user32.dll", "FindWindow", ['P','P'], 'N')
    pw=findWindow.call(0,name)
   
    sendMessage = Win32API.new("user32.dll", "SendMessage", ['N','N','N','P'], 'N')
   
    sendMessage.call (pw,0x00a1,2,"")#WM_NCLBUTTONDOWN
    sendMessage.call(pw,0x0202,0,"")#WM_LBUTTONUP
end
def isRolledUp(name)
    findWindow = Win32API.new("user32.dll", "FindWindow", ['P','P'], 'N')
    getWindowRect= Win32API.new("user32.dll", "GetWindowRect",['P','PP'], 'N')
    pw=findWindow.call(0,name)

    data=Array.new.fill(0.chr,0..4*4).join
    getWindowRect.call (pw,data);
    rect=data.unpack("i*")
        #if window height is less than 90 then the window is rolledup
    return (rect[3]-rect[1])<90
end

[avariant]

While you'll still need a method to determine if the Outliner is visible or not... you can just call this:

UI.show_inspector "Outliner"

to toggle between rolled up and rolled down. (At least in SU 7, didn't try 6)

[alz]

Had a similar problem awhile back and just hacked it by adding "Sketchup.send_action 21926" before/after the function to temporarily hide all the dialog windows.

The above ideas are more elegant and official, however

--alz

[Jim]

Is this still valid for Ruby 2, or is there now a better way using the Ruby StdLib?

[johnzdennis]

I see this thread is almost ten years old, but has this issue ever actually gotten fixed?