[REQ] Component origin to bottom center (as default)

rv1974 · 28 Sept 2016, 08:50

Currently SU puts the origins of newly created components to the bottom-left corner.
Is it possible to permanently change (via script) this 'system variable'?

Rich O Brien · 28 Sept 2016, 08:56

You want to default SketchUp to center-bottom axis location?

That's a good suggestion. I constantly use Thomthom's axes tool to place the axis center-bottom.

rv1974 · 28 Sept 2016, 11:06

yes
me do the same, but it's just stupid non-stop automatic manipulation.

TIG · 28 Sept 2016, 12:42

When you create a component the dialog offers you the option to place the insertion-point's axes.
So you can have them anywhere you like.
You can of course use the context menu tool to change the axes of any selected component instance too - without compromising the location of changed sibling instances.
However, there's no simple API to re-default this.

You could write a convoluted extension which runs in the background with an 'observer', and whenever a new definition is added to the model's definitions AND if its axes are bottom left, it then transforms the objects within the definition/entities, moving them so the component's origin is then centered on the front - also if transformed the instance then needs an inverse transformation to leave it back where it was originally...
However, this would be annoying on the occasions you do NOT want that axis location and you'd need to change it.
I wouldn't recommend it...

Rich O Brien · 28 Sept 2016, 12:44

How about a simple 'Assign to Center-Bottom' context menu option.

Rich O Brien · 28 Sept 2016, 14:00

I was thinking of Right-Click > Make Component with Axis that works on raw geometry and groups/components.

rv1974 · 28 Sept 2016, 14:00

I've got a faster way for a component creation:
'G' shortcut to create a group (from pre-selected) and immediately Shift+G (someone's neat .rb) to turn it to a component. Then Cnrl+Shift+G to put the origin to the bottom-center (TT's script).
Not a big deal but when you do dozens times a day it kinda saddens

rv1974 · 28 Sept 2016, 14:04

@rich o brien said:

I was thinking of Right-Click > Make Component with Axis that works on raw geometry and groups/components.

Good , but it should (if needed) also turn groups to components. Even populated groups..
And be a silent spartan script- no confirmation windows.
There's some nuance with a vertical glued component though, which should be treated right.