Complex scripting/plugin - to create a component library

TIG

So...
You can get all of the DWG outlines into your SKP as individual components.
Let's assume these are all drawn the correct height in CAD.
Say 1700mm for a figure.
Let's next assume your SKP was empty so we can use:
model=Sketchup.active_model defs=model.definitions cnames=[] defs.each{|d|cnames << d.name} cnames.sort!
So we have a list of names.
Let's also hope the related images have the same names.
So let's assume the first one is called 'Adam001.dwg' and the related image file is now 'Adam001.tif'.
So processing the defs...
` f='P:\02 General\Resource Library\CAD People\Images'### or whatever
cnames.each{|name|
d=defs[name]
bb=Gem::Boundingbox.new
d.entities.each{|e|bb.add(e.bounds)}

add image

img=d.entities.add_image(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".tif"), ORIGIN, bb.width, bb.height)
img.explode
togos=[]
d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup::Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
d.entities.erase_entities(togos)
d.entities.each{|e|e.reverse! if e.is_a?(Sketchup::Face) && e.normal!=Z_AXIS}

now stand it up

tr=Geom::Transformation.rotation(ORIGIN, X_AXIS, -90.degrees)
d.entities.transform_entities(tr, d.entities.to_a)
}You could also make it faceme etc... Next to export the defs. cnames.each{|name| defs[name].save_as(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".skp"))}`

This is untested... but you should get the idea...

Lersince1991

TIG!

Thanks this is looking good!

However I may seem like I knew what I was doing in the previous email but I don't really have a clue with ruby script! Would you be able to make it clearer what I need to change from the code and get to a point where I can copy and paste it into the ruby console please?

Few things to add into it if possible:
Firstly the components are packed with more components which I can only assume are because of the way it was imported. Maybe because they were in groups in illustrator but I have had a look back at that step and it doesnt seem to be affecting the import. SO... I have attached a screenshot of the outliner to show this.

Second point - the "image" files are named similar with a couple of differences:
IMAGE FILE: "0001 vyonyx_couple_001.jpg"
Component NAME: "0001 vyonyx_couple_001_tif.dwg"

so they relate but there is a leftover "_tif" at the end from previous processes and they have different extentions.

` model=Sketchup.active_model
defs=model.definitions
cnames=[]
defs.each{|d|cnames << d.name}
cnames.sort!

f='P:\02 General\Resource Library\People\JPEG'
cnames.each{|name|
d=defs[name]
bb=Gem::Boundingbox.new
d.entities.each{|e|bb.add(e.bounds)}

add image

img=d.entities.add_image(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".tif"), ORIGIN, bb.width, bb.height)
img.explode
togos=[]
d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup::Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
d.entities.erase_entities(togos)
d.entities.each{|e|e.reverse! if e.is_a?(Sketchup::Face) && e.normal!=Z_AXIS}

now stand it up

tr=Geom::Transformation.rotation(ORIGIN, X_AXIS, -90.degrees)
d.entities.transform_entities(tr, d.entities.to_a)
}

cnames.each{|name| defs[name].save_as(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".skp"))}`

Outliner showing needed exploding

TIG

First:
Ensure the outlines' lines are not grouped or in a block in the CAD files.
Ensure the CAD files are purged before import.
Running Sketchup.active_model.definitions.purge_unused after the import will remove unused 'blocks' [like 'arch_tick'] that can often arrive with CAD files.

Second:
IMAGE FILE: "0001 vyonyx_couple_001.jpg"
Component NAME: "0001 vyonyx_couple_001_tif.dwg"
Why not use a separate tool like 'Lupas Rename' to change the .dwg files before processing them - the find/replace simply then says '_tif.dwg' >> '.dwg' and all of the files are them matching...
Alternatively, if you know the component is called "0001 vyonyx_couple_001_tif.dwg"
when you have its name, and start to process it rename it something like this:
cnames=[] defs.each{|d|d.name=d.name.gsub(/_tif.dwg$/,'.dwg'); cnames << d.name}
Now, "0001 vyonyx_couple_001_tif.dwg" id named "0001 vyonyx_couple_001.dwg", so when you try to find the matching image you just 'swap' the extname... In my example I use .tif, but I see you now have .jpg.
Incidentally .jpg images don't support transparency, BUT .png images can. Then the 'cutout' won't show 'white-fringing' IF the image's background is set to be transparent.
So... why not use .png images if you are converting the original .tif images into another format ?

I assume all of the outline.dwg component's contents is 'edges'...
Incidentally, the algorithm to remove outer edges when the image is exploded onto the outline could fail if there are horizontal/vertical edges in the original outlines...
A workaround would be to scale the image sizes to be slightly more than the outline's bounds, so try...
` bb=Geom::BoundingBox.new
d.entities.each{|e|bb.add(e.bounds)}

add image

img=d.entities.add_image(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".tif"), [-1.mm,-1.mm,0], bb.width+2.mm, bb.height+2.mm)
img.explode
togos=[]
d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup::Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
d.entities.erase_entities(togos)`
This ensures that the image is 1mm all round bigger that the matching outline, so its four edges should now remain intact after the explode, and can be safely removed without affecting the inner forms....

Lersince1991

First:
Ok will give it another try to purge before importing however a few notes:
I used illustrator to create and process the dwgs as I can use actions and keybord shortcuts to simply process them all in minutes. I cannot do this in a cad program but I will try and make sure everything is exploded as much as possible before importing and try again.

second: ok I can use lupas rename for simplicity - I did not know of this. That will speed things up! So now assume the only difference in file names is the extention.

I converted them to jpg from the tiff because i didnt see how they needed the transparency and wanted to compress them a bit. Do they need transparency if the geometry it is applied to is clipping the white off? I can make them .png if needed?

Not sure what this means:
When the .dwgs are imported they dont import the hatches (which are the faces) and I cannot see any way of making sure a vector keeps any sort of "faces" when imported into Sketchup. Therefore the contents of the imported .dwgs (and therefore components) are JUST edges, no faces. I am unsure of what your final peice of ruby script is doing?

Thanks for the help TIG
This is amazing!

TIG

To explain the most recent code snippet... in 'English'.
You have a component containing just lines [aka edges].
These form the outline[s] of the final form you desire.
We get the 'bounding-box' of these - we'll use some of its properties later
We add the equivalent image to the component's entities-collection [just as you might had you edited the component and then manually added an image]
We set the image's insertion point to just off the origin -1mm in x/y and size the image to be 2mm bigger that the outline's bounds width/height.
This way the image is slightly bigger than the outline.
We explode the image.
The geometry of the outline and the image merge.
The image's face is now split up by the outline's edges.
These faces automatically use the image as a new textured material of the same name.
We then look through the component's geometry an collect all edges that don't have two faces - that is the 'perimeter' edges of the original image rectangle.
We erase those.
The related edges also disappear.
The remaining edges are now the outline.
It doesn't erase faces inside 'holes' - e.g. donut forms...
You can either do these manually by editing the component SKP later, or add an extra algorithm to find edges with two faces [potential holes] and then look at those faces and erase only the face where the edge is part of the face's outer_loop - if it forms an inner_loop of the face then it's the 'donut' face NOT the 'hole'.

The later parts of the earlier code stand - this rotates the geometry so it's then "standing up"...

Lersince1991

Wow!
Excellent!
Sounds perfect!

Would it be ok to consolodate this script so I can use it? And explain if I need to edit anything please? (Your an absolute genius!)

Could you include the last part you mentioned about erasing inner faces? interesting to see how well it would work. Sounds like it would work perfectly on the people but may have issues on trees where the face of the leaves dont attach to the body of the tree - but this is something we could look at later or ignore and just use transparent png files so it wouldnt matter too much if the faces were there. (obviously the shadows wouldn't be as accurate but not crucial when it gets so complex with leaves!)

p.s. once this library is complete I might as well upload it to the Google Warehouse for others to benefit! - the idea is to speed up the process of getting good images by minimizing the use of post-editing in photoshop

TIG

togos=[] d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup::Edge) and e.faces.length<2} d.entities.erase_entities(togos)
This removes the four outer perimeter edges.
Now for the holes...

faces=[]
d.entities.each{|e|faces << e if e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face)}
(faces.length-1).times{
   for face in faces
    if face.valid?
      for edgeuse in face.outer_loop.edgeuses
         if not edgeuse.partners[0] ### outermost face
            faces = faces - [face]
            loops = face.loops
            for loop in loops
               for fac in faces
                  if fac.valid? and (fac.outer_loop.edges - loop.edges) == []
                     faces = faces - [fac]
                     fac.erase! if fac.valid?
                     ### fac abutts kept face so it must be erased...
                  end #if fac
               end #for fac
            end #for loop
         end #if outermost
      end #for edgeuse
    end #if valid
   end #for face
}#times

This looks complicated, BUT it ensures you end up with all faces that ought to be faces, it will get confused if you have made two overlapping rectangles the overlap is regarded as a hole even if you expected it to be solid...

Lersince1991

haha absolutely genius!

Would you be able to just consolodate this code into one script then so I could copy and paste it into the ruby console? Pretty please

TIG

Sorry... you try.
I do have real [paid] work to do too...
It's not that hard to take the bits and get a single working tool...
It'll be good experience

Lersince1991

Done
I think?

` ### PURGE UNUSED COMPONENTS
Sketchup.active_model.definitions.purge_unused

SETUP LIST OF NAMES

model=Sketchup.active_model
defs=model.definitions
cnames=[]
defs.each{|d|cnames << d.name}
cnames.sort!

f='P:\02 General\Resource Library\People\JPEG'
cnames.each{|name|
d=defs[name]
bb=Gem::Boundingbox.new
d.entities.each{|e|bb.add(e.bounds)}

ADD IMAGE TEXTURES

img=d.entities.add_image(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".jpg"), [-1.mm,-1.mm,0], bb.width+2.mm, bb.height+2.mm)
img.explode
togos=[]
d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup::Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
d.entities.erase_entities(togos)
d.entities.each{|e|e.reverse! if e.is_a?(Sketchup::Face) && e.normal!=Z_AXIS}

STAND COMPONENT CONTENTS TO VERTICAL

tr=Geom::Transformation.rotation(ORIGIN, X_AXIS, -90.degrees)
d.entities.transform_entities(tr, d.entities.to_a)
}

FACE ME

cnames.each{|name|
defs[name].save_as(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".skp"))
}

REMOVE OUTER EDGE LEFT FROM EXPLODED IMAGE

img.explode
togos=[]
d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup::Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
d.entities.erase_entities(togos)

REMOVE HOLES

faces=[]
d.entities.each{|e|faces << e if e.is_a?(Sketchup::Face)}
(faces.length-1).times{
for face in faces
if face.valid?
for edgeuse in face.outer_loop.edgeuses
if not edgeuse.partners[0] ### outermost face
faces = faces - [face]
loops = face.loops
for loop in loops
for fac in faces
if fac.valid? and (fac.outer_loop.edges - loop.edges) == []
faces = faces - [fac]
fac.erase! if fac.valid?
### fac abutts kept face so it must be erased...
end #if fac
end #for fac
end #for loop
end #if outermost
end #for edgeuse
end #if valid
end #for face
}#times`

TIG

Needs testing - but looks reasonably convincing...
Indent the various parts of the code to make it 'readable'...
[Get Notepad++ - recommended for code editing etc]
Put your code inside a module thus:

module LukeR
  def self.importer()
    ### add your code here
  end
end

Usage: in the Ruby Console type LukeR.importer + <enter>

Change its name[s] as desired...

Later you can add your own new methods too like LukeR.discombobulator

TIG

Last couple of points.
Using jpeg images as textures allows the faces to display received shadows [provided the containing object is set to do so too].
Using png images means they don't take shadows at all - the advantage is that they can have a transparent background so small 'holes' will be 'see-through' even if the face has no corresponding small hole.

The other issue is hiding the edges of the faces within the component.
This easily done by adding a block of code near the end of each definition's processing...
d.entities.each{|e|e.hidden=true if e.is_a?(Sketchup::Edge)}
Only the component's faces are visible.
If View > Hidden Geometry is set ON the edges display as 'dotted' lines

Lersince1991

Managed to use a batch action in illustrator to successfully ungroup/explode all the components so that issue is solved.

Just tried saving the file as a .rb in the plugins folder and got and error. I am really not sure what I sould really do? Does the file name matter?


module LukeR
  def self.importer()

### PURGE UNUSED COMPONENTS
Sketchup.active_model.definitions.purge_unused

### SETUP LIST OF NAMES
model=Sketchup.active_model
defs=model.definitions
cnames=[]
defs.each{|d|cnames << d.name}
cnames.sort!

f='P;\02 General\Resource Library\People\JPEG'
cnames.each{|name|
	d=defs[name]
	bb=Gem;;Boundingbox.new
	d.entities.each{|e|bb.add(e.bounds)}
	### ADD IMAGE TEXTURES
	img=d.entities.add_image(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".jpg"), [-1.mm,-1.mm,0], bb.width+2.mm, bb.height+2.mm)
	img.explode
	togos=[]
	d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
	d.entities.erase_entities(togos)
	d.entities.each{|e|e.reverse! if e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face) && e.normal!=Z_AXIS}
	### STAND COMPONENT CONTENTS TO VERTICAL
	tr=Geom;;Transformation.rotation(ORIGIN, X_AXIS, -90.degrees)
	d.entities.transform_entities(tr, d.entities.to_a)
	}

### FACE ME
cnames.each{|name|
	defs[name].save_as(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".skp"))
	}

### REMOVE OUTER EDGE LEFT FROM EXPLODED IMAGE
img.explode
	togos=[]
	d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
	d.entities.erase_entities(togos)

### REMOVE HOLES
faces=[]
d.entities.each{|e|faces << e if e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face)}
(faces.length-1).times{
   for face in faces
    if face.valid?
      for edgeuse in face.outer_loop.edgeuses
         if not edgeuse.partners[0] ### outermost face
            faces = faces - [face]
            loops = face.loops
            for loop in loops
               for fac in faces
                  if fac.valid? and (fac.outer_loop.edges - loop.edges) == []
                     faces = faces - [fac]
                     fac.erase! if fac.valid?
                     ### fac abutts kept face so it must be erased...
                  end #if fac
               end #for fac
            end #for loop
         end #if outermost
      end #for edgeuse
    end #if valid
   end #for face
}#times

end
end

ERROR


LukeR.importer
Error; #<NameError; C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;17;in `importer'; uninitialized constant LukeR;;Gem>
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;17
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;15;in `each'
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;15;in `importer'
(eval);0

Nearly there now!
Thanks again TIG

TIG

Typo
bb=Gem::Boundingbox.new
should be
bb=Geom::Boundingbox.new

The error messages show what's wrong 'Gem' and the line number - here '17'...

Lersince1991

Ahh thank you. Will try again.
I looked there and thought it was the double "::" that was the issue

Lersince1991

I got the same error:


LukeR.importer
Error; #<NoMethodError; undefined method `new' for ;Boundingbox;Symbol>
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;17
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;15;in `each'
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;15;in `importer'
(eval);17


module LukeR
  def self.importer()

### PURGE UNUSED COMPONENTS
Sketchup.active_model.definitions.purge_unused

### SETUP LIST OF NAMES
model=Sketchup.active_model
defs=model.definitions
cnames=[]
defs.each{|d|cnames << d.name}
cnames.sort!

f='P;\02 General\Resource Library\People\JPEG'
cnames.each{|name|
 d=defs[name]
 bb=Geom;;Boundingbox.new
 d.entities.each{|e|bb.add(e.bounds)}

 ### ADD IMAGE TEXTURES
 img=d.entities.add_image(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".jpg"), [-1.mm,-1.mm,0], bb.width+2.mm, bb.height+2.mm)
 img.explode
 togos=[]
 d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
 d.entities.erase_entities(togos)
 d.entities.each{|e|e.reverse! if e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face) && e.normal!=Z_AXIS}

 ### STAND COMPONENT CONTENTS TO VERTICAL
 tr=Geom;;Transformation.rotation(ORIGIN, X_AXIS, -90.degrees)
 d.entities.transform_entities(tr, d.entities.to_a)
 }

### FACE ME
cnames.each{|name|
	defs[name].save_as(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".skp"))
	}

### REMOVE OUTER EDGE LEFT FROM EXPLODED IMAGE
img.explode
	togos=[]
	d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
	d.entities.erase_entities(togos)

### REMOVE HOLES
faces=[]
d.entities.each{|e|faces << e if e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face)}
(faces.length-1).times{
   for face in faces
    if face.valid?
      for edgeuse in face.outer_loop.edgeuses
         if not edgeuse.partners[0] ### outermost face
            faces = faces - [face]
            loops = face.loops
            for loop in loops
               for fac in faces
                  if fac.valid? and (fac.outer_loop.edges - loop.edges) == []
                     faces = faces - [fac]
                     fac.erase! if fac.valid?
                     ### fac abutts kept face so it must be erased...
                  end #if fac
               end #for fac
            end #for loop
         end #if outermost
      end #for edgeuse
    end #if valid
   end #for face
}#times

end
end

TIG

If you read it although it's the same line of code it is ANOTHER error!
Another daft typo!
It should actually be Bounding**B**ox
NOT
Boundingbox
So the line should be
bb=Geom::BoundingBox.new

I didn't spot that either...

Incidentally the double :: is used to show the Module::Class
A . shows the method [def] thus:
Module::Class.method()
You can also have a Module.method()
Sketchup and its related modules, like Geom, have both classes/methods and methods...

The 'o' was simply missed out of the 'Geom' module's name, causing the error...
When testing a script the line references in errors are very useful [Notepad++ will display line numbers under one of it's Settings...]
A , instead of a . [or vice versa], a missing ( or } etc, a simple spelling error etc, can mess everything up big time... But if you know the line you can usually find the error easily...

Lersince1991

Ah ok Thankyou, I didn't realise it was case sensitive on commands! Will try again

Lersince1991

Can't work this one out:


LukeR.importer
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;21; warning; Could not create Image for P;/02 General/Resource Library/People/JPEG/JPEG.jpg

Error; #<NoMethodError; undefined method `explode' for nil;NilClass>
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;22
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;15;in `each'
C;/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/component_import.rb;15;in `importer'
(eval);0


module LukeR
  def self.importer()

### PURGE UNUSED COMPONENTS
Sketchup.active_model.definitions.purge_unused

### SETUP LIST OF NAMES
model=Sketchup.active_model
defs=model.definitions
cnames=[]
defs.each{|d|cnames << d.name}
cnames.sort!

f='P;\02 General\Resource Library\People\JPEG'
cnames.each{|name|
 d=defs[name]
 bb=Geom;;BoundingBox.new
 d.entities.each{|e|bb.add(e.bounds)}

 ### ADD IMAGE TEXTURES
 img=d.entities.add_image(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".jpg"), [-1.mm,-1.mm,0], bb.width+2.mm, bb.height+2.mm)
 img.explode
 togos=[]
 d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
 d.entities.erase_entities(togos)
 d.entities.each{|e|e.reverse! if e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face) && e.normal!=Z_AXIS}

 ### STAND COMPONENT CONTENTS TO VERTICAL
 tr=Geom;;Transformation.rotation(ORIGIN, X_AXIS, -90.degrees)
 d.entities.transform_entities(tr, d.entities.to_a)
 }

### FACE ME
cnames.each{|name|
	defs[name].save_as(File.join(f, File.basename(f, ".*")+".skp"))
	}

### REMOVE OUTER EDGE LEFT FROM EXPLODED IMAGE
img.explode
	togos=[]
	d.entities.each{|e|togos << e if e.valid? and e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Edge) and e.faces.length<2}
	d.entities.erase_entities(togos)

### REMOVE HOLES
faces=[]
d.entities.each{|e|faces << e if e.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face)}
(faces.length-1).times{
   for face in faces
    if face.valid?
      for edgeuse in face.outer_loop.edgeuses
         if not edgeuse.partners[0] ### outermost face
            faces = faces - [face]
            loops = face.loops
            for loop in loops
               for fac in faces
                  if fac.valid? and (fac.outer_loop.edges - loop.edges) == []
                     faces = faces - [fac]
                     fac.erase! if fac.valid?
                     ### fac abutts kept face so it must be erased...
                  end #if fac
               end #for fac
            end #for loop
         end #if outermost
      end #for edgeuse
    end #if valid
   end #for face
}#times

end
end

TIG

It's because it's another typo !
Line#21 should read
img=d.entities.add_image(File.join(f, File.basename(**name**, ".*")+".jpg"), [-1.mm,-1.mm,0], bb.width+2.mm, bb.height+2.mm)
sorry...