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comp.lang.ruby

SketchUp Ruby API

Rich Morin

5/15/2007 5:05:00 PM

I've seen no mention of SketchUp in this forum, so it may
be that many members are unaware of its capabilities and
promise. So, here is a brief rundown.

Google's SketchUp is an intriguing application that makes
it amazingly easy to generate 3D models, render them, etc.
Although it is not Open Source, a "freeware" copy of the
distribution can be downloaded.

SketchUp's Ruby API allows the program to be extended in
various ways: callbacks can be registered, methods can be
overloaded, menu items and tools can be added, etc. In
short, the API seems to have most of the functionality a
developer might need.

Unfortunately, the Ruby API is not "supported", so anyone
investing time on learning it may end up abandoned. Also,
activity on the forum (sketchupruby@googlegroups.com) is
rather low, possibly because most SketchUp users are not
programmers.

I'd love to see an influx of Rubyists into SketchUp; this
could help to convince Google to support the API, as well
as demonstrating its power and utility to the community.

-r
--
http://www.cf... Rich Morin
http://www.cf.../resume rdm@cfcl.com
http://www.cf.../weblog +1 650-873-7841

Technical editing and writing, programming, and web development
3 Answers

Gavin Kistner

5/15/2007 9:03:00 PM

0

On May 15, 11:04 am, Rich Morin <r...@cfcl.com> wrote:
> I've seen no mention of SketchUp in this forum, so it may
> be that many members are unaware of its capabilities and
> promise. So, here is a brief rundown.

Well, the SketchUp Ruby API not entirely unused by the Ruby community.
For example, I wrote a method for creating geodesic spheres as part of
one Ruby Quiz:
http://phrogz.net/RubyLibs/rdoc/classes/Sketchup/Geo...

That was back before Google bought @Last/SketchUp. I accept that I'm
not representative, though, because I have ex-coworkers now working on
the product, and the Google SketchUp office is right behind my
company's building :)

I'm surprised to learn how few Rubyists there are working at SketchUp,
though.

Adrian Loh

5/16/2007 4:12:00 AM

0

Been using Sketchup since pre-Google and just found out myself that
it's got a Ruby API. Where can I download the API? Would like to dive
into it soon. Thanks.

On 5/16/07, Phrogz <gavin@refinery.com> wrote:
> On May 15, 11:04 am, Rich Morin <r...@cfcl.com> wrote:
> > I've seen no mention of SketchUp in this forum, so it may
> > be that many members are unaware of its capabilities and
> > promise. So, here is a brief rundown.
>
> Well, the SketchUp Ruby API not entirely unused by the Ruby community.
> For example, I wrote a method for creating geodesic spheres as part of
> one Ruby Quiz:
> http://phrogz.net/RubyLibs/rdoc/classes/Sketchup/Geo...
>
> That was back before Google bought @Last/SketchUp. I accept that I'm
> not representative, though, because I have ex-coworkers now working on
> the product, and the Google SketchUp office is right behind my
> company's building :)
>
> I'm surprised to learn how few Rubyists there are working at SketchUp,
> though.
>
>
>

Rich Morin

5/16/2007 6:43:00 AM

0

At 1:11 PM +0900 5/16/07, Adrian Loh wrote:
> Been using Sketchup since pre-Google and just found out
> myself that it's got a Ruby API. Where can I download
> the API? Would like to dive into it soon. Thanks.

It's built into SU 6. Here's a useful link:

http://download.sketchup.com/sketchuphelp/gsu6_ruby/Docs/Ruby-cl...


See also sketchupruby@googlegroups.com

-r
--
http://www.cf... Rich Morin
http://www.cf.../resume rdm@cfcl.com
http://www.cf.../weblog +1 650-873-7841

Technical editing and writing, programming, and web development