Distributing models with sketchup and plugins installed

zobo3360

I have an interesting application of sketchup: We are using it as a visual wiki page where different stakeholders can open the model and explore like a library. Different layers have different information, and I used Links Manager to link to files and websites. Here are my questions:

Is there a way to compile the model, sketchup, and the necessary plugins on a DVD for distribution?
Is links manger the best plugin for hyperlinking to different file types and websites in the model?

I want the DVD to be used to install sketchup with all the necessary plugins to access the model completely. I have not coded in Ruby before. Is it possible?

Thanks!~

thomthom

If it's so usage other than for your self - where you distribute to others you need to get permission from the plugin authors. I'm not sure that SketchUp's license is in that concern though.

But if all of that is ok then you could place the SU installation on the disk, and the plugins needed in a folder. And then you could add a shortcut on the disc that would start SketchUp with a command argument that would load plugins from the disc. There is an argument that will make it load an RB from the location you specify. If you make that plugin load the rest you should be good to go.
http://www.thomthom.net/thoughts/2013/04/sketchup-command-arguments/

zobo3360

Thank you for the reply. I can't wait to put it all together!

Hattie

zobo3360

I added the first plugin. Can I just add on the plugin paths for each seperate plugin? Is there a better way?

renderiza

@zobo3360 said:

Is links manger the best plugin for hyperlinking to different file types and websites in the model?

Hi,

You might want to take a look at a plugin I made called Gosu...http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=51919

You can set the component is name to be used as URL so that when you use the plugin it will redirect you to that page next time you click it. Since the info is stored in component is name space that means SketchUp model can be closed and the url will still be working if you open it again.

Apart from that Gosu can open videos,pictures and other stuff so please watch intro video to get an idea of what you can do.

Since Gosu was made by me I can grant you permission for any particular use so no problems there.

Cheers!

zobo3360

When I went to distribute the model with shortcut to open the plugin I needed to use, the plugin did not work! I think that I know what the error is:

The plugin needs to be unzipped into the C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleSketchup8\Plugins folder. The ruby script that I am calling in the shortcut defines the icon for the plugin, but does not run the functional part of the plugin with the .rbs file type. This functional part is in the Plugin folder, in a subfolder! I tried to modify the .rs file to call the correct file path to where I am storing the plugin on a disc drive, but I believe the correction needs to be made to the encrypted file. What to do? Here is a breakdown of my attempts:
Shortcut properties

Here is the file structure of what I call the functional part of this plugin.
plugin subfolder functional ruby script

I really like your plugin, but I don't want the users to have any options between the buttons... I need a little simpler interface for the user after I set the files. Your plugin was exactly what I need as the designer, but then I need a little plugin that can just open the file location or weblink without editing power. The LinksManager plugin almost does that...the user has to Ctrl+click on the component to follow the link.

TIG

On a PC the application SketchUp.exe looks to where it is installed [even if run from a shortcut] and the Plugins folder is always taken to be there too...

Your plugin .rb can know where it is, by using File.dirname(__FILE__)
So from that you can know where the adjacent .rbz file is too...
However, using Sketchup.install_from_archive() will always use the default Plugins folder...

If that is NOT what's needed then you need to invent some way of extracting the files to elsewhere [investigate Windows 'unzip' cmd functions]...
OR more simply pre-extract the contents manually to where you want it to be anyway...

I'm afraid I don't fully understand you issue otherwise...

zobo3360

I agree!

I am using the LinksManager Plugin by Dieder...His instructions on using the plugin require that you unzip the file into the Plugins folder. It will not work to copy and paste the folder into the Plugins folder. ThomThom recommended that I try to open the plugin from a sketchup shortcut using an argument. It creates the icon. But because the encrypted part of the plugin does all the functional work, I can not modify it to look to another drive for the files. (The error I get when I run the .rb part of the plugin in the ruby console is that the .rbs is undefined). I am thinking it will be best to try and create one .zip package that contains everything I need to distribute, and puts it into the Plugins folder so that I don't have to remap the location of the .rbs file.

My group of users is small~10, they have no experience with sketchup, and they may or may not have access to the internet...I know--the dark ages. I need to make the process of accessing the collaborative model as easy, painless, and complete as possible. The group requested that I distribute hard copies of all needed peices--software, plugins, model, files, on a DVD drive. The next best option is an external hard drive.

I have to get this to work, so invent I will! (Unless someone comes up with a slick way to solve this )

Thanks for your help!