Posts made by pcmoor

Yes definitely learn Ruby

Currently Dynamic Components are the best and "native" way of placing data and having some control over objects, whether "Live Components" are able to compete or excel will be years away.
So stick with Dynamic Components and learn how they can be controlled and improved on using Ruby.

For example the "redraw all" script kindly donated by Dan

https://forums.sketchup.com/t/redraw-all-dynamic-components/77512/10 might help, or placing a redraw onclick in the cube

However a clear picture of what you trying to achieve may help me to advise the best method.
array copies are generally y = copy*(leny+space)

A guess form information posted:

have 3 attributes pick up distancey1 to 3, say dy1..dy3, then use choose(smallest(round(copy+1),4),0,dy1,dy2,dy3)
the smallest keeps it within the choose criteria

it maybe best to upload your project

nearest
then test if input > nearest
if so find the next value

example 1: use a string of values and string functions to get the next

---

next largest.skp

you could use the summary to display the data as the "component info" section is not affected.

I suggest you consider using some ruby scripts with your DCs to help with placement, multiple changes....

---

auto-erasing formulas.skp

To change the value in the dropdown

@unknownuser said:

I attach my component (which I'm particularly proud of, maybe naively...).

You should be proud, you have grasp the technical challenges of a relative difficult scripting language and now adding you own spin on it. This is what is going to help you adapt and improve whatever the future changes are.

It is clear that LCs is where the development is, hardwired and web savvy.
DCs will still be around for 5 years but likely, as before, no development'

@unknownuser said:

We intend to launch authoring tools for Live Components sometime next year. Being able to author Live Components is just the beginning though. Those apps/tools will expand over the next several years to offer new ways of modeling in conjunction with SketchUp.

https://forums.sketchup.com/t/introducing-a-new-kind-of-sketchup-object-live-components/139815/10

I understand they acquired the concept
https://forums.sketchup.com/t/introducing-a-new-kind-of-sketchup-object-live-components/139815/33

I would agree with Dan on the period ahead...

@unknownuser said:

The Dynamic Components extension has not had any new features for many many years, and will (most likely) not get any more. SketchUp team has said this before. There are too many extensions (some Trimble) that now rely upon the DCs to remain as they are.

It has also been like “pulling teeth” to get errors in the Dynamic Components extension fixed. I do hope (and politic) for all existing easily fixed errors in DC code to be fixed, before it is “retired” to an optional extension.

So, it is most likely [speculating] that the Dynamic Components extension would be “frozen” at some version, and thereafter remain as such in the Extension Warehouse as an optional extension. (Ie, it may no longer be distributed as a “default” extension with the SketchUp installer. But [speculating] this is not likely to happen for several major cycles until after Live Components is mature enough.)

https://forums.sketchup.com/t/livecomponents-vs-dynamiccomponents/140441/11

It has been reported that modified DC copies do not list in the writer, however still no fix, probably unlikely now LCs are the flavor, so we wait while they re-event the wheel instead of fixing thats broken or out of round...

https://forums.sketchup.com/t/generate-report-does-not-include-component-copies/80600 (2 years)

@unknownuser said:

n this second case, my solution would be NOT to modify the copy of the original instance but instead include an invisible pre-set 100x50 component, appearing in the right places(s) when needed... Could this work?

I believe this your best option, plus a 50x50

Any DC with nested DC(s) will become unique on a redraw, so I recommend using the definition name as a category rather than an identity, and use the instance name or a custom attribute as the identity. the #number is not considered, the reports "group by" is the instance or custom attribute.

If you simplify a DC so its nested components are not dynamic, then the definition #number will remain, so one could consider a method of simplification via a script as a possible solution depending on the DCs concerned.

Although you could script a swap for same, that "same" would have to be a simple DC with no nested DCs as the uniqueness would only be triggered again if there is a redraw

look at

https://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=289&t=51443

Some ideas..

1.create an unique copy of the DC with the required attributes (delete some?) then swap the geometry

2.for option drop downs, use

https://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=ae_AttributeInspector

copy and paste, then select outside.

3. to copy data from excel to paste in the DC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4gcm8HXLV0

you would need to private message an email address for this macro as it is not allowed on this post

"click the underside as you would pull the down-light to change"

have moved the onclick to the whole not the lens area so as to make it easier to operate

---

down light.skp

with beam?

---

down light.skp

Make all the parts then place their axis at their point of rotation, then place each component within any component if they share the same action, so a finger is within the hand, which in turn within wrist, then the wrist in the arm..so nesting depending the number of joints or detail required.
You will find it easy to place and change nesting using drag and drop in outliner,
With animation it depends on what you want, how much interaction. The example has one onclick to drive 3 movements, for transferred, nested elements its difficult to have separate onclicks as the parent will always proceed any nested ones. you would have to create 3 button areas in the parent to achieve this.

click the underside as you would pull the down-light to change

down light.skp

If you post your model, or a simple concept and how you want it to operate, then can be more specific on the best approach

I am using 2018. however can see problem when referencing in a formula, a suggestion is to put the pages in the value section of the options list

---

web page options.skp

My take on this,
Make solids, place, rotate as you want, then outer shell

see

https://www.academia.utp.ac.pa/sites/default/files/docente/72/material_de_apoyo_para_asignacion_4_ecuacion_de_lazo_cerrado_para_una_leva_de_perfil_circular.pdf

formula used:

did not see your post until today, after a bit of research on cams, (not my field, I'm carpenter and estimator)

need only the rotation and the formula does the rest

---

automaton demo.skp

the more you stare at it the more you see, like kind of getting night vision, or coming into a darkroom from sunlight

Copying groups with attributes creates groups that are connected, you would need to make them unique via a script

It may be best to make components, then right click make unique, you could experiment with reset scale or scale definition, which ever is best suited for the situation.

You can use find with the item to be found included in the text to avoid the error , and test if the result is within the length of the original text

Note that semi is placed before in the conditional statements otherwise will not be selected

---

using find without error.skp

Further to this, you will notice that on animation of the bottom drawer, all move. To correct this the animation must be moved to inside the copy. Hence another level is created.

My reason to ask about your interest in DCs is to guide you in your development. Although internal copies has its merit it also has many drawbacks, in that it greatly increases file size and becomes more complicated in structure, as are becoming aware. So if this is a basic project then okay, but if its a development toward a kitchen design system with quantity lists, materials... then I suggest looking at
https://sketchucation.com/plugin/1613-gkware_cabmaker

If you still wish to pursue your own, then I can help, but the DCs need to be simple and have the ability to swap, plus incorporate some simple ruby scripts to make it easier to handle.

---

Caisson Dynamique - Tiroirs - pcmoor2.skp