How to set Layer property of a Group?

[GrojGuy]

I'm really sorry to post such a seemingly-simple question, but I'm at a loss where to discover the answer, after significant searching.

In Ruby, how does one assign the Layer property of a Group? (there is no Group.layer= method)

Thanks...

[thomthom]

Notice that in the API docs, above the list of methods for each class it says "Parent:". And for Group it says:

@unknownuser said:

Parent: Drawingelement

And the Drawingelement class has a layer property.

Have a look at the Objects Diagram for an overview of the classes' relationships:
http://code.google.com/apis/sketchup/docs/diagram.html

[GrojGuy]

Thank you. I had seen that, but was thrown off a little the "Introduction" for "Drawingelement" which states...

@unknownuser said:

...These items include edges, contruction points, construction lines, and images...

No mention of "groups" (which did seem contradictory to the Objects Diagram). But now I see I need to get more familiar with the API Object structure.

[Dan Rathbun]

What Thomas left unsaid, is that a subclass inherits methods from it's superclass.

At the Ruby console, type:
Sketchup::Group.instance_methods.sort
.. and you'll see that the group class has inherited a layer= method.

[GrojGuy]

Ah yes, OK, that would make sense, i.e. class inheretance. But, from your comment I was anticipating seeing "layer=" in the instance methods list returned by that nifty command...

Sketchup;;Group.instance_methods.sort
(eval);64; warning; instance_methods; parameter will default to 'true' as of 1.8.1
["add_observer", "copy", "createObservers", "definition", "description", "description=", "entities", "explode", "local_bounds", "locked=", "locked?", "make_unique", "move!", "name", "name=", "remove_observer", "to_component", "transform!", "transformation", "transformation="]

So, why is "layer=" it not in the list?

[TIG]

There are several methods that apply to certain classes that aren't listed as they are 'subsidiary'.
These include
group.layer= instance.layer= group.material= instance.material= group.erase! group.hidden=
The list is in http://code.google.com/apis/sketchup/docs/ourdoc/drawingelement.html
for 'drawingelements' - which applies to these kind of things too...
If in doubt try them... you can but fail...

[Dan Rathbun]

@grojguy said:

Ah yes, OK, that would make sense, i.e. class inheretance. But, from your comment I was anticipating seeing "layer=" in the instance methods list returned by that nifty command...
So, why is "layer=" it not in the list?

Because.. you see the warning for the "show inherited" argument is default false for your version of Ruby, but will (actually was,) changed to true as a default, in all Ruby versions 1.8.1 and higher.

IF you are still using Sketchup 7.x, then the Ruby DLL distro'd is v1.8.0-initial_release (ie: patch_level p0)

You can backup the current "Deceased 1.8.0" dll, msvcrt-ruby18.dll by renaming it: msvcrt-ruby180_p0.dll
then replace it with your choice of a newer version from: Ruby Interpreter DLLs (Win32) (you will need to make a copy of the version you want Sketchup to load named: msvcrt-ruby18.dll.)
.