[Plugin] Add Layer [1.1.0]

[Jim]

For discussion of Add Layer plugin.

v 1.1.0 Apr 10, 2014

• Added ability to modify layers.

v 1.0.1 Mar 24, 2014

• Bug fix release.

[utiler]

@jim said:

For discussion of Add Layer plugin.

Instant gold, Jim! I don't know how many time I've been working on a complex model with multiple scenes and when I add a new layer for the scene I'm working on then have to go back through each and every scene to turn it off... this'll be a big time saver!!

Am I right in saying its been a while since you've publishes a script???

[otb designworks]

Awesome! Any way to change the layer behavior after it has been created?

For instance, if I make a layer and choose for it to be hidden for new scenes, but then I change my mind and want it visible for new scenes, is that possible to change?

thanks!

[jiminy-billy-bob]

Maybe add an option to choose the color in SU2014?

[db11]

@otb designworks said:

Awesome! Any way to change the layer behavior after it has been created?

For instance, if I make a layer and choose for it to be hidden for new scenes, but then I change my mind and want it visible for new scenes, is that possible to change?

thanks!

Not sure from within this plugin, but the VisMap plugin is invaluable for managing scene/layer visibility:

[Plugin] VisMap 2 - Improved Layer/Scene Visibility Map by MartinRinehart
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23029

It populates a layer/scene matrix and allows you to see in one glance which layers are set to visible in what scenes -- and allows you to toggle visibility across all scenes / layers. Not sure if it's 2014 compatible as it was last updated in 2009.

I'm using it in SU8 and it works perfectly.

[JQL]

Uhh... So many layers of information between you two J's...

Jiminy, I know it seems I'm stalking you but what if your "new layer" icon would be able to launch this plugin if we choose it to on preferences?

Actually both plugins look good together too...

Would you guys mind?

[TECHDAVE02]

There add scenes layer that works / on only that scene or you can update it to work in other scenes works well for dimensions http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10%26amp;t=36583

http://sketchuptips.blogspot.ca/2007/08/add-hidden-layer.html

[jiminy-billy-bob]

@jql said:

Uhh... So many layers of information between you two J's...

Jiminy, I know it seems I'm stalking you but what if your "new layer" icon would be able to launch this plugin if we choose it to on preferences?

Actually both plugins look good together too...

Would you guys mind?

Haha, you're reading my mind. I was thinking about something like this today: Maybe replace the buttons in the menu that pops up when you hold-down click on the add-layer button in Layers Panel, by one that opens Jim's plugin if it's installed.

Jim, would you be okay with this?

[Jim]

@utiler said:

@jim said:

For discussion of Add Layer plugin.

Instant gold, Jim! I don't know how many time I've been working on a complex model with multiple scenes and when I add a new layer for the scene I'm working on then have to go back through each and every scene to turn it off... this'll be a big time saver!!

Am I right in saying its been a while since you've publishes a script???

Thanks, utiler. This extension is really an upgrade to my old "add hidden layer" plugin from back in 2007. But instead of me deciding what layer behavior you need, you get to choose.

Much of the credit goes to Thomthom for his SketchUp UI code. The code for adding the layer is about 25 lines of code. The other 2500 lines are for the user interface. In the past, UI for extensions was a real barrier to their creations. Recently, this barrier has been falling.

It has been a number of years since I have released a plugin, although I have been hacking on a few of the SketchUp Community Extensions on GitHub.

And with the SketchUcation Plugin Store making so much easier for people to upgrade, I hope to continue upgrading some of my old plugins.

[Jim]

@jiminy-billy-bob said:

Haha, you're reading my mind. I was thinking about something like this today: Maybe replace the buttons in the menu that pops up when you hold-down click on the add-layer button in Layers Panel, by one that opens Jim's plugin if it's installed.

Jim, would you be okay with this?

I don't mind, but I really think you should implement this in Layers Panel natively, rather than call my plugin. You should try to keep your interface consistent. Then, maybe add a separate LP sub-menu-item for "add a new layer" for people who who want to add a Layer without opening the main LP dialog.

I have Layers Panel installed, and know for a fact you would do a better job with the user interface than I can. Besides, you likely have most of the functions already in your code.

[jiminy-billy-bob]

Something like this, then? (With credit to you, obviously!)

[tt_su]

Note that in SU older than 2014 creating layers with the special flag might cause SU to trigger the Fix Model dialog. That warning is a bug - nothing was messed up, it was the validation code that was wrong. And the Fix Model dialog will reset the flag unfortunately.

[Nortti]

Thank you for the 'Add Layer' plugin! This is a huge time saver. Although, when I select "Layer visible on selected scene only" it does not create a layer. Am I missing something? Still even without this feature it's a success.

Thanks for any help in getting this fully working.

Mac OSX 10.9.2 / SketchUp Pro 2013

[Jim]

@nortti said:

Thank you for the 'Add Layer' plugin! This is a huge time saver. Although, when I select "Layer visible on selected scene only" it does not create a layer. Am I missing something? Still even without this feature it's a success.

Thanks for any help in getting this fully working.

Mac OSX 10.9.2 / SketchUp Pro 2013

You should get a dialog if you select this option an there are no Scenes in the model. If there are Scenes in the model, then please try to select this option while the Ruby Console window is open. Are there any errors shown?

[jiminy-billy-bob]

@tt_su said:

Note that in SU older than 2014 creating layers with the special flag might cause SU to trigger the Fix Model dialog. That warning is a bug - nothing was messed up, it was the validation code that was wrong. And the Fix Model dialog will reset the flag unfortunately.

The only flag causing an issue is "LAYER_HIDDEN_BY_DEFAULT", isn't it?

[JQL]

@tt_su said:

Note that in SU older than 2014 creating layers with the special flag might cause SU to trigger the Fix Model dialog. That warning is a bug - nothing was messed up, it was the validation code that was wrong. And the Fix Model dialog will reset the flag unfortunately.

Ahhh! So that's why my models needed fixing everytime!...

[Jim]

@otb designworks said:

Awesome! Any way to change the layer behavior after it has been created?

For instance, if I make a layer and choose for it to be hidden for new scenes, but then I change my mind and want it visible for new scenes, is that possible to change?

thanks!

I could implement editing by using a Listbox instead of a Textbox...

But then I'd need a dialog for the new layer name...

Or perhaps not even have the add new layer option - just have the plugin be a layer behavior editor.

[Jim]

@techdave02 said:

There add scenes layer that works / on only that scene or you can update it to work in other scenes works well for dimensions http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10%26amp;t=36583

http://sketchuptips.blogspot.ca/2007/08/add-hidden-layer.html

The option to make the layer "visible on the selected scene only" should work, no?

That's my blog you linked to - and this plugin is an update to the one you linked to.

[ktkoh]

I downloaded this plugin from the SU Store for the purpose of learning the SKUI interface.
However while testing I was not able to get the check box "Layer visible on selected Scene only" to create a new layer.

Error; #<NameError; undefined local variable or method `txt_LayerName' for JF;;AddLayer;Module>
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/main.rb;155;in `add_layer'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/main.rb;110;in `block in main'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/events.rb;82;in `call'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/events.rb;82;in `block in trigger_event'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/events.rb;78;in `each'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/events.rb;78;in `trigger_event'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/window.rb;357;in `event_control_callback'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/window.rb;311;in `callback_handler'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/window.rb;269;in `block in add_callback'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/window.rb;203;in `call'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/window.rb;203;in `show_modal'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/SKUI/window.rb;203;in `show'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/main.rb;145;in `main'
C;/Users/Keith/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/jf_add_layer/main.rb;185;in `block in <module;AddLayer>'
-e;1;in `call'

The other options worked as expected. Note: this also failed in 2013 with a slightly different error message.

Keith

[Jim]

Keith - I am looking into this, but can not reproduce it in any version from 2008 thru 2014.