123456789_123456789_123456789_123456789_123456789_

Class: Sketchup::Model

Relationships
Inherits: Object

Overview

This is the interface to a SketchUp model. The model is the 3D drawing that the user is working with, and it serves as the “entry point” for most Ruby API interactions. The Sketchup.active_model method gives you a handle to the current model, and from there you can use the model-level methods to start getting information and making changes.

Constants: Product Family

Examples:

# Grab a handle to the currently active model (aka the one the user is
# looking at in SketchUp.)
model = Sketchup.active_model

# Grab other handles to commonly used collections inside the model.
entities = model.entities
layers = model.layers
materials = model.materials
component_definitions = model.definitions
selection = model.selection

# Now that we have our handles, we can start pulling objects and making
# method calls that are useful.
first_entity = entities[0]
UI.messagebox("First thing in your model is a #{first_entity.typename}")

number_materials = materials.length
UI.messagebox("Your model has #{number_materials} materials.")

new_edge = entities.add_line([0,0,0], [500,500,0])

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

Constant Summary

Instance Attribute Summary

Instance Method Summary

Instance Attribute Details

#active_layer ⇒ Sketchup::Layer (rw)

The #active_layer method retrieves the active Layer.

The default layer in SketchUp is layer 0.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
layer = model.active_layer

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#active_layer=(layer) ⇒ Sketchup::Layer (rw)

The #active_layer= method sets the active Layer object.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
layers = model.layers
layer = layers.add('My Layer')
model.active_layer = layer

Parameters:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#active_path ⇒ Array<Sketchup::Drawingelement>? (rw)

Returns an array containing the sequence of entities the user has double-clicked on for editing. This allows one to determine whether they are in component edit mode and where in the model they are.

For example, if a user has double-clicked into a component to edit its geometry, and then double clicked into a sub-group to edit that, the active_path might contain:

[<Sketchup::ComponentInstance>, <Sketchup::Group>]

Examples:

active_path = Sketchup.active_model.active_path

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 7.0

#active_path=(instance_path) ⇒ Model (rw)

Note:

An instance path can only be opened if the instances are not locked. This also include instances of the same component definition that are not on the given path. A definition cannot be edited if any of its instances are locked.

Note:

Since changing the active entities in SketchUp also changes what coordinate system is used, entities can’t be modified in the same operation as the active entities changes. The API handles this automatically by starting and committing transparent operations as needed.

If the API user tries to do this:

model.start_operation('...', true)
model.active_entities.add_face(...)
model.active_path = instance_path
model.active_entities.add_face(...)
model.commit_operation

Then SketchUp will automatically break it up to something like to this:

model.start_operation('...', true)
model.active_entities.add_face(...)
model.commit_operation

model.start_operation('...', true, false, true)
model.active_path = instance_path
model.commit_operation

model.start_operation('...', true, false, true)
model.active_entities.add_face(...)
model.commit_operation

For the end user this will be experienced as a single operation.

For the API user the side-effect is multiple transaction notifications to ModelObservers.

The #active_path= method is used to open a given instance path for editing.

Examples:

Open an instance

model = Sketchup.active_model
instance = model.active_entities.grep(Sketchup::ComponentInstance).first
instance_path = Sketchup::InstancePath.new([instance])
model.active_path = instance_path

Close all instances

model = Sketchup.active_model
model.active_path = nil

Parameters:

Raises:

  • (ArgumentError) —

    if the instance path is not valid.

  • (ArgumentError) —

    if the instance path contains locked instances.

  • (ArgumentError) —

    if the instance path contains instances who’s siblings are locked.

  • (ArgumentError) —

    if the instance path contains Live Components.

Version:

  • SketchUp 2020.0

#description ⇒ String (rw)

The description method retrieves a description of the model as found in the Model Info > Files panel.

The returned description can be empty. The default description for all models is empty.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
description = model.description

Returns:

  • (String) —

    a description if successful.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#description=(description) ⇒ String (rw)

The #description= method sets the description of the model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
description = model.description = "This is a model of a house on the " <<
  "North West Corner of 10th and Dolores Street in Carmel, California"

Parameters:

  • description (String) —

    the description string to be set.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#georeferenced? ⇒ Boolean (readonly)

This methods determines if the model is georeferenced.

Examples:

if model.georeferenced?
  UI.messagebox('This model is georeferenced.')
else
  UI.messagebox('This model is NOT georeferenced.')
end

Version:

  • SketchUp 7.1

#mipmapping=(mipmap) ⇒ Boolean (rw)

This method can be used to turn mipmapping on or off.

Examples:

Sketchup.active_model.mipmapping = false

Parameters:

  • mipmap (Boolean) —

    whether mipmapping is turned on or off.

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    the new mipmapping setting

Version:

  • SketchUp 7.0

#mipmapping? ⇒ Boolean (rw)

This method can be used to find out if mipmapping is on or off.

Examples:

mipmapping = Sketchup.active_model.mipmapping?

Version:

  • SketchUp 7.0

#modified? ⇒ Boolean (readonly)

The modified? method determines if the Model has been modified since the last save.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
entities = model.active_entities
# Add a group to force the status return value to be true
entities.add_group
status = model.modified?

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#name ⇒ String (rw)

The #name method retrieves the name of the model.

This property can be seen in Model Info and maps to the component name if the model is inserted into another model. This property should not be confused with the model #path.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
name = model.name

Returns:

  • (String) —

    string name of the model

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#name=(name) (rw)

The #name= method sets the string name of the model.

Examples:

Sketchup.active_model.name = "My New Model Name"

Parameters:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#tags ⇒ String (rw)

The tags method retrieves the string tags of the model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
tags = model.tags

Returns:

  • (String) —

    string tags of the model

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#tags=(tags) ⇒ String (rw)

The tags= method sets the string tags of the model.

Examples:

Sketchup.active_model.tags = "Building, House, Brick"

Parameters:

  • tags (String) —

    new tags of the model

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#valid? ⇒ Boolean (readonly)

Determine if a model is a valid Model object. Returns false if the model has been closed.

This is useful on the mac where one can have multiple models open at the same time. In such a case, this method can tell you if the user has closed the model before you perform operations on it.

Examples:

# This is a silly example since the active model is generally going to
# be valid, but it illustrates the idea.
model = Sketchup.active_model
if model.valid?
  UI.messagebox('This model is valid.')
else
  UI.messagebox('This model is NOT valid.')
end

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

Instance Method Details

#abort_operation ⇒ Boolean

Note:

Never abort a transparent operation. Doing so would abort the operation it chains to. Instead, try to clean up and simply commit in order to make sure the operation is closed.

The #abort_operation method aborts the current operation started with the start_operation method.

The #abort_operation method is normally called from inside of a rescue clause to cancel an operation if something goes wrong.

Examples:

status = model.abort_operation

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#active_entities ⇒ Sketchup::Entities

Returns an Entities object which contains the entities in the open group or component instance. If no group or component is open for editing then this will be the same as #entities.

To perform actions upon the current set of entities the user is working with then this is the method to use. Entities selected by the user will be a subset of the active entities.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
entities = model.active_entities
entities.each { |entity| puts "#{entity} (#{entity.class})" }

See Also:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#active_view ⇒ Sketchup::View

The #active_view method returns the active View object for this model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
view = model.active_view

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#add_note(note, x, y) ⇒ Sketchup::Text

Add a text note to the Model. The position of the note is given as relative window positions between 0 and 1. For example, the following command would create a note that start 1/10 of the ways down the screen from the upper left corner of the window.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
# Add a note 1/10 ways down the screen and 1/10 ways right from the
# upper left corner of model window.
note = Sketchup.active_model.add_note('Hello World', 0.1, 0.1)

Parameters:

  • note (String) —

    A string note.

  • x (Numeric) —

    A distance along the x axis between 0 and 1.

  • y (Numeric) —

    A distance along the y axis between 0 and 1.

Returns:

  • (Sketchup::Text) —

    a note object or an exception if it is unsuccessful.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#add_observer(observer) ⇒ Boolean

The add_observer method is used to add an observer to the current object.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
observer = Sketchup::ModelObserver.new
status = model.add_observer(observer)

Parameters:

  • observer (Object) —

    An observer.

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#attribute_dictionaries ⇒ Sketchup::AttributeDictionaries

The #attribute_dictionaries method retrieves the AttributeDictionaries object that is associated with the Model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
dictionaries = model.attribute_dictionaries
if dictionaries
  # Code to do something if attribute dictionaries exist (usually you
  # parse the array of dictionaries.
else
  # Code to do something if attribute dictionaries do not exist.
end

Returns:

  • (Sketchup::AttributeDictionaries) —

    the AttributeDictionaries object associated with the entity, or nil if there are no attribute_dictionary objects associated with the model. Care must be taken if nil is returned, for example: invoking attribute_dictionaries.length will throw a NoMethodError exception, not return 0.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#attribute_dictionary(name, create = false) ⇒ Sketchup::AttributeDictionary

Returns the AttributeDictionary object that is specified by name. If the model does not have an attribute dictionary that corresponds to name, returns either nil, or a creates an attribute dictionary. If the optional second argument is true, and there is no attribute dictionary that corresponds to name, a new attribute dictionary is created.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
create_if_empty = true
dictionary = model.attribute_dictionary('name', create_if_empty)

Parameters:

  • name (String) —

    The name of the dictionary you are attempting to retrieve.

  • create (Boolean) (defaults to: false) —

    if set to true an attribute dictionary of the given “name” will be created if not found.

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#axes ⇒ Sketchup::Axes

The #axes method returns the drawing axes for the model.

Examples:

# Point for a rectangle.
points = [
  Geom::Point3d.new( 0,  0, 0),
  Geom::Point3d.new(10,  0, 0),
  Geom::Point3d.new(10, 20, 0),
  Geom::Point3d.new( 0, 20, 0)
]
# Transform the points so they are local to the model axes. Otherwise
# they would be local to the model origin.
tr = Sketchup.active_model.axes.transformation
points.each { |point| point.transform!(tr) }
Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_face(points)

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 2016

#behavior ⇒ Sketchup::Behavior

The behavior method retrieves the behavior of the model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
behavior = model.behavior

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#bounds ⇒ Geom::BoundingBox

The #bounds method is used to retrieve the ::Geom::BoundingBox bounding the contents of a Model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
bounds = model.bounds

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#classifications ⇒ Sketchup::Classifications

The #classifications method is used to retrieve the Classifications object for this model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
c = model.classifications

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 2015

#close(ignore_changes = false) ⇒ nil

Note:

As of SketchUp 2024.0 this method will ensure the next model window gets focus if there is one. Before that ‘Sketchup.active_model` might return nil after calling this method even though more models where open.

The #close method is used to close this model. On Mac OS, only the active model can be closed. On Windows, since there can be only one document open, this method will perform a File/New operation.

Examples:

Sketchup.file_new
model = Sketchup.active_model
model.close

Parameters:

  • ignore_changes (Boolean) (defaults to: false) —

    If ‘true`, model changes will be ignored and save prompts will be suppressed. If false, changes will not be ignored and save prompts will be displayed normally.

Version:

  • SketchUp 2015

#close_active ⇒ Boolean

Note:

Before SketchUp 2014 this method had a bug where it didn’t create an undo operation and that could lead to corrupted geometry when undo/redo was used after invoking this method.

The #close_active method is used to close the currently active (open) group or component.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
status = model.close_active

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#commit_operation ⇒ Boolean

The commit_operation method commits an operation for undo.

The commit_operation method is normally called at the end of a method to commit the operation that the method performs.

Examples:

status = model.commit_operation

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#definitions ⇒ Sketchup::DefinitionList

The #definitions method retrieves a definition list containing all of the component definitions in the model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
definitions = model.definitions

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#drawing_element_visible?(instance_path) ⇒ Boolean

The #drawing_element_visible? method reports whether the given drawing element in an instance path is visible given the current model options.

Examples:

Traversing every visible entity in the model

module Example

  def self.instance?(entity)
    entity.is_a?(Sketchup::ComponentInstance) || entity.is_a?(Sketchup::Group)
  end

  # Walk the visible entities in the model, taking into account
  # "DrawHiddenGeometry" and "DrawHiddenObjects" rendering options.
  def self.walk(entities, transformation = IDENTITY, path = [], &block)
    entities.each { |entity|
      entity_path = path + [entity]
      next unless entity.model.drawing_element_visible?(entity_path)
      block.call(entity, transformation, path)
      if instance?(entity)
        child_entities = entity.definition.entities
        child_transformation = transformation * entity.transformation
        walk(child_entities, child_transformation, entity_path, &block)
      end
    }
  end

end

model = Sketchup.active_model
Example.walk(model.entities) do |entity, transformation, path|
  # Do something to every visible entity in the model...
end

Parameters:

Raises:

  • (ArgumentError) —

    if the instance_path is not valid.

See Also:

Version:

  • SketchUp 2020.0

#edit_transform ⇒ Geom::Transformation

Returns the transformation of the current component edit session. If a user has double-clicked to edit a component’s geometry, this will return the transformation of that component, relative to its parent’s origin. This allows one to correctly calculate “local” transformations of a given entity regardless of whether the user is in edit mode.

Examples:

Sketchup.active_model.edit_transform

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 7.0

#entities ⇒ Sketchup::Entities

Note:

This does not return a collection of all the entities in the model, only the top level node of the model hierarchy. To get to all entities in a model you must recursivly traverse the model.

The #entities method returns an Entities object containing the entities in the root of model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
entities = model.entities

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#export(path, show_summary = false) ⇒ Boolean #export(path, options) ⇒ Boolean

The export method is used to export a given file format. It knows which format to export based on the file extension you place on the file name. For example, a filename of “thing.obj” will export an OBJ file, whereas “thing.dae” will export a COLLADA file.

For SketchUp Pro 7.1+, valid extensions include dae, kmz, 3ds, dwg, dxf, fbx, obj, wrl, and xsi. SketchUp Free only supports dae and kmz.

Format Support Changes:

  • SketchUp 7.1 added COLLADA (.dae) export capability.

  • SketchUp Pro 2015+ added IFC export capability.

  • SketchUp Pro 2016+ added PDF export capability.

  • SketchUp Pro 2018+ added options for all 3D exporters.

See the Exporter Options file for information on creating a valid hash for the various exporters.

Examples:

General use

model = Sketchup.active_model
show_summary = true

# Export dwg file on a PC, showing a summary when complete.
status = model.export('c:\my_export.dwg', show_summary)

# Export kmz file on Mac (note the absolute file path), without summary.
status = model.export('/Library/my_export.kmz')

# Export pdf file on a PC, showing a summary when complete.
options_hash = { :show_summary => true,
                 :output_profile_lines => false,
                 :map_fonts => false,
                 :model_units => Length::Meter }
status = model.export('c:/my_export.pdf', options_hash)

# Or for a COLLADA (.dae) file.
options_hash = { :triangulated_faces => true,
                 :doublesided_faces => true,
                 :edges => false,
                 :author_attribution => false,
                 :texture_maps => true,
                 :selectionset_only => false,
                 :preserve_instancing => true }
status = model.export('c:/my_export.dae', options_hash)

IFC Example

model = Sketchup.active_model
# If no IFC types are passed in, then no geometry will be exported.
options_hash = { :hidden_geometry => true,
                 :ifc_mapped_items => true,
                 :ifc_types => ['IfcBuilding', 'IfcDoor']}
status = model.export('c:/my_export.ifc', options_hash)

Overloads:

  • #export(path, show_summary = false) ⇒ Boolean

    Parameters:

    • path (String) —

      The name of the file to export.

    • show_summary (Boolean) (defaults to: false) —

      Boolean to show summary dialog.

  • #export(path, options) ⇒ Boolean

    Parameters:

    • path (String) —

      The path to save the export at.

    • options (Hash)

Raises:

  • (ArgumentError) —

    If the file extension is unsupported.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#find_entity_by_id(ids_or_array) ⇒ Array<Sketchup::Entity, nil>

Finds and returns entities by their entityID or GUID.

GUIDs looked up are only relevant to Group and ComponentInstance as these GUIDs are persistent. ComponentDefinition and Model GUIDs are not persistent and are not looked up.

When given an array of IDs, an array is returned with a 1:1 mapping to the input arguments. This array may contain nil values if some ids were not found. You cannot look up a mix of entityIDs and GUIDs in the same call.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model

# Look up by entityID.
entity_id = model.entities.add_line([0,0,0], [9,9,9]).entityID
entity = model.find_entity_by_id(entity_id)

# Look up by GUID.
guid = model.entities.add_group.guid
entity = model.find_entity_by_id(guid)

# Look up multiple.
entities = model.find_entity_by_id(id1, id2, id3)
entities = model.find_entity_by_id([id1, id2, id3])
entities = model.find_entity_by_id(guid1, guid2, guid3)
entities = model.find_entity_by_id([guid1, guid2, guid3])

Parameters:

  • ids_or_array (Array<Integer, String>) —

    Pass either a series of ids or a single array containing ids. Ids must either be entityID Integers or GUID Strings.

Returns:

  • (Array<Sketchup::Entity, nil>) —

    Returns an array with Entity objects for each id found and nil otherwise. Single Entity or nil when called with a single id.

Version:

  • SketchUp 2015

#find_entity_by_persistent_id(ids_or_array) ⇒ Array<Sketchup::Entity, nil> #find_entity_by_persistent_id(ids_or_array, **scope) ⇒ Array<Sketchup::Entity, nil>

Finds and returns entities by their persistent id.

When given an array of IDs, an array is returned with a 1:1 mapping to the input arguments. This array may contain ‘nil` values if some ids were not found.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model

# Look up by persistent_id.
pid = model.entities.add_line([0,0,0], [9,9,9]).persistent_id
entity = model.find_entity_by_persistent_id(pid)

# Look up multiple.
entities = model.find_entity_by_persistent_id(id1, id2, id3)
entities = model.find_entity_by_persistent_id([id1, id2, id3])

Limit search by scope

model = Sketchup.active_model
edge_pid = model.entities.add_line([0,0,0], [9,9,9]).persistent_id
layer_pid = model.layers.add('Hello World').persistent_id

# Search in all scopes:
entities = model.find_entity_by_persistent_id(edge_pid, layer_pid)
# => [#<Sketchup::Edge:0x000002567da4a8f0>, #<Sketchup::Layer:0x000002567da49e50>]

# Search in layer scope:
entities = model.find_entity_by_persistent_id(edge_pid, layer_pid, layers: true)
# => [nil, #<Sketchup::Layer:0x000002567da49e50>]

Overloads:

  • #find_entity_by_persistent_id(ids_or_array) ⇒ Array<Sketchup::Entity, nil>

    Parameters:

    • ids_or_array (Array<Integer>) —

      Pass either a series of ids or a single array containing persistent ids.

    Returns:

  • #find_entity_by_persistent_id(ids_or_array, **scope) ⇒ Array<Sketchup::Entity, nil>

    Parameters:

    • ids_or_array (Array<Integer>) —

      Pass either a series of ids or a single array containing persistent ids.

    • scope (Hash<Symbol, Boolean>) —

      Limit the scope of the search to the given scope categories.

    Returns:

    Version:

    • SketchUp 2020.2

Version:

  • SketchUp 2017

#get_attribute(dictname, key, defaultvalue = nil) ⇒ Object?

The get_attribute method gets the value of an attribute that in the AttributeDictionary with the given name. If no value is associated with key, or if the model does not have an attribute dictionary specified by name, the optional third parameter will be returned.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
model.set_attribute('testdictionary', 'test', 115)
value = model.get_attribute('testdictionary', 'test', 42)

Parameters:

  • dictname (String) —

    The name of the dictionary containing the value.

  • key (String) —

    The key containing the value.

  • defaultvalue (Object) (defaults to: nil) —

    default value that will be returned if a value does not exist.

Returns:

  • (Object, nil) —

    the value for a given key in the given dictionary if a value exists; the default value if a defaultvalue is provided and the value does not exist; nil if the value does not exist and no defaultvalue is provided.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#get_datum ⇒ String

the get_datum method retrieves the datum, in the form of a string, used in UTM conversions.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
datum = model.get_datum

Returns:

  • (String) —

    a datum represented as a string if successful.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#get_product_family ⇒ Integer

Returns a value which indicates the product family of the installed SketchUp application. As of SketchUp 2013, the return values are:

  • 0 = Unknown

  • 1 = Pro Trial

  • 2 = Pro

  • 3 = Pro Expired

  • 4 = Make Trial

  • 5 = Make Expired

  • 6 = Make

  • 7 = Pro License Unavailable

The Model class defines some of these values as constants as of SketchUp 2016.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
product_family = model.get_product_family
if product_family == Sketchup::Model::ProLicensed then
  puts "You are running licensed SketchUp Pro!"
end

Returns:

  • (Integer) —

    the product family number.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#guid ⇒ String

The guid method retrieves the globally unique identifier, in the form of a string, for the Model. The guid will change after the model is modified and saved. The Model guid is stored with the SketchUp file; it will not change if the file is moved to another computer.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
guid = model.guid

Returns:

  • (String) —

    a globally unique identifier, in the form of a string, for the model

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#import(path, options) ⇒ Boolean #import(path, show_summary = false) ⇒ Boolean

The import method is used to load a file by recognizing the file extension and calling appropriate importer.

See DefinitionList#import for importing a 3d model file as a component definition, without activating the ::UI for placing an instance.

See the {Sketchup::Importer Options} file for information on creating a valid hash for the various importers.

Examples:

Import for SketchUp 2017 and older

model = Sketchup.active_model
show_summary = true
status = model.import("filename", show_summary)

Import for SketchUp 2018+ and newer

model = Sketchup.active_model
options = { :units => "model",
            :merge_coplanar_faces => true,
            :show_summary => true }
status = model.import("filename", options)

Overloads:

  • #import(path, options) ⇒ Boolean

    Parameters:

    • path (String) —

      The input file path.

    • options (Hash) —

      The options.

  • #import(path, show_summary = false) ⇒ Boolean
    Note:

    This variant is for SketchUp 2017 and earlier.

    Parameters:

    • path (String) —

      The input file path.

    • show_summary (Boolean) (defaults to: false) —

      Show the summary dialog.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#instance_path_from_pid_path(pid_path) ⇒ Sketchup::InstancePath

The #instance_path_from_pid_path method returns a instance path given a string with persistent ids representing the path to the entity.

Examples:

points = [
  Geom::Point3d.new( 0,  0, 0),
  Geom::Point3d.new(10,  0, 0),
  Geom::Point3d.new(10, 20, 0),
  Geom::Point3d.new( 0, 20, 0)
]
model = Sketchup.active_model
entities = model.active_entities
group = entities.add_group
face = group.entities.add_face(points)
pid_path = "#{group.persistent_id}.#{face.persistent_id}"
# pid_path will look something like this: "658.723"
instance_path = model.instance_path_from_pid_path(pid_path)

Parameters:

  • pid_path (String) —

    a string with persistent ids delimited by period.

Raises:

  • (ArgumentError) —

    if a valid instance path cannot be created from the given input path string.

See Also:

Version:

  • SketchUp 2017

#latlong_to_point(lnglat_array) ⇒ Geom::Point3d

The latlong_to_point method converts a latitude and longitude to a Point3d object in the model. It does not actually work with a LatLong object, but operates on a 2-element array. The returned point will always be on the ground (z=0).

Examples:

# Draw a point in Boulder, Colorado (40.0170N, 105.2830W)
lnglat_array = [-105.28300, 40.01700]
model = Sketchup.active_model
local_point = model.latlong_to_point(lnglat_array)
model.entities.add_cpoint(local_point)

Parameters:

  • lnglat_array (Array(Numeric, Numeric)) —

    A 2-element array containing first the longitude then the latitude.

Returns:

  • (Geom::Point3d) —

    a point3d object if successful, false if unsuccessful.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#layers ⇒ Sketchup::Layers

The #layers method retrieves a collection of all Layers objects in the model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
layers = model.layers

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#line_styles ⇒ Sketchup::LineStyles

The #line_styles method returns the line styles manager.

Examples:

line_styles = Sketchup.active_model.line_styles

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 2019

#list_datums ⇒ Array<String>

This method retrieves an ::Array of all of the datums recognized by SketchUp.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
datums = model.list_datums

Returns:

  • (Array<String>) —

    An Array object containing the datums supported by SketchUp

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#materials ⇒ Sketchup::Materials

The #materials method returns a collection of all of the materials in the model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
materials = model.materials

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#number_faces ⇒ Integer

Returns the number faces in a model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
number_of_faces = model.number_faces
puts "There are #{number_of_faces} faces in the model."

Version:

  • SketchUp 7.1

#options ⇒ Sketchup::OptionsManager

The #options method retrieves the options manager that defines the options settings for the model.

Use the string keys instead of numerical indicies when accessing the options as the indicies are not consistent between SketchUp versions.

Examples:

# Output all options available.
options_manager = Sketchup.active_model.options
options_manager.each { |options_provider|
  puts options_provider.name
  options_provider.each { |key, value|
    puts "> #{key} - #{value}"
  }
}

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#overlays ⇒ Sketchup::OverlaysManager

Examples:

Sketchup.active_model.overlays.each { |overlay|
  puts "#{overlay.name} (#{overlay.overlay_id}) Enabled: #{overlay.enabled?}"
}

Version:

  • SketchUp 2023.0

#pages ⇒ Sketchup::Pages

The #pages method retrieves a Pages object containing all of the pages in the model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
pages = model.pages

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#path ⇒ String

The path method retrieves the path of the file from which the model was opened.

An empty string is returned for a model that has not been saved.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
path = model.path

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#place_component(componentdef, repeat = false) ⇒ Model?

The place_component method places a new component in the Model using the component placement tool.

Examples:

model.place_component componentdefinition, repeat

Parameters:

  • componentdef (Sketchup::ComponentDefinition) —

    A component definition object containing the definition (blueprint) for the component.

  • repeat (Boolean) (defaults to: false) —

    If set to true, stay in the component placement tool and place multiple components.

Returns:

  • (Model, nil) —

    The model object on success or Nil

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#point_to_latlong(point) ⇒ Geom::Point3d, Geom::LatLong

The point_to_latlong method converts a point in the model to a LatLong so that you can get its latitude and longitude.

This method uses the location information set in ShadowInfo.

NOTE: SketchUp 6.0 and higher has a change where this method returns a Point3d instead of a LatLong, where the x and y values contain the LatLong coordinates.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
local_point = Geom::Point3d.new(10, 10, 10)
world_point = model.point_to_latlong(local_point)

Parameters:

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#point_to_utm(point) ⇒ Geom::UTM

This method converts a Point3d object in the Model to UTM coordinates.

This method uses the location information set in ShadowInfo. See also UTM.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
point = Geom::Point3d.new(10, 10, 10)
utm = model.point_to_utm(point)

Parameters:

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#raytest(ray, wysiwyg_flag = true) ⇒ Array(Geom::Point3d, Array<Sketchup::Drawingelement>)?

Note:

The parameter wysiwyg_flag was added in SU8 M1.

The raytest method is used to cast a ray (line) through the model and return the first thing that the ray hits.

A ray is a two element array containing a point and a vector [Geom::Point3d(), Geom::Vector3d()]. The point defines the start point of the ray and the vector defines the direction. If direction can not be normalized (e.g. direction = [0, 0, 0]), direction is taken as a point the ray intersects.

first value is a Point3d where the item that the ray passed through exists. The second element is the instance path array of the entity that the ray hit. For example, if the ray hits a face that is contained by a component instance the instance path would be [Component1]. If the ray hit a

face that is contained by a component instance, which
is contained by another component instance and so on,
the instance path would be [Component1, Component2,
Component3...].

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
ray = [Geom::Point3d.new(1, 2, 3), Geom::Vector3d.new(4, 5, 6)]
item = model.raytest(ray, false) # Consider hidden geometry when
                                 # computing intersections.

Parameters:

  • ray (Array(Geom::Point3d, Geom::Vector3d)) —

    A two element array containing a point and a vector.

  • wysiwyg_flag (Boolean) (defaults to: true) —

    An optional boolean, added in SU8 M1, indicating whether or not to consider hidden geometry in intersect computations. If this flag is not specified, it defaults to true (WYSIWYG) - i.e. hidden geometry is not intersected against.

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#remove_observer(observer) ⇒ Boolean

The remove_observer method is used to remove an observer from the current object.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
observer = Sketchup::ModelObserver.new
model.add_observer(observer)
status = model.remove_observer(observer)

Parameters:

  • observer (Object) —

    An observer.

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#rendering_options ⇒ Sketchup::RenderingOptions

The #rendering_options method retrieves the RenderingOptions object for this model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
renderingoptions = model.rendering_options

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#save ⇒ Boolean #save(path) ⇒ Boolean #save(path, version) ⇒ Boolean

Note:

A bug in SketchUp 2016 and older caused the .skb backup file written during save to be empty. The .skp file was however valid.

Note:

Starting with SketchUp 2021, SketchUp is using a the same file format across versions. For instance, SketchUp 2021 can open a file made in SketchUp 2022.

This method is used to save the model to a file.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
# Save the model using the current SketchUp format
path = File.join(ENV['HOME'], 'Desktop', 'mysketchup.skp')
status = model.save(path)

# Save the model to the current file using the current SketchUp format
status = model.save

# Save the model to the current file in SketchUp 8 format
status = model.save("", Sketchup::Model::VERSION_8)

# Save the model in SketchUp 8 format
path = File.join(ENV['Home'], 'Desktop', 'mysketchup_v8.skp')
status = model.save(path, Sketchup::Model::VERSION_8)

Overloads:

  • #save ⇒ Boolean

    Save model to the path it is already associated with.

    Raises:

    • ArgumentError if the model is not previosly saved.

    Version:

    • SketchUp 2014

  • #save(path) ⇒ Boolean

    Save the model to a given path.

    Parameters:

    • path (String) —

      If empty, the model saves to the path it is already associated with.

    Version:

    • SketchUp 6.0

  • #save(path, version) ⇒ Boolean

    Save the model as a specific SketchUp file version to a given path.

    Parameters:

    • path (String)
    • version (Integer) —

      Possible values are:

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_3,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_4,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_5,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_6,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_7,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_8,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2013,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2014,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2015,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2016,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2017,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2018,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2019,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2020,

      • Sketchup::Model::VERSION_2021

    Version:

    • SketchUp 2014

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful

#save_copy(path, version) ⇒ Boolean

This method is used to save the copy of the current model to a file.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
# Save copy of the model using the current SketchUp format
path = File.join(ENV['Home'], 'Desktop', 'myModelCopy.skp')
status = model.save_copy(path)

# Save copy of the model in SketchUp 8 format
path = File.join(ENV['Home'], 'Desktop', 'mysketchupcopy_v8.skp')
status = model.save_copy(path, Sketchup::Model::VERSION_8)

Parameters:

  • path (String) —

    The path of the file to save the model copy to.

  • version (Integer) —

    See #save for supported values.

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful

Version:

  • SketchUp 2014

#save_thumbnail(filename) ⇒ Boolean

The save_thumbnail method is used to save a thumbnail image to a file. The image format is specified by the file extension of filename. Supported formats are bmp, jpg, png, tif, pct, and gif.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
status = model.save_thumbnail('testthumbnail2.jpg')

Parameters:

  • filename (String) —

    The name of the file, with extension, to save the thumbnail as.

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#select_tool(tool) ⇒ Model

This method is used to select a SketchUp Tool object s the active tool. You must implement the SketchUp Tool interface to create a tool prior to calling this method.

The select tool is activated if you pass nil to the select_tool method. You must implement the SketchUp Tool interface to create a tool, prior to calling this method, and then instance the tool implementation and pass the object to this method. If you attempt to set the select_tool to nil in the initialize method of a tool you have written, it will be ignored.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
tool = model.select_tool(nil)

Parameters:

  • tool (Object) —

    The Tool object you want to select.

Returns:

  • (Model) —

    The Model object.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#selection ⇒ Sketchup::Selection

This method retrieves a Selection object for the model, containing the currently selected entities. The entries in the selection list are not necessarily in the same order in which the user selected them.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
selection = model.selection

Returns:

  • (Sketchup::Selection) —

    A Selection object with 0 or more entities that are currently selected.

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#set_attribute(attrdictname, key, value) ⇒ Object

This method is used to set the value of an attribute in an attribute dictionary with the given name.

This method can be used create a new AttributeDictionary object, if needed.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
value = model.set_attribute('attributedictionaryname', 'key', 'value')

Parameters:

  • attrdictname (String) —

    The name of the attribute dictionary whose attribute you wish to set.

  • key (String) —

    The attribute name.

  • value (Object) —

    The value to set.

Returns:

  • (Object) —

    the value that was set

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#set_datum(datum) ⇒ nil

This method sets the datum used in conversions between the internal coordinate system and UTM.

The default datum is WGS84. You can use the method list_datums to get a list of all of the datums supported in SketchUp. If you pass an invalid datum to set_datum, set_datum returns the default datum.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
value = model.set_datum('Adindan')

Parameters:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#shadow_info ⇒ Sketchup::ShadowInfo

This method is used to retrieve the shadow information for the Model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
shadowinfo = model.shadow_info

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#start_operation(op_name, disable_ui = false, next_transparent = false, transparent = false) ⇒ Boolean

Note:

Operations in SketchUp are sequential and cannot be nested. If you start a new Ruby operation while another is still open, you will implicitly close the first one.

The #start_operation method is used to notify SketchUp that a new operation (which can be undone) is starting.

The op_name argument is a description for the operation that is displayed adjacent to the Edit > Undo menu item. Make sure to provide a user friendly name for your operation.

Starting with SketchUp 7.0, there are three additional booleans that one can pass in when starting an operation. It is recommended to always set disable_ui to true. It’s left to false for default for compatibility reasons.

Examples:

Observer Operation since SU2016

class MyDefinitionsObserver < Sketchup::DefinitionObserver
  def onComponentAdded(definitions, definition)
    return if definition.deleted?
    # The operation name won't be displayed when the fourth argument is
    # +true+. It will absorb into the previous operation.
    definition.model.start_operation('Tag It', true, false, true)
    definition.set_attribute('MyExtension', 'Tag', 'You are it')
    definition.model.commit_operation
  end
end

observer = MyDefinitionsObserver.new
model = Sketchup.active_model
model.definitions.add_observer(observer)

Typical Operation

model = Sketchup.active_model
model.start_operation('Generate House', true)
model.entities.add_line([0, 0, 0], [9, 0, 0])
model.entities.add_line([9, 0, 0], [9, 0, 9])
model.commit_operation

Parameters:

  • op_name (String) —

    name of the operation visible in the ::UI

  • disable_ui (Boolean) (defaults to: false) —

    if set to true, then SketchUp’s tendency to update the user interface after each geometry change will be suppressed. This can result in much faster Ruby code execution if the operation involves updating the model in any way.

  • next_transparent (Boolean) (defaults to: false) —

    Deprecated! if set to true, then whatever operation comes after this one will be appended into one combined operation, allowing the user the undo both actions with a single undo command. This flag is a highly difficult one, since there are so many ways that a SketchUp user can interrupt a given operation with one of their own. Use extreme caution and test thoroughly when setting this to true.

  • transparent (Boolean) (defaults to: false) —

    if set to true, then this operation will append to the previous operation. This is particularly useful for creating observers that react to user actions without littering the undo stack with extra steps that Ruby is performing.

Returns:

  • (Boolean) —

    true if successful, false if unsuccessful

Raises:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#styles ⇒ Sketchup::Styles

The #styles method retrieves the styles associated with the model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
styles = model.styles

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#title ⇒ String

The tile method retrieves the name of the model. If the model is saved on disk, returns the file name without extension. Otherwise returns an empty string.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
title = model.title

Returns:

  • (String) —

    the title of the model or an empty string (if the title is not set)

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#tools ⇒ Sketchup::Tools

The #tools method is used to retrieve the current Tools object.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
tools = model.tools

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0

#utm_to_point(utm) ⇒ Geom::Point3d

The utm_to_point method converts a position given in UTM coordinates to a Point3d in the Model.

Examples:

model = Sketchup.active_model
utm = Geom::UTM.new([+1, "A", 0.12333333, 0.12321321])
point = model.utm_to_point(utm)

Parameters:

Returns:

Version:

  • SketchUp 6.0