Automatically load a component.

[TIG]

I don't see your entire code.
E.G. loader .rb and main code .rb etc...
Also you have ignored my advice about NOT running certain lines of text.

As a principle I'd use the loader to run some code in this format

module TNT
  module SomeSubModule
    def self.do_somethings()
      ### the lines of code to run
    end
    self.do_somethings() ### this runs the code as it loads ### to use a menu is different...
  end
end

You do NOT need to make your 'module' a 'class' unless you are going to call it somehow in other code, or if it is to be used as a 'Tool' - which means there is user interaction - like picking points etc...

[Dan Rathbun]

@tntdavid said:

Error Loading File C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb Error: #<TypeError: no implicit conversion of nil into String> C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:6:inload'`

Where are my errors, which seem obvious to you?

The error message tells you where the error is:
"C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:6:inload'`"

The error is in file: "logic.rb", at line 6, in the load() method call.

The error is: "TypeError: no implicit conversion of nil into String",...

... which means your code is expecting a String object, but the object is a reference to nil instead.

[TNTDAVID]

@tig said:

I don't see your entire code.

The code is complet.

I just want to create a fichier.rb, which imports a component in each new scene, as "Steve" in "SKP 2015" or "Lisanne" in 2016.

@tig said:

E.G. loader .rb and main code .rb etc...
Also you have ignored my advice about NOT running certain lines of text.

I have great difficulty understanding your instructions!

This is not an unwillingness by my.

It takes another file "loader .rb"?

You mean the file is in the "Plugins" folder, with copyright, the name of the developer?

@tig said:

module TNT
  module SomeSubModule
    def self.do_somethings()
      ### the lines of code to run
    end
    self.do_somethings() ### this runs the code as it loads ### to use a menu is different...
  end
end

Thank you for your example.

Beginner question:

def Toto2016

Code ####

end

The interest of "def" is to give a personalized name to the code that follows?

We can subsequently call with an icon or an item or other?

---

Hello Dan Rathbun, Thanks for your participation.

In future I will be able to spot my mistakes and try to correct them.

How to Write a "String Object"?

Or should it be written and how to use?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

David

[TNTDAVID]

@dan rathbun said:

The error is: "TypeError: no implicit conversion of nil into String",...

... which means your code is expecting a String object, but the object is a reference to nil instead.

Understand and resolve this error message is very important to me.

The only thing I find about "String Object" is on this page:

http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/developer/docs/ourdoc/string

It does not allow me to solve my problem.

With the following code:

module TNTDAVID
  module ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm
    def self.auto_run_code()
      path = Sketchup.find_support_file("cube.skp", "Components")
      model = Sketchup.active_model
      definitions = model.definitions
      component_definition = definitions.load(path)
      point = Geom;;Point3d.new(10, 20, 30)
      transformation = Geom;;Transformation.new(point)
      instance = entities.add_instance(component_definition, transformation)
    end
    self.auto_run_code()
  end
end

I get the same error message in the "Consol Ruby".

When I launch SketchUp, I have this message:

@unknownuser said:

Error Loading File C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb
Error: #<TypeError: no implicit conversion of nil into String>
C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:7:in load' C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:7:in auto_run_code'
C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:12:in <module:TNTDAVID>' C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:2:in module:ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm'
C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:1:in <top (required)>' C:/Program Files/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/Tools/extensions.rb:197:in require'
C:/Program Files/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/Tools/extensions.rb:197:in load' C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm.rb:28:in register_extension'
C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm.rb:28:in <module:ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm>' C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm.rb:18:in <top (required)>'

Your help is essential to me to find a solution.

Thank you
David

[kaas]

If I run your code I get the same error.

The component_definition = definitions.load(path) is expecting a path to that cube.skp (a string), instead it gets NIL because there is no cube.skp in SketchUp defaults components folder.

So; if you put a cube.skp in that folder this will work.

Edit: maybe have a look at some ruby training videos? (Lynda.com for instance has some). It might help in understanding the principles of Ruby coding. Could be helpful if you intend to sell (and support) your plugins.

[TIG]

path = Sketchup.find_support_file("cube.skp", "Components")
either returns nil [no match]
or if it matches, something like
"C:\\Program Files\\SketchUp\\SketchUp 2015\\Components\\cube.skp"
To check if it works use:
puts "path = #{path}"
and
puts "path exist? #{File.exist?(path)}"
as it runs, or in the code itself, to abort early...
(UI.messagebox("Path does not exist\n#{File.exist?(path)}"); return nil) unless path && File.exist?(path)

I expect in the 'real' code you are setting the path to a skp in a components-subfodler within the extension's own subfolder - found using __FILE__ to get the rb's folder path etc...

[TNTDAVID]

I added "cube.skp" in "Components Sampler" folder, there is always the same error message.

module TNTDAVID
  module ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm
    def self.auto_run_code()
      path = Sketchup.find_support_file("cube.skp", "Components/Components Sampler")
      model = Sketchup.active_model
      definitions = model.definitions
      component_definition = definitions.load(path)
      point = Geom;;Point3d.new(10, 20, 30)
      transformation = Geom;;Transformation.new(point)
      instance = entities.add_instance(component_definition, transformation)
    end
    self.auto_run_code()
  end
end

@unknownuser said:

Error Loading File C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb
Error: #<NameError: undefined local variable or method entities' for TNTDAVID::ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm:Module> C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:10:in auto_run_code'
C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:12:in <module:ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm>' C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:2:in module:TNTDAVID'
C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm/logic.rb:1:in <top (required)>' C:/Program Files/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/Tools/extensions.rb:197:in require'
C:/Program Files/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/Tools/extensions.rb:197:in load' C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm.rb:28:in register_extension'
C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm.rb:28:in <module:ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm>' C:/Users/DAVID/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2015/SketchUp/Plugins/TNT_ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm.rb:18:in <top (required)>'

Why, there's always this error message?

---

@tig said:

I expect in the 'real' code you are setting the path to a skp in a components-subfodler within the extension's own subfolder - found using FILE to get the rb's folder path etc...

I can use the File method to import a component from an icon.

module ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm

  class << self

    path_to_components = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'Components')
    @@path_to_00 = File.join(path_to_components,'00-Control-Panel-Trial-mm.skp')

    def add_00
      Sketchup.active_model.import(@@path_to_00)
    end
    
if !file_loaded?(__FILE__)


        tb = UI;;Toolbar.new(%Q(Click-Window3D-Trial-mm))

        command1 = UI;;Command.new("add Resources"){ ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm.add_00 }

        command1.small_icon = File.join(@@path_to_resources,"add_00.png")

        command1.large_icon = File.join(@@path_to_resources,"add_00.png")

        tb.add_item(command1)

        tb.restore

        file_loaded(__FILE__)

       end

   end

How to change the code so that "cube.skp" is automatically imported on each SketchUp scene?

Thank you

[Dan Rathbun]

@tntdavid said:

The only thing I find about "String Object" is on this page:
http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/developer/docs/ourdoc/string

David, The SketchUp Ruby API is an extension to standard Core Ruby, and
adds a few methods to the Ruby's core String class:
http://ruby-doc.org/core-2.0.0/String.html

You need to learn standard Ruby before you can really appreciate what SketchUp's API adds to Ruby.

Here is a set of lists that will help (at the official SketchUp forum):
[url=http://forums.sketchup.com/t/ruby-learning-resources-wikilists/22861:2epja1nk]Ruby Learning Resources [WikiLists][/url:2epja1nk]
(There is similar, but perhaps older list, here ar SCF as well.)

[Dan Rathbun]

@tntdavid said:

I added "cube.skp" in "Components Sampler" folder, there is always the same error message.

Why, there's always this error message?

David, code files need to be encoded as UTF-8 without BOM (BOM = Bit Order Mark.)

The first line of all SketchUp code files should also always be the "magic comment":
# encoding: UTF-8

See: Ruby Core docs: Encoding - Script encoding

[TNTDAVID]

Hello, kaas

My "cube.skp" is in the "Components" folder in my plugin.

It should be placed in another folder?

You can download HERE the full fichier.rbz.

Thank you for your help.

cordially

David

Ps: Thank you for your links.

---

Edit: Small error in "TesteCube.rb" corrected.

[TNTDAVID]

@dan rathbun said:

David, code files need to be encoded as UTF-8 without BOM (BOM = Bit Order Mark.)

The first line of all SketchUp code files should also always be the "magic comment":

encoding: UTF-8

Another thing I just learned.

Have you sample code # encoding: UTF-8?

I supose that my error is because of that ?

Thanks

[TIG]

It's a good idea to include that as the first line of all of your RB files.
But, it's not essential - if you use Notepad++ exe you can set up its preferences so that all new files you create are set to be properly encoded UTF-8 [without BOM] - which is required by the newer versions of Ruby.
Unfortunately the Windows bare-bones Notepad exe uses an inappropriate text encoding system - ANSI I think ?
And if you have an existing RB file that is encoded 'wrongly' [e.g. ANSI] you can use Notepad++ to change its encoding to UTF-8, then save it - and it should then be permanently set to that proper encoding...

Get Notepad++ exe v7 from here - it's free and has helpful Ruby syntax tools built in...
https://notepad-plus-plus.org/download/v7.html
There are 32 and 64 bit versions - I use the 64...

[TNTDAVID]

Thank you for the download link TIG.

I encoded my "rb" in "UTF-8", without BOM!

It is not the cause of the error message.

You can download HERE, the new "RBZ".

Thank you in advance for your help.

[kaas]

The error points you into the right direction: Error: #<NameError: undefined local variable or methodentities' for TNTDAVID::ClickWindow3D_Trial_mm:Module>`

My guess is, the error refers to:
instance = **entities**.add_instance(component_definition, transformation)

If you change that line to:
instance = model.entities.add_instance(component_definition, transformation)

you might have more luck.

[TIG]

@Kaas is correct.
Try...
entities = model.active_entities instance = entities.add_instance(component_definition, transformation)

There have been so many iterations of your code fragments across two threads it becomes hard to keep track !

[TNTDAVID]

It works

Many Thanks, TIG, kaas and Dan Rathbun.

Anyone can download HERE, the "RBZ".

Here is the magic code:

module TesteCube
  module CubeImport
    def self.auto_run_code()
      path = Sketchup.find_support_file("cube.skp", 
      "Plugins/TesteCube/Components/")
      model = Sketchup.active_model
      definitions = model.definitions
      component_definition = definitions.load(path)
      point = Geom;;Point3d.new(10, 20, 30)
      transformation = Geom;;Transformation.new(point)
      instance = model.entities.add_instance(component_definition, transformation)
    end
    self.auto_run_code()
  end
end 

We just reach the first goal!

There remain two to accomplish:

  **1.How to run the code on each new scenes?**

Currently only the launch SketchUp, triggers the code that import the "cube.skp".

  **2. How to lock or hide the cube, to avoid copying or unintended deletions?**

More the cube is protected, more "Dynamic Components" related also.

Thank you for your Help.

Cordially

David

[TNTDAVID]

To lock my "[b]cube.stp", you just add this line:[/b]

status = instance.locked = true #### Locks the cube.
layers = model.layers 
new_layer = layers.add "cube" #### Create a new layer "cube".
new_layer.visible = false #### Hides the "cube" layer.

I can not find how to add the new layer on my cube!

You have an idea ?

Thank you

[TIG]

That's the easy bit !
instance.layer = new_layer
You could also lock it, so that its harder to delete if someone activates that layer later
instance.locked = true
You can also hide it for good measure, so it's harder to find if !
instance.hidden = true

However, nothing is foolproof...
Layers > 'Cube' > ON shows it...
View > Hidden Geometry > ON shows it...
Select instance and right-click > Unlock > Unlocks it...
Select instance and right-click > Unhide > Shows fully it...
Hit delete > to remove it...
or Open Component Browser find 'Cube' and use context-menu to delete its definition, when prompted accept...
or Layers > Delete 'Cube' and accept to delete all entities using it...

[TNTDAVID]

Thank you TIG it works perfectly!

The most important is to prevent the accidental suppresion.

Same CleanUp does not remove my cube.

Protection against copying is not good.

Is there a solution to make my cube inaccecible from SketchUp?

For example, do not display the "cube" layer in the Layers window?

%(#FF0000)[**

---

It still remains a very important objective to accomplish:**]

How do I load my "Plugin" has every opening a SketchUp file?

I doubt that it will be harder to find!

Thank you in advance for your help.

David

[TNTDAVID]

Hello everyone.

As my last objective seems difficult, I return to my first idea.

Instead of automatically import the "cube.skp" on each new SketchUp scene.

The "cube" will be imported along with the first "Dynamic Component".

Here is the modified code and that works:

module TesteCube


  module CubeImport
  
      path_to_components = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'Components')
      @@path_to_00 = File.join(path_to_components, 'Dynamic Component.skp')
      @@path_to_resources = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'Resources')
	  
    def self.methode1

      path = Sketchup.find_support_file("cube.skp", 
      "Plugins/TesteCube/Components/")
      model = Sketchup.active_model
      definitions = model.definitions
      component_definition = definitions.load(path)
      point = Geom;;Point3d.new(0, 0, 0)
      transformation = Geom;;Transformation.new(point)
      instance = model.entities.add_instance(component_definition, transformation)
      status = instance.locked = true 
      layers = model.layers
      new_layer = layers.add "cube"
      new_layer.visible = false
      instance.layer = new_layer
      instance.locked = true
      instance.hidden = true
      Sketchup.active_model.import(@@path_to_00)

    end
	

    if !file_loaded?(__FILE__)
	
	
      su_menu = UI.menu("Plugins")

      cc_menu = su_menu.add_submenu(%Q(Teste_Cube))
		
      tb = UI;;Toolbar.new(%Q(Teste-Cube))
		
      command1 = UI;;Command.new("add Dynamic Component"){ CubeImport.methode1 }

      command1.small_icon = File.join(@@path_to_resources,"add_00.png")

      command1.large_icon = File.join(@@path_to_resources,"add_00.png")

      command1.tooltip = %Q(add Dynamic Component)

      command1.status_bar_text = %Q(add Dynamic Component)

      command1.menu_text = %Q(add Dynamic Component)

      cc_menu.add_item(command1)

      tb.add_item(command1)
		
      tb.restore
 
      file_loaded(__FILE__) 

      end
  
   end

end	 

Notice that "method1" to one more line to import "Dynamique. Component.skp"
at the same time that the "cube.skp".

The line of code with the more interest to me is:

command1 = UI::Command.new("add cube") { CubeImport.methode1 }

She created a new icon { that triggers methode1 }.

If I click once on the icon:

methode1 will import "1 cube" + "1 component Dynamic".

If I click ten times on the icon:

method1 will import "10 cubes" + "10 Dynamic Components".

That's exactly my problem

I do need a single "cube", with no restrictions on the number of "Dynamic Components".

How to limit the amount of cube imported at "1" ?

Through links provided by DanRathbun and especially "Ruby in twenty minutes",
I understand better now the ruby.

But this is not sufficient to finalize my code as a great.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Cordially

David