'explains code to an inanimate object' I'd prefer this: [image: beer.jpg] Downside is that after a while you'll need to debug what you are saying

After snooping around the Ruby source and looking how it's done there, it looks like this is the way to go: <span class="syntaxdefault">struct Color<br /></span><span class="syntaxkeyword">{<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  unsigned char red</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> green</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> blue</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> alpha</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">;<br />};<br /><br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">static VALUE<br />color_to_sketchup</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> Color color </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">)<br />{<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  VALUE mSketchup</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> cColor</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">;<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  VALUE skp_color</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> args</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">[</span><span class="syntaxdefault">4</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">];<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  <br />  mSketchup </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_const_get</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_cObject</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_intern</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxstring">"Sketchup"</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">)</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">);<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  cColor </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_const_get_at</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> mSketchup</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_intern</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxstring">"Color"</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">)</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">);<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  <br />  args</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">[</span><span class="syntaxdefault">0</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">]</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_float_new</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> color</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">.</span><span class="syntaxdefault">red </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">);<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  args</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">[</span><span class="syntaxdefault">1</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">]</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_float_new</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> color</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">.</span><span class="syntaxdefault">green </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">);<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  args</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">[</span><span class="syntaxdefault">2</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">]</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_float_new</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> color</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">.</span><span class="syntaxdefault">blue </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">);<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  args</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">[</span><span class="syntaxdefault">3</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">]</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_float_new</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> color</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">.</span><span class="syntaxdefault">alpha </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">);<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  <br />  skp_color </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> rb_class_new_instance</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> 4</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> args</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> cColor </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">);<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">  <br />  return skp_color</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">;<br />}</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span>

Here: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=bc92eca8611ed04d2470944666440e50 If you do not like the texture on it, you can reload the material in the Material browser > In model library with your own - UV mapping will remain intact (note that this model is extremely high poly stuff - 90 segments were used instead of the default 24 segments in the circles when the sphere was created so expect some lags in SU). It was mapped with this plugin: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23725

@thomthom said: @dan rathbun said: Hmm ... I see rescue modifiers do not work with require(), for some reason ? What you mean? What modifiers? The conditional keywords if and unless can be used in block position: [ if| unless] ( expression) statements end or modifier position: statement [ if| unless] ( expression) **rescue** can also be used in modifier poistion, but ... my attempt at this: require('booboo.rb') rescue nil ... does NOT trap the LoadError (because LoadError < ScriptError < Exception, and rescue only traps RuntimeError and subclasses by default.) For a one-liner, we must use semi-colons: begin require('booboo.rb'); rescue Exception; nil; end

Indeed. I've used it for many years. I remember it being included in a list along with other Send Action options during the @Last days.

Any news on this topic? Can model specific states be safely indexed by the model object now or do we still need to use hacks such as using the DefinitionsList object id as index?

@dan rathbun said: NO (the above,) will not work because Sketchup::require() and Sketchup::load() do not raise LoadError. They just return false on failure, and 0 on success. (I do have a API bug report filed on this.) They don't raise LoadError ...? That's interesting. My mistake was that I tested the whole thing by loading manually from an external location instead of placing the file in the Plugins folder and having it load at startup. My "simulation" was incorrect.

For me it's simple: For registered users give the opportunity to comment on incorrect information/give more explanation and give possibility to add code examples. I always like the way PHP does it: http://php.net/manual/en/function.include.php If you give us the tools, we help you with the content...

They are added by the DC extension.

Heavy model, so I disabled automatic refreshing. Took too long.

Nice find! Thanks!

These are fairly good: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=21216 If you're looking to spend money, I recommend these: http://www.cadplants.com/index.php

Thanks. A bit tedious going that route, so I made the "Q" key a shortcut.

I see this free business as a way to create new business activities for yourself. An off-the-wall example - if you wanted to get into publishing (a very long time ago) you would have needed to invent the alphabet or suchlike. Obviously, you could not charge for this at the beginning because no one had any idea what to do with it nor later because it had already been freely copied and integrated. But it had served your initial purpose establishing your name and fame in the new highly competitive and expanding market you created. Like Ford or Kodak perhaps. Moreover always one step ahead you were able to invent new-alphabet based ventures that people were only too happy to pay for. Isn't this what Google are doing with free search and advertising. Could this be the basis for free Sketchup - models as the means of communication. The new hieroglyphs? This pay-for premium services is all well and good but rather weak-kneed - a bit of a side show really. PS great 'where's the coffee story'!

i just ended up here. Fernando's trick seems doest work fully with sketchup 2016. so as new user i have to crack up my brain. I simply used Text Mix in environment Load the hdri in text A and set the Text Sky in Text B.Disable the Text C (Mix). Then after series of trials. I unticked the Text B. Seems working. Shadows apperared with affecting the hdri's intensity. Hope thus helps.

You'll find the Sketchucation tools very handy for plugins too. http://sketchucation.com/resources/plugin-store-download

@thomthom said: Very interesting article: http://develop3d.com/profiles/easy-as-123 You may find this interesting, it is a (kinda self replicating) 3d printer that you can build vertually for free by developers in the UK. You can get parts for your build from others that have allready built one and will print out a part for you and you pass on the favor. Oh when I say free the average cost of build is circa $300 Pretty amazing Project called "rep rap" http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Auto-Replicating-3D-Printer-Now-Available-for-Free-82825.shtml Cheers

loads lightning fast for me Thom.

Thanks. I was aware of that BTW

Reading, reading... I am not an expert in anything but really curious!