Okay, answering my own question I cannot find any doumentation that says that Sketchup has command line parameters to load a Ruby Script.

Another method would be to have the DXF file launch a Batch File when double clicked. The batch file would take the selected filename as an arument and use it to write a ruby script in the plugIn folder then launch Sketchup.

Following this Idea I wrote a small ruby script that should import a DWG.
It fails though. I can manually select 'File | Import' in Sketchup and the same dxf imports perfectly. Can someone look over my script?

--- LoadDWG.rb ---
model = Sketchup.active_model
show_summary = true
status = model.import "C:\AAA\ACIS Files\WKT 2424 A4O.dwg", show_summary
--- End LoadDWG.rb ---

This is the error I am getting.
--- Error ---
Error opening AutoCAD import file: Can't open file
This does not appear to be a valid AutoCAD DWG or DXF file
or the file is write protected
--- End Error ---

I am using Sketchup 7 with the optional downloaded DXF/DWG import tool.

@gruff said:

@eric_erb said:

if i could get it to work with .dxf or .dwg I'd be thrilled. So if one would be easier than the other for some reason, that's fine. Same goes for any other 3D cad format from autoCAD for that matter.

If I can get the script to import properly and if the
ArgV method is supported in Sketchup Ruby I see no reason why something couldn't be put together.

TIG:

My bad. I meant to say DWG in my post above.
I can import the same exact DWG file from the same path manually From the SketchUp Main menu "File | Import | Dxf/Dwg"
The Ruby script I show fails every time.

Could you try the import script with a DWG file?

I have the feeling that since they removed DXF/DWG import and made it an addin that the Sketchup ver 7 API no longer supports DXF/DWG import regardless of whether you install the separate importer download.

In the 7.1 Pro version imports dwg/dxf OK... just tried it [again]...
Your command is not typed properly... it should be.

model.import("C;\\AAA\\ACIS Files\\WKT 2424 A4O.dwg",true)

Note the \\ inside double "" to 'escape' the \ special character.
I also use () to separate the argument from the method, BUT that's not compulsory.
You only need true if you want the report screen to show - I'd use false so it's silent.
After the import the dwg/dxf is added at its/the origin, the Tool will then be Move to allow you to adjust it - if you don't want that set another Tool at the end of your code - e.g. Sketchup.send_action("selectSelectionTool:")

Hope this helps...

TIG:
Not used to Ruby's Escape char yet. Didn't have one in VB.

Eric_Erb:
Made several attempts at a solution. Ended up by chaining the following tools

1. Windows File Types setting (A process launched when double clicking a file)
2. RubyScriptLauncher.exe (My New Executable)
3. Ruby template file (textbased)
4. SketchUp

The end result is relatively quick and close to what you asked for. The only thing I can think of that might be an issue is that you can only import one file at a time and that it launches a new copy of SketchUp each time you use it.

I found one unexpected bug with my program this morning so I will not be uploading it until tonight when I get home and fix it.

I wrote the program to be non-specific.
It may be used with any file type that Sketchup can import through the SketchUp API.
You control what happens via the information you plug into the Windows File type settings and a the Ruby template file. You can have multiple template files for different import file types. My program uses the template file to construct a ruby file in plugins before starting Sketchup. After Sketchup is running and the file is imported the ruby file is automatically deleted.

Both the program and the template file must be located in the SketchUp PlugIns folder.

--- template file Auto_Import_DWG.TXT example ---
` # TEMPORARY_RUBY_FILENAME = Auto_Import_DWG.rb

The comment line above is required. Use any name you like for the .rb file.

model = Sketchup.active_model
show_summary = false
status = model.import "INSERT_FILENAME_TO_IMPORT_HERE", show_summary

In the line above the string "INSERT_FILENAME_TO_IMPORT_HERE" must exist.

It is case sensitive

layers = model.layers

Turn on all imported Layers

layers.each do | layer |
layer.page_behavior = LAYER_VISIBLE_BY_DEFAULT
layer.visible = true
end

view = model.active_view
view.refresh
view.zoom_extents

All comment lines and empty lines are removed when the ruby file is created.

Feel free to add whatever ruby code you want to run.`

--- end template file Auto_Import_DWG.TXT example ---

--- Windows File Type Information example ---
Application to perform this action:
"C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 7\Plugins\RubyScriptLauncher.exe" "%1" "Auto_Import_Dwg.TXT"
(Note the double quotes around each piece of information.)

If you need help getting to and setting up the Windows File Type settings for DWG let me know.

Okay, Here is the final product.

I added a couple more comment line constants for the template file that control.

Seconds until file deleted 2 - 30
Show Launcher Dialog true/false

The Attached Zip file contains three files.
All three need to be placed in your PlugIns Folder.

1. RubyScriptlauncher.exe
2. Auto_Import_dwg.txt (Sample template file)
3. File Type Diagram.jpg (Setting up 'File Type')

Since I did not use any fancy controls you should not need an installation setup program for RubyScriptLauncher.exe

RE: setting up the 'File Type' for DWG or other CAD files.
If you have AutoCad or other applications that use DWG then it could become problimatical.

Have Fun,

Zipped Sources

@eric_erb said:

Anybody get this to work?

Well obviously I have.

What are you having trouble with? Do you get any errors?

Can't use a .bat file and environmental variables (which a ruby can check for the existence of on SU startup?)

Here's a .bat

set LSU=%1
"c;\Program Files\Google\Google Sketchup 7.1\sketchup.exe"

And from Ruby once SU is running:

ENV['LSU']=> "C;\Documents and Settings\Jim\My Documents\drawing\100.dxf"

Can you set the file association using a .bat? I would guess so using the reg command. However, I would not recommend changing a user's file association for a .dxf.

Jim could you expand on what you are saying some?

Are you saying the a Windows Environment variable can be read by ruby in sketchup?
If so can it be set to nil when the ruby script is done importing the DWG?

I guess I envision something like the following pseudo-code

If EnvVar != nil then
  import EnvVar
  set EnvVar = nil
end if

That would be a better idea than creating and destroying a hard coded script file as my program currently does.

Yes, the environment variables are stored in a hash named ENV. Just type ENV in the Ruby Console:

ENV # View the entire hash
ENV["TheKey"] # returns a value
ENV["TheKey'] = nil # setting a value

I was thinking the ruby could live permenent;y in the Plugins foder, and just check for the existence of and env variable. If it is set, do to import (perhaps using a messagebox to confirm.) after everything finishes loading.

@gruff said:

Jim could you expand on what you are saying some?

Are you saying the a Windows Environment variable can be read by ruby in sketchup?
If so can it be set to nil when the ruby script is done importing the DWG?

I guess I envision something like the following pseudo-code

> If EnvVar != nil then
>   import EnvVar
>   set EnvVar = nil
> end if
> 

That would be a better idea than creating and destroying a hard coded script file as my program currently does.

[quote="Jim"]

ENV # View the entire hash
ENV["TheKey"] # returns a value
ENV["TheKey'] = nil # setting a value

Cool Beans Jim.

Of course it doesn't solve requiring my app to be running all the time. I suppose I could make it so it always stays on top but that could get to be annoying.

Dropping the DWG file on the taskbar icon doesn't Drop the file. Instead it make the application you dropped on the active application (So you have to drop a second time)

Can a web form detect a DragDrop event? If so perhaps a small always running web form would a better route? At least you could then import Acad files while SketchUp was running.

Don't know diddly about web apps so I am out of my element there.

@gruff said:

Can a web form detect a DragDrop event? If so perhaps a small always running web form would a better route? At least you could then import Acad files while SketchUp was running.

Great thought, and I'd bet the file path would then be accessible in the dialog and then could passed to Ruby, but I don't know enough about it to even test it.

update: dropping a file onto a dialog does indeed trigger some event. In my test case a Ruby file was dropped on a webdialog, and i was then presented the opportunity to save the file. I'm not sure if/how that could be trapped in JavaScript.

Dropping a text file displayed the file in the dialog.

up-update - couldn't be as simple as an ondrop function?

Here's an example for using the ondrop. I do not know how to get the dropped file name.

(I really wish this Ruby syntax would work:)

@dropper_dlg = UI;;WebDialog.new
@dropper_dlg.set_html(DATA.read)
@dropper_dlg.add_action_callback("drop") { |d, a|
  puts "drop;#{a.inspect}"
}
@dropper_dlg.show

__END__
<html>
  <head>
    <script>
      function drop() {
        window.location="skp;drop";
      }
      function cancelEvent() {
        window.event.returnValue = false;
      }
    </script>
  </head>
  <body ondragenter="cancelEvent()" ondragover="cancelEvent()" type=text ondrop="drop();">
    Hi There
  </body>
</html>

@jim said:

I do not know how to get the dropped file name.

In Windows Forms programming the event returns a variable of type DataObject. The DataObject has (Among other things.) a Files collection property

-- VB Code--
Private Sub OnDragDrop(Data as DataObject, _
                       Effect as Long, _
                       Button as integer, _
                       X as single, _
                       Y as single

  If Data.Files.Count = 1 then
    sDroppedFileName = Data.Files(1)
  end if

End Sub

Perhaps there is a similar structure in Java?

My guess is that it is in this dataTransfer object referenced on this page:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms536929%28VS.85%29.aspx

But I haven't had a chance to try it.

@eric_erb said:

How do you guys think in script? I just don't seem to be retaining ruby like I did the others.

Not to worry Eric. The old adage "If you don't use it you lose it." applies big time to coding. I write VB Code for a living so I have to keep up on some things.

It is not a mystery to me that Ruby is hard to remember. I put it down to the strict case sensitivity and the lack of a comprehensive Integrated development environment.