Automatically load a component.

TIG

You can always write code that does not need to use 'global' variable reference - i.e. avoid the form $myCompo
These globals are seen by and affect all Ruby code running, so it's not a good idea, as one day your code and someone else's code will clash - e.g. imagine if you used $x, and changed its value in your script, then someone else's code that also ill-advisedly uses that same reference is messed up afterwards - so just don't go there !
There are several useful built-in Ruby globals like $: etc that are useful.
SketchUp itself chose to break the rule with how it handles DC references.
If your code only uses the SketchUp and Ruby globals it should at least pass those EW tests...
However, it's not a certainty - if that is a reason appeal - I once wrote a method containing a Constant named TEMP pointing at a temporary folder location.
It was rejected by EW because it was reassigning a system Constant - of course it was not as it was within it's own module - so after an appeal they relented and allowed it - they had simply misread the code...

A variable is only available in the method it is made - e.g. x or myCompo
An instance variable is available in all methods within a module or those within one instance of a class - e.g. @x or @myCompo; so it's remembered across Module use, during that session.
A class variable is initialized outside of any methods within a class and is available in all methods in any use of that class, during that session - e.g. @@x or @@myCompo
Another form of reference is a Constant, these must start with a Capital letter, often they are in all capitals, but it's not compulsory. You can reset the value of a Constant in code but it produces a Ruby Console warning message, there are ways of changing a Constant in code to avoid the message, but since a constant is set up to remain the same it seems perverse to do so. There are built-in Constants like ORIGIN, X_AXIS and so on, you can set up your own unchanging ones to be remembered across a module that session - e.g. IMAGES_FOLDER, TEMP_FOLDER etc.
To keep values per key across sessions you can write custom attributes to almost anything - from the model itself through collections like Layers and Materials, to elements like a definition, or individual instances etc.
This way you can remember the last user inputs for each model.
To remember the last user inputs for your tool globally across models consider using Sketchup.write_default() and [ruby:3rngofgq]read_default()[/ruby:3rngofgq]
You can of course write data to a file and read it back later [like an ini file]...

I gave you the code to open the DC Options dialog...
[ruby:3rngofgq]$dc_observers.get_latest_class.show_configure_dialog[/ruby:3rngofgq]
Using
[ruby:3rngofgq]$dc_observers.get_latest_class.methods.sort[/ruby:3rngofgq]
prints a long list of ALL methods accessed by that DC class's function...

The obvious candidate for closing it is...
[ruby:3rngofgq]$dc_observers.get_latest_class.close_configure_dialog[/ruby:3rngofgq]

Which does indeed work !

TIG

Please don't capitalize code inappropriately, it can break it.
Also never put a space between a module/class and its method.
So it's NOT:
$Dc_observers .get_latest_class.show_reporter_dialog
but
$dc_observers.get_latest_class.show_reporter_dialog

And also try to use () around passed arguments - with no intervening space...
NOT
Some_Module.some_method 1, 2, 3
use
Some_Module.some_method(1, 2, 3)

TIG

$dc_observers.get_latest_class.methods.sort

.!
.!=
.!~
.<=>
.==
.===
.=~
.id
.send
.apply_instance_cache
.apply_relative_move
.attribute_dictionary_to_json
.can_be_configured
.children_have_behaviors
.chop_quotes
.class
.clean_entity_name
.clean_for_json
.clean_for_xml
.clean_up_report_data
.clear_forced_config_values
.clear_highlight
.clear_instance_cache
.clone
.clone_attributes
.close_configure_dialog
.close_manager_dialog
.close_reporter_dialog
.configure_dialog_is_visible
.convert
.copy_number_of
.copyless_name
.define_singleton_method
.delete_all_attributes
.delete_attribute
.delete_cascading_attribute
.delete_onclick_state
.delete_template
.destroy_highlight_instance
.determine_movetool_behaviors
.display
.display_attribute?
.dup
.entity_to_json
.enum_for
.eql?
.equal?
.escape
.explode_if_3d_warehouse
.extend
.find_entity_by_sheet_name
.fix_float
.freeze
.frozen?
.generate_report
.generate_report_string
.get_attribute_access
.get_attribute_base_units
.get_attribute_error
.get_attribute_formlabel
.get_attribute_formula
.get_attribute_formulaunits
.get_attribute_label
.get_attribute_list
.get_attribute_options
.get_attribute_units
.get_attribute_value
.get_cascading_attribute
.get_classifier_data
.get_configure_dialog
.get_decimal_delimiter
.get_default_authoring_units
.get_default_units
.get_definition_attribute
.get_entity_formula_name
.get_entity_lengthunits
.get_forced_config_value
.get_formula_result
.get_instance_attribute
.get_instance_attribute_list
.get_instance_cache_list
.get_length_format
.get_length_unit
.get_live_value
.get_nested_attribute
.get_temp_path
.get_template_dictionary
.handle_place_component
.has_behaviors
.has_dc_attribute_dictionary
.has_forced_config_values
.has_instance_cache
.has_movetool_behaviors
.hash
.inspect
.instance_eval
.instance_exec
.instance_of?
.instance_variable_defined?
.instance_variable_get
.instance_variable_set
.instance_variables
.is_3d_warehouse
.is_a?
.is_free?
.is_mac
.is_online
.kind_of?
.make_unique_if_needed
.manager_dialog_is_visible
.method
.methods
.name_of_copy
.name_of_entity_is
.nil?
.object_id
.parse_attribute_path
.parse_formula
.parse_reference
.parse_subformula
.private_methods
.protected_methods
.public_method
.public_methods
.public_send
.pull_attribute_tree
.pull_information
.pull_selection_ids
.push_attribute_set
.query_to_hash
.read_templates
.redraw
.redraw_with_undo
.refresh_configure_dialog
.refresh_dialogs
.refresh_manager_dialog
.refresh_thumbnails
.remove_instance_variable
.rename_attribute
.replace_formula_references
.reporter_dialog_is_visible
.reset_last_highlight
.respond_to?
.run_all_formulas
.run_facearea_formulas
.run_formula
.save_configure_thumbnail
.save_report
.save_report_to_file
.second_if_empty
.second_if_nan
.send
.set_attribute
.set_attribute_error
.set_attribute_formula
.set_dialog_properties
.set_forced_config_value
.set_nested_attribute
.show_configure_dialog
.show_dialog
.show_dialog_orig
.show_manager_dialog
.show_reporter_dialog
.singleton_class
.singleton_methods
.store_instance_cache
.store_instance_cache_attribute
.store_nominal_size
.strip_operator
.swap_component
.taint
.tainted?
.tap
.to_enum
.to_json
.to_s
.translate
.trust
.unescape
.untaint
.untrust
.untrusted?
.update_last_sizes
.update_template
.url_escape
.url_unescape

TIG

Sketchup.active_model.select_tool(DCInteractTool.new($dc_observers))

Perhaps ?

TNTDAVID

TIG thank you for having brought clarity!

I will try to pass the exam of the extension warehouse with the "$" symbol.

@tig said:

The obvious candidate for closing it is...
$dc_observers.get_latest_class.close_configure_dialog

The closing code of the window components options, works fine.

@tig said:

$dc_observers.get_latest_class.methods.sort
prints a long list of ALL methods accessed by that DC class's function...

I tried all the methods, but none can activate the tool "Interact with Dynamic Components".

Do you know how to activate this tool?

For information, here the line of code to open the reports window:

$Dc_observers.get_latest_class.show_reporter_dialog

To see all of the methods, this code also works:

$Dc_observers.get_latest_class.methods

Thank you

TNTDAVID

Component Option

result = Sketchup.send_action 50168

Component Attribute

result = Sketchup.send_action 50170

Do not ask me how I found the ID, because you will not believe me.

Edit : I just noticed that the ID of the toolbar "Dynamic Component" is random and changes each computer.

I must again begin my research.

TNTDAVID

To turn the tool "Interact with the Dynamic Component", it is very easy:

result = Sketchup.send_action 50167

As against the "Component Options" is much more difficult!

Someone has a solution?

Thank you

TNTDAVID

@tig said:

Please don't capitalize code inappropriately, it can break it.

Sorry, this is due to my translator and my lack of attention!
I edited several of my messages to correct these silly mistakes.

@tig said:

Sketchup.active_model.select_tool(DCInteractTool.new($dc_observers))

Wooow gorgeous, this code it works great!

How did you find this solution?

I have some beginner questions:

1 - How to activate several actions if a condition is met?

Example:

	  if new_layer.visible?
	  puts new_layer.visible = false # action 1A
	  puts Sketchup.send_action "selectSelectionTool;" # action 2A
	  elsif
	  puts new_layer.visible = true # action 1B
	  puts Sketchup.active_model.select_tool(DCInteractTool.new($dc_observers)) # action 2B
	  end

Two "puts", it does not work!
Is there a way to acomplire both A shares, if the layer is visible or both B shares, otherwise?

2 - How to check if a tool is selected?

For example :

Sketchup.active_model.select_tool (DCInteractTool.new ($ dc_observers))

3 - How to check if an " Existing " layer is visible?

For example:

The layer, "Click-Window 3D".

In advance, thank you for your answers.

TIG

I messed on until I found some DC related code that worked - it was NOT simple...
Try this alternative...

 puts vis = new_layer.visible?
if vis # 'true' = visible so we switch it off...
  new_layer.visible = false # action 1A
  puts Sketchup.send_action("selectSelectionTool;") # action 2A
elsif # 'false' = not visible so we switch it on...
 new_layer.visible = true # action 1B
 puts Sketchup.active_model.select_tool(DCInteractTool.new($dc_observers)) # action 2B
end

It should return true OR false, then toggle the layer's visibility on/off, and exit to the select-tool or interact-tool as appropriate.
2. You could get the active_tool... BUT if it's Ruby based, just that - not it's name...
3. layer = Sketchup.active_model.layers.add("Click-Window 3D") sets layer to be the layer of that given name, and it makes it IF it doesn't already exist.
Then use
vis = layer.visible?
which as we have seen in 1. above vis returns true or false...

TNTDAVID

@tig said:

puts vis = new_layer.visible?
if vis # 'true' = visible so we switch it off...
new_layer.visible = false # action 1A
puts Sketchup.send_action("selectSelectionTool:") # action 2A
elsif # 'false' = not visible so we switch it on...
new_layer.visible = true # action 1B
puts Sketchup.active_model.select_tool(DCInteractTool.new($dc_observers)) # action 2B
end

TIG thank you, your code works very well!

Out of curiosity, I tested variants to see if I could simplify your example.

I finally found it:


   if new_layer.visible?
      new_layer.visible = false 
      Sketchup.send_action("selectSelectionTool;")
      elsif
      new_layer.visible = true 
      Sketchup.active_model.select_tool(DCInteractTool.new($dc_observers))
      end

The error in my first example is:

puts new_layer.visible = false

You just had to remove the "puts", which does not work with "=".

Through your example, I found my main mistake.

1.For another tool, such as "Move", how to tell if it is selected?

2.Even if the existing layer is, we are forced to use the "layers.add" method, to know whether the layer is visible?

3.If the layer exists, layers.add replaces the layer or it is ignored?

Come on we will move to supperior level.

In the sample code below, we will add 2 attributes to a component box.

The first defined a color for the "Material" attribute.

The second adds a fonctione "REDRAW" to attribute "Onclick".

Here is the example GIF:

Here's the code:

UI.menu("Plugins").add_item('MyBox Red') {
	  
      sang = Sketchup.active_model
      sang_definition = sang.definitions
      sang_def = sang_definition['box']
	  
      sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes','material', 'red' 
      sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes','_material_formula', '"red"'

      sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes','onclick', 'REDRAW()'
      sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes','_onclick_formula', '"REDRAW()"'
	  
      dcs = $dc_observers.get_latest_class
      dcs.redraw_with_undo(sang_def) 
      }

The "REDRAW" in OnClick, is the best way I've found to redraw the attributes of my component.

To redraw a dynamic component in ruby, I found this code written by DanRathbun in this forum:

def recalc_dc(inst)
return nil unless defined?(DCObservers)
if inst.is_a?(Sketchup;;ComponentInstance) &&
inst.attribute_dictionary('dynamic_attributes')
if @dc_observers.nil?
ObjectSpace.each_object(DCObservers) {|o| break @dc_observers = o }
end
return nil unless @dc_observers.respond_to?(;get_latest_class)
latest_dc_class = @dc_observers.get_latest_class
return nil unless latest_dc_class.respond_to?(;redraw_with_undo)
latest_dc_class.redraw_with_undo(inst)
end
nil # (there is no particular return value)
end

4.How to use the code of DanRathbunwith my example?

5. How to integrate my code in a method?

I tried this:

def Mybox
      sang = Sketchup.active_model
      sang_definition = sang.definitions
      sang_def = sang_definition['box']
	  
      sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes','material', 'red' 
      sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes','_material_formula', '"red"'

      sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes','onclick', 'REDRAW()'
      sang_def.set_attribute 'dynamic_attributes','_onclick_formula', '"REDRAW()"'
	  
      dcs = $dc_observers.get_latest_class
      dcs.redraw_with_undo(sang_def)
      end

But it does not work!

Thank you in advance for your help.

PS: We are on a completely different subject, is it a good idea to open a new topic?

TIG

The active_tool etc should spot 'Move', but why do you need to find it ?
You do not need to use the layer = layers.add("layer_name") method, BUT it is a simple way to either add a new layer by that name, and get a reference to it, OR, if it already exists then it returns a reference to that existing layer...
See 2. above - that does NOT 'replace' the layer, it simply returns a reference to that layer by name - either if it's newly made, or it's preexisting...

TNTDAVID

@tig said:

Le active_tool etc devrait repérer 'Move', mais pourquoi avez - vous besoin de le trouver?

For my general culture ruby script.

I have the same question but an icon from my toolbar:

I need to check or uncheck a icon!

1. If the icon in "command18" and is checked, the icon "command17" is automatically unchecked.

We see the example in the SketchUp toolbar "styles".

2. I want to check the icon of the "command1" with the first click, then uncheck the 2nd click. And so on ...

Here is my code:

      command17 = UI;;Command.new("Opens Settings Panel"){ CW_Pro_mm.panel }

      command17.small_icon = File.join(@@path_to_resources,"add_17.png")

      command17.large_icon = File.join(@@path_to_resources,"add_17.png")

      command17.tooltip = %Q(Opens Settings Panel)

      command17.status_bar_text = %Q(Opens Settings Panel)

      command17.menu_text = %Q(Opens Settings Panel)
	  
      command17.set_validation_proc {
	  
      if Sketchup.active_model # ..... ???
      MF_ENABLED
      else
      MF_CHECKED
      end
     }

Thank you for your help.

David

TNTDAVID

I'm looking everywhere, I can not find a solution.

Like my icons have no name, should I use the method in my code?

By exeple:

if Sketchup.active_model.selection.panel?

Reminder, I wish to know the code to verify if my icon " command17 " which call the " panel " method, is "on" or "off"?

It is certainly not difficult, but I find the answer anywhere.

I need your helps.

Thank you

TIG

You are muddling up functions and methods again.
The ' selection' has no method .panel?

I don't quite understand your terminology or what it is you hope to achieve.

If you have a toolbar with let's say two buttons and you want only one to be enabled at a time...
You have already found the set_validation_proc method...
http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/developer/docs/ourdoc/command#set_validation_proc
In the example in the API usage it checks:
if Sketchup.active_model.selection.length == 0
i.e. that nothing is selected.
If so, then it disables that command, otherwise it is enabled...
This works in menus and toolbars alike...

To make a working example of this make your two commands and add set_validation_proc code to each command, make the test a simple one like if something is selected in the model [as in the API example] but reverse the logic in the second command...
there are several ways to do that...
The if becomes unless or if ! or if not, OR change the test from == 0 to != 0

This way your menu/toolbar buttons are enabled/disabled depending on a selection...
You can of course make lots of different tests, what is it you need ??

TNTDAVID

I do not want to enable or disable a button, depending on a selection in the model.

I want to enable or disable a button, depending on the selection of another button.

Example Image:

TIG

You have started another thread and I've replied there.
I know you do not want to trigger it depending on a selection - I just used that as an example...
In the example you show the other buttons are not disabled.
When one is active it's shown 'depressed', when another is click that takes the focus and appears depressed.
It the other buttons were actually 'disabled', then they would not be clickable and you'd never get out of the first clicked button's state !