I would be very grateful for any input on this, whether general or specific. Here is a display generated by a nameset - the components here are generally laid out end to end along the x axis

by the NS add device.

For example, the sanitaryware belongs to the sanitaryware grouping which belongs to the bathroom space (which will be further elaborated with finishes, fittings, plumbing, HVAC etc.). A floor amongst other items has spaces and common elements like walls, and similarly a building has one or more floors. I can rotate, position, offset and resize each (where logical). All the resulting data is attached to their named component, grouping or collection which is nested in the records much the same as a website HTML with its DOC structure ... and so my question is whether I can pass this type of thing on via ruby in bounding boxes.

Maybe I am being too ambitious with this, but the alternative is tortuous and not not very progressive. If you find the idea challenging then let's discuss the why's and wherefor's.

My regards

Chris

Win32ole not this ...

Help to develop namesets then you can do anything without relying on any proprietary products ... (Any formula in Excel can be done in Javascript)

Chris

Thanks Andrew. Here is the state of play right now.

Remember the only direct use of the Sketchup interface is opening the plugin. Everything else is done by the Javascripts. Jim has been most supportive with his Ruby expertise, and I want to acknowledge that.

The next step is sorting out the maths to account for the xyz's of the nested components and nested collections of components. This is a bit of a headache. Enough to drive even an Aussie to drink.

Keep in touch. I understand the pressures of running a business. So no worrries.

Toodle pip!

Chris

@chrisglasier said:

oscarlok
Perhaps there are areas for collaboration

What I was thinking here was that so far Namesets move from Javascript to Sketchup. This means anyone who has a browser can use them (with Sketchup, as a kind of remote control). But there are others, particularly forum members, who prefer to work directly in the Sketchup interface, in which case it would make sense to have VCP input or calculated data to move from Sketchup to Javascript.

And I do not have the skill nor inclination to broach that! Although I will happily support it. Let me know what you think ...

Chris

@unknownuser said:

Namesets is a good script! Oscar

Very kind, thanks. But you know it is more than a script; it is a different way of working, the technology for which is largely funded like this:

My regards

Chris

oscarlok

Please have a look at http://sites.google.com/site/namesets/. It seems we have similar intentions. Perhaps there are areas for collaboration - Namesets (in lieu Excel) to SU for example? Namesets are made with html and javascripts - the devices and lists can be made and used by anyone. Namesets can perform within Sketchup web dialogs (as plugins).

My regards

Chris

Here's my first trials at video making (no sound yet). Of course they relate to this topic. Any criticism and advice most gratefully received!

My regards,

Chris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWxRrfJq0Cs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEp86BXVzl8

So the line was not so good - never mind.

Just to recap ...

When you click on a name, namesets finds its plain text record, grabs the name of its component skp file(s) and the x, y, and z coordinates and passes the whole lot to a ruby to display the components in Sketchup in the right locations.

A TV remote control button changes the channel. A nameset name changes a sketchup display. It can also change or compile time schedules, status reports, purchase orders, site instructions, snagging lists and so forth; this is the main point.

I am sure you are right about the screen capture movies, they should make all this verbosity redundant.

Tp

Chris

Added trial video to web site July 22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWxRrfJq0Cs

@aadbuild said:

Hi chris, a quick question with the java script imports, are they going to be similar to clicking on components and inserting a java script component?

Whilst the HTML file (including the scripts) in the web dialog is a plugin I don't think it good to think of the functions in the scripts as imports; they are more like commands from a TV remote control. The nameset design doesn't require you to work in the Sketchup display, but it would be good if it were bilateral - for example, clicking on a component in Sketchup reruns the names display, clicking on a name in a nameset causes the blue boxes in the related components to appear in Sketchup. One scenario is one big screen being worked by several people, each with a nameset - visions of war rooms in old films but without the girls in nylons pushing RAF planes around like croupiers.

Got the headset but I won't bother you tonight. Anyway we are off to the movies (looking to pick up a few tips!)

Tp

Chris

Thanks Andrew ... now I feel guilty!

I am sure your components will be most useful but I need some time to examine them. But I also need skps of furniture, fittings, plumbing and suchlike as the basic idea is to use them to define space requirements (working from inside out). You can see from the records extract below that in the early stages of design the minimum spaces set by the components' layouts accumulates the w's and d's back to the start. (As decisions are made and approved they become W's and D's - i.e. fixed.)

1;index; 2;genericName; 2;givenName; 3;childNo; 4;parentNo; 5;theType; 6;collection; 7;product; 8;grouping; 9;composite 
0;10;1;Start;5;0;3;11;4;10;w;2017;d;1524
0;11;3;14;3;13;3;12;1;Site;2;Site;5;6;4;10;w;2017;d;1524
0;12;1;Constraints;2;Constraints;4;11;5;8
0;13;3;17;3;16;3;15;1;Design;2;Design;4;11;5;8;w;2017;d;1524
0;14;1;Brief;2;Brief;4;11;5;8
0;15;1;Landscape;2;Landscape;4;13;5;8
0;16;1;Roads;2;Roads;4;13;5;8
0;17;3;18;1;Buildings;2;Buildings;4;13;5;8;w;2017;d;1524
0;18;1;Building;2;Building;4;17;5;6;w;2017;d;1524;3;46;3;45;3;44;3;43;3;42;3;41;3;19;3;40;3;39;3;38;3;47
0;19;3;27;3;20;1;Floor;2;Floor 5;4;18;5;6;w;2017;d;1524
0;20;3;37;3;36;3;35;3;34;3;33;1;Spaces;2;Spaces;4;19;5;8;w;1637;d;1524;3;32;3;31;3;21;3;30;3;29
0;21;3;22;1;Space;2;Bathroom;4;20;5;6;w;1637;d;1524
0;22;1;Sanitary;2;Sanitary;4;21;5;8;3;26;3;25;3;24;w;1637;d;1524
0;24;1;Bath;2;Bath;4;22;5;7;x;1037;y;0;z;0;w;600;d;1524;h;500;model;Bath;rx;90;ry;0;rz;0
0;25;1;Basin;2;Basin;4;22;5;7;x;0;y;0;z;450;w;457;d;400;h;210;model;Washbasin
0;26;1;WC;2;WC;4;22;5;7;x;457;y;0;z;0;w;555;d;600;h;600;model;WC
0;27;3;53;3;52;3;48;3;28;1;Elements;2;Elements;4;19;5;8;w;2017;d;100
0;28;1;Wall;2;Wall;4;27;5;9;s;cube;x;-100;y;0;z;0;w;2117;d;100;h;2800

These records are similar (though more expandable) to the components breakdown but so far they are one way - Javascript to Sketchup. It would be good to make it bilateral so that those who prefer to use Sketchup to establish names, dimensions and so on can do so in the knowledge that their data will be made interoperative.

I am going to buy a headset so I can call you on Google Talk (I think the basic idea should be reasonably clear now not to confuse you with my babble) and also make a video as you suggested!

Toddle pip!

Chris

@aadbuild said:

Hi Chris please excuse my absence unfortunatley I have been caught up in work I will get back to you as soon as I get time with some component instances

That's OK. It was kind of you to offer. I have plenty to do making new devices, annotating the code, testing and so on. I put screenshots of completed devices on http://sites.google.com/site/namesets/ - a measure of progress if you like. You or anyone else are welcome to have a look and comment. You may also find this helpful:

The prototype nameset is for a six storey apartment block with elevator and all the usual stuff. If anyone else would also like to volunteer some components, all will be gratefully received and acknowledged.

My regards

Chris

Thanks for the responses. I have persevered with the dialog.execute_script because this seems right and proper, but I think at least for the moment I have to fall back on the exception business - probably try ... catch rather than window.external as I use that a lot during development stages.

Thanks again.

Chris

@remus said:

CHris, none the less it is the designers fault more than anything else, he chose the wrong method of presentation for the client ...

Precisely the point. Well done!

Chris

@remus said:

Chris, surely that problem would be easily solved by talking to the client

This took place at least ten years ago in Hong Kong, at a time and in a place where the newest technology and speed would surely caress the client. It failed. From this it seems understanding what others expect can be as significant as the tools that suit the way you work.

... and so on

Chris

I think this anecdote adds another perspective ...

An architect had a friend who was a whiz at producing photo realistic models of interiors. After a quick lunch with a client to receive the brief for a chic new restaurant, the architect visited the premises and within two days they had come up with what seemed like photographs of the finished interior. The architect next met the client and proudly presented the images. The client's face dropped. "I thought you would bring along some rough sketches, so that we could go through the ideas together."

@rickw said:

EDIT: After a few more readings, I think I may have figured it out You could use @dialog.execute_script(javascript_goes_here) that could set a js variable to say the html was opened from SketchUp.

Many thanks ... apologises for the many readings!

I tried a function call as shown here:

#Ruby

@dlg = UI;;WebDialog.new("Nameset", false,"",300, 205,0,0,false)
      	     
	subDir = "D;/Nameset3/"
	fileName = "Nameset3 machine.htm"
	
@dlg.set_file File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), subDir+fileName)
	
@dlg.execute_script("startSketchup()") 

//javascript

function startSketchup(){
sketchup=1
productsRun()}    //picks up and positions skp components 

The dlg.execute_script works fine from the Ruby console but not directly. Obviously I am missing something - but what?? I tried a add_action_callback but that causes much aggro with non-Sketchup use, and I quickly gave up trying to get one to work.

Further advice much appreciated.

Chris

I am trying to get a web dialog to recognise it has been opened by a sketchup plugin. Is there some standard Ruby like window.opener in Javascript. (The html file in the web dialog can be opened and used with other applications provided the Sketchup switch = 0).

Any guidance gratefully received ... Thanks

Chris

No problem. That's good. Thanks for letting me know.

Chris

I sent you two PMs on Friday but you don't seem to have picked them up yet ... any problem?

Chris