Taking a model to particular coordinates

TIG

@tig said:

You'd be better posting queries about scripting in one of our specialized forums...

And you have all the powers to move any topic belonging there, TIG!

I know but hopefully, this is now 'dead' so moving it now seems a waste of time...

borg.stef

Where are the specialized forums?? sorry I'm not very used to this site! THanks

TIG

@borg.stef said:

Where are the specialized forums?? sorry I'm not very used to this site! Thanks

Your post has been transferred by the ever vigilant Gaieus... We are now in the Developers' forum which discusses Ruby etc - there is also a Plugins forum for specific tools... There are many forums and sub-forums please browse them and familiarize yourself - post in the one most relevant to your problem...

borg.stef

Thanks for that.

Dear TIG, I tried your code and it's giving me this error
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method instances' for #<Array:0x7b62f2c>> C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/examples/new2.rb:10 (eval):33:in load'
(eval):33

TIG

@borg.stef said:

Thanks for that.

Dear TIG, I tried your code and it's giving me this error
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method instances' for #<Array:0x7b62f2c>> C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/examples/new2.rb:10 (eval):33:in load'
(eval):33

My fault! Here's the corrected code!

    model = Sketchup.active_model
    ### set x and y as needed...
    x=123.4
    y=567.8
    defs=model.definitions.to_a
    machine = "trial.3ds"
    model.import(machine, true)
    defa=model.definitions.to_a - defs ### what you just added
    defn=defa[0] ####### FIX #######
    obj = defn.instances[0] ### the placed version
    ###pt = model.bounds.center.vector_to([x,y,0]) ### errr ???
    ### do you really want to do this as this 'center' is not 'constant'
    ### would it be better as a 'movement' from the
    ### original object's origin/SKP's ORIGIN [0,0,0]...
    pt=Geom;;Vector3d.new(x, y, 0)
    tr = Geom;;Transformation.translation(pt)
    obj.transform!(tr)

borg.stef

still not taking the model at those coordinates after importion

TIG

It adds the imported object at the origin in the SKP [yes?] - this should be equivalent to the origin in the 3ds file.
The Vector3d moves the object by the given x and y values.
What values are you using for them ?
Try perhaps x=0 and y=100.m - that way if the object moves by 100m you'll know it works!
Are there any errors in the Ruby Console when you run this ??

borg.stef

no errors. its just imported in random coordinates and with the move icon pressed....

TIG

I don't understand you exactly.
If you make x=0 and y=0 it should then simply leave the object where it imported ??
What 'Move icon' ?
As I don't see your whole code can you check that my example code meshes with it as needed.
IF you make x=0 and y=100.m doe sit move the imported object 100m in the green axis ??

borg.stef

I copy and pasted the code that you gave me and I tried x = 0 y = 0 and even x= 0 y = 100.m but it's doing the same in both cases. Importing the model in a random location. I'm so confused.

TIG

So am I.
Can you attach your 3ds file to a post or a Private Message [PM] and I'll look at it...

borg.stef

it shows this message: The extension 3ds is not allowed.

borg.stef

it shows this message : The extension 3ds is not allowed.

TIG

Don't worry about the example 3ds [but you could 'zip' that type of file]... I've found the problem. 3ds files import but expect you to pick an insertion point - some file type imports don't... I'm thinking how to circumvent this...

borg.stef

Thanks for your time...you know I'm new to ruby I don't know these details...just built programs from what i found on the net..thanks!

borg.stef

i can't seem to make this thing work

TIG

No problem... "God loves a trier..."
Here's a version that does work !
I've never had to do this myself and I have written hundreds of scripts - so we all have things to learn
It now imports the 3ds file and places one instance at random, then adds one at the origin [0,0,0].
It deletes the original one instances[0] and leaves the next one and then moves it by x/y values you have set at the start...

    model = Sketchup.active_model
    x=0 ### set x and y as needed...
    y=10.m
    defs=model.definitions.to_a
    machine = "C;\\Temp\\trial.3ds"
    model.import(machine,true)
    defa=model.definitions.to_a - defs ### what you just added
    defn=defa[0]
    defn.instances[0].erase!
    tr=Geom;;Transformation.new(ORIGIN)
    obj=model.active_entities.add_instance(defn, tr)
    pt=Geom;;Vector3d.new(x, y, 0)
    tr=Geom;;Transformation.translation(pt)
    obj.transform!(tr)

We all learn!

borg.stef

wow this actually worked....only that z is high up not 0..

Rich O Brien

Is this a 3ds importer that doesn't need you to place the model after importing? Or what is it?

borg.stef

rich, it imports a model and instantly takes it to particular coordinates dictated by you!