Thanks for helping look into this Jim. GetSaveFile probably accepts the / as well. (I didn't test it). I have always been a little disappointed in UI.openpanel. Using Win32API.so (which requires that you install a second file with your plugin and only works with Windows Apps), lets me specify patterns for acceptable extensions, and also to specify a default extension to be appended if the user doesn't enter one. And the GetOpenFile version lets me require that the file exist before the use can hit OK. Small things. But it is too bad that SketchUp can't find the time to update some of their routines. (This could easily be done with either new routines, or optional parameters, to make them a little more useful.) However, the main point of the original post is that it would be nice if you could pass write_default() a string and have it save it and return it, without having to "reverse engineer" which characters don't work.

I was finally able to do this using Win32API and a function I call "call_and_wait". def self;;call_and_wait(scommand_line) cp_params = 'LPLLLLLLPP' create_process = Win32API.new('kernel32','CreateProcess', cp_params, 'I') startinfo = [0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0].pack('LLLLLLLLLLLLSSLLLL') # place holder for results procinfo = [0,0,0,0].pack('LLLL') trace("scommand_line; %s", scommand_line) cp = create_process.call(0, scommand_line, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, startinfo, procinfo) trace("create_process returned; %s", cp) if (cp == 0) return end#if # get process if of process we created hProcess = procinfo.unpack("LLLL")[0] trace("hProcess; %s waiting...", hProcess) if (hProcess == 0) return end#if waitForSingleObject = Win32API.new("kernel32","WaitForSingleObject",['L','L'],'L') a = waitForSingleObject.Call( hProcess, 0xFFFFFFFF ) # wait forever trace("waitForSingleObject returned; %s", a) end#def The WaitForSingleObject waits for the task to complete without using up resources. The ruby command system(command_line) runs the commands and waits for it, but uses up 1/2 of the resources of the machine in a tight loop checking to see if the command is done yet.

@unknownuser said: Al, when you say "RPC"....any links to exactly who you are talking about? Larry This link is the RPC page on the Render Plus Wiki: RPC Objects This link is the RPC page on the ArchVision web site: ArchVision web site RPC makes quite a few objects which work well - especially as background in architectural renderings. [image: banner_people_BYU4.jpg] (This image from the ArchVision web site is not a SketchUp or an IRender Image) If you, or anyone else try our RPC, let me know what you think. We have not been able to find any interest in RPC in the SketchUp community. However, Revit comes with more than 100 RPC objects, so their may be more interest in the Revit community.

Thanks to Al, Chris and Gaius, I made a copy of what was installed in my laptop: the 3 files in sketchup/plugin and all folder the Render Plus System in Program Files and now it s working. I think that something was not installed in the render plus system....

I was on a PC. I'll try the valid check. I can create an ordinary deleted entity - by deleting one - but I would still like to know how this state happens.

Good idea (Tutorials section) and thanks to Boothy for creating the original tutorial

Now I have that Only half of the way headache.skp

Speaking as a student, i am far more likely to try and learn a piece of software if their is a student version available. Leading on from this, im a lot more likely to buy a full version of the afore mentioned software when i start using it commercially, as it is what i know. I suppose the way i look at it is no sale at all Vs. initially reduced profit, but with an increased user base.

Okay, Al, but it sounds like you do want all four section planes perpendicular to the ground plane. As far as our slight semantic mixup, you did say initially that you want to "add a section plane perpendicular to the current view." I think it's rather natural to think of the "current view" as whatever is on the screen; therefore, anything perpendicular to that would appear edge-on. ~Voder

This is true (and of course, in your case it is even more important). But if the sender doesn't receive the copy of the email, he can suspect that something has gone wrong anyway. You can even ad this to the message it displays after sending the email. I send you a PM with the attachment.

WX probably refers to the WxWidgets namespace. A GUI Toolkit like FoxGUI. I can't really see anything. What type of computer is the client running on?

Although we have our own Forum for IRender nXt: http://nxt.accurender.com/forums/146.aspx I think many SketchUp users would prefer to post all their SketchUp related questions at a single forum. I was hoping that SCF wanted to be just that - a place for all questions relating to SketchUp - (SketchUp itself, 3D Warehouse, COntent providers, Ruby and other extensions, Renderers, other apps, etc.) By making the add-ons section more flexible (i.e. a sub-forum for any add-on which requests it), we would make it easier for users to post their questions to the proper sub-forum, to read questions about the add-on, and to subscribe to questions about the add-on)

Ahh, I' starting to get the picture. Yeah, I guess that would be handy. I dont use podium Kerkythea or iRender like I said. I generally just set it all up in 3dsmax. So, that is just my 1 person workflow. And I really don't know what I'm doing in 3dsmax. So I'd suggest finding more input. Speak up people. anyone else out there that this would benefit? Chris

Thanks Chris, In looking through these charts, such as the one at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx It looks like Home Premium does not allow Remote Desktop access. We use Remote Desktop a lot, because it lets us use 2 or 3 computers at the same time - all from a single keyboard and mouse. (We display the remote computers on a second monitor, which has worked very well for us.) Unfortunately, if I purchase the computer with Home Premium, I cannot easily upgrade it to Business - I have to go all the way to Ultimate. At least according to this site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/anytime-upgrade-overview.aspx

def test_error1 begin test_error2 # code which may contain an error rescue Exception => e do_rescue(e, "Test Error") end#begin end#def can be even reduced to def test_error1 test_error2 # code which may contain an error rescue Exception => e do_rescue(e, "Test Error") end But what really bothers me is that there is no option to make Ruby console pop up when there are new messages and stay hidden otherwise. As for now I guess I would just keep a file with Sketchup.send_action("showRubyPanel;") in the Plugins folders while doing active development.

We have uploaded the new version of IRender nXt, HH12a. You can download a copy from: http://www.renderplus.com/pdf/download.htm This version fixes a bug which prevented models using Object Properties from rendering properly. It also fixed some problems with the balance between Ambient Light and Natural Light See: Object Properties: http://wiki.renderplus.com/index.php?title=Object_Properties See: Ambient Light: http://wiki.renderplus.com/index.php?title=Ambient_Light