Component browser default view

Paul Russam

++++++1
I'd love to know if this is possible, additionally the how about getting the materials palette to open at a specific library ( or home)

mitcorb

Can you not set a default filepath in Window> Preferences> Files?

TIG

My Material Browser always opens using the last visited subfolder in a Materials collection... It's remembered in the PC's Registry...
It's the same with the last visited subfolders in the Components and Styles Browsers...

Other 'default' File locations are as the user sets them in the Preferences > Files options...
If one of those set folders doesn't exist then it will default to the user's 'Documents' folder.

beginner

We are using the path for styles, materials etc. but it doesn't help us with the models.

Our modelsare saved based on job numbers and stored on the network = we don't have one central location for models

TIG

Can't be done as it uses the 'Models' path value entered in the Preferences dialog.
Changing that is fixed till the user changes again.
It set on exit from Sketchup: so you can't write any code to reset it in the Registry whilst in Sketchup, because although it might change in the Registry entry whilst Sketchup is open, Sketchup uses the path loaded at start up or last set in the Preferences dialog, and on a close the Registry is updated with that version overwriting what you might have just reset in code.

You could set it to one folder up on the network - e.g. "P:/Projects/" so you only need to select the project-folder from the list presented - assuming that the projects are in subfolders in that main location...

You could write a cunning Ruby tool that writes the current SKP path into a 'Temp' file as Sketchup closes a SKP [onQuitObserver?], then when Sketchup is NOT active a parallel system-based tool reads the path's value in the 'Temp' file, it then deletes that file.
It checks for the files existence frequently - when that file reappears we know Sketchup has closed and we rewrite the Registry again etc... Unfortunately multiple instances of Sketchup will result in a false change because the last SKP to close wins...
Perhaps it could use 'HotKeys' ?
BUT this seems incredibly convoluted and prone to error...

pbacot

Doesn't default to last-sued for me. Component folder view, is as I noted, an old folder that I haven't used in a long time...

"Preferences > Files options..."? never seen it.

But I have to look up the directory you show. Be back soon.

beginner

The folders structure is more complex but it's easy to use on **'project by project'**basis:

Network Drive:

1.1 Projects

1.1.1 2008
1.1.2 2009
1.1.3 2010
1.1.4 2011
1.1.5 2012

1.1.5.1 Presentations

1.1.5.1.1 Models

1.1.5.1.1.1 SketchUp

1.2 Enquiries

1.2.1 2008
1.2.2 2009
1.2.3 2010
1.2.4 2011
1.2.5 2012

1.2.5.1 Presentations

1.2.5.1.1 Models

1.2.5.1.1.1 SketchUp
and so on...

TIG

Well you are knacked then unless you get a HotKeys exe and the onQuit Ruby working together...

beginner

TIG,
Never mind.
I always saved them 'manually' where I have to save - it would be few years by now and it works.
Thank you.

TIG

I slept on it and have a few observer/vbs ideas... I'll continue this by PM... if I have time to come up with anything.