Creating a 3d model isn’t a linear experience, you often have to take a step back, or two or ten. However, while extensions adds great power to SketchUp and let the user create better models, they can sometimes put a fork in the process. One Continue reading →
SKUI — A GUI Framework for SketchUp
Introducing SKUI, a GUI framework for SketchUp. It’s a library that lets you create and manipulate WebDialog GUI using only Ruby code. It saves you from needing any knowledge of HTML, CSS, JS or browser compatibility issues in order to create a UI for your Continue reading →
SketchUp WebDialog — The Lost Manual — Now on GitHub
In an attempt to make the old WebDialog – Lost Manual easier to update and maintain I have created a GitHub repository. The content has been split up into several Wiki pages instead of one giant document and is open for the community to contribute Continue reading →
SketchUp Plugin Checklist
Here’s a simple overview of important items to remember when developing and distributing a SketchUp plugin. Where I have already written about the topic or other sources exists it’s been linked. Otherwise it’s a just simple brief description where a topic eventually will be written. Continue reading →
PickHelper — A Visual Guide
I’ve put together a visual guide to the PickHelper class in SketchUp’s Ruby API. When I first tried to use the PickHelper class I was confused over what the different methods did, and found that the class has multiple purposes which makes the class somewhat Continue reading →
The Locked property is just a flag
This is something I’ve not been good at myself in adhering to – and that is ensuring that when I write plugins they do not modify locked groups or components. Because the surprising reality is that the #locked? property of the Group and ComponentInstance class Continue reading →
SketchUp Plugins can be Installed Anywhere
A common pitfall I see SketchUp plugin developers fall into is finding the correct path to where their plugin is installed. It is important to realise that a plugin might not be installed in SketchUp’s Plugins. The reasons are many, but a very common one, Continue reading →
Dealing with Units in SketchUp
There are extensions to the base classes in SketchUp’s Ruby API which often new SketchUp plugin developers overlook. If you aren’t aware of them you might find yourself reinventing many features of the SketchUp API which already exists. There is very little you need to Continue reading →
Robust Feature Checking in SketchUp
When the SketchUp Ruby API introduces new features or changes a common pattern to ensure backward compatibility is: if Sketchup.version.split(‘.’)[0].to_i < 7 model.start_operation(‘FooBar’) else model.start_operation(‘FooBar’, true) end One might even need to check the minor and revision number in some cases. But doing so require Continue reading →