[Plugin] Name Group on Creation

[Jim]

This simple script creates a Group from the selected geometry, then prompts for the group's name. Use the "Make Named Group" function from the Edit menu. Also has a context menu item.

2010-Dec-07

* Up to 20 Names are saved between SketchUp sessions. The names are sored ina file name Plugins/makeNamedGroups_names.txt, which can be edited using a plain-text editor - one name per line.

This file is meant to replace the file named makeNamedGroup+.rb, if installed.

Download
makeNamedGroup.rb

[Stinkie]

Thanks. Very handy.

[alz]

Nice - Thanks Jim! I've added it as my new group shortcut.

[plot-paris]

quite handy.
but sometimes I dont want to name a group (for example if it is just temporary). I do know nothing about programming. but is it possible to write a ruby, that lets the cursor appear within the group's name in the outliner after creation instead of popping up a new window?

that would be the perfect solution for me...

[Jim]

quite handy.
but sometimes I dont want to name a group (for example if it is just temporary). I do know nothing about programming. but is it possible to write a ruby, that lets the cursor appear within the group's name in the outliner after creation instead of popping up a new window?

that would be the perfect solution for me...

Just tapping the Enter key will make the dialog go away and name the group "Group". There is no way to select the group in the outliner for editing. (At least from Ruby.)

[JClements]

Thanks Jim, I changed my shortcut for grouping to your script.

Question: Is it possible to have the Input Box "remember" its last position? Sometimes the input boxes can coverup the area you are working on and I want to move them out of the way.

[a4chitect]

it should ideally prompt in the VCB only

[Jim]

Thanks Jim, I changed my shortcut for grouping to your script.

Question: Is it possible to have the Input Box "remember" its last position? Sometimes the input boxes can coverup the area you are working on and I want to move them out of the way.

Yes, but only if I switch it to use a WebDialog. Which I will do a little later just for kicks.

[Jim]

it should ideally prompt in the VCB only

I quite like this idea - no dialog at all. I'll try this too.

EDIT: Unfortunately, this can't be done. Anyone guess why?

[RickW]

Going strictly on (sometimes faulty) memory, I think VCB input is only available to tools.

[Jim]

Going strictly on (sometimes faulty) memory, I think VCB input is only available to tools.

True, and also any key shortcut you hit while typing the name will exit the Tool anyway.

[a4chitect]

sorry for not checking myself first... thanks for looking into it

[AlexMozg]

Jim, thank you for a wonderful idea.
I edited your script and added list of the before entered values for a substitution
and also checking for an empty selection.
Jim, once again thank you.
*************
Jim, I regret because published this script here.
I think that it is not nice for my part.

[j_forrester]

Can this be used commercially?

[Jim]

Can this be used commercially?

I sent you a PM.

[bianhai]

Thanks!Jim!

[watkins]

Dear Jim,

Could you possibly modify your script to include a toggle On/OFF icon so that the box can be made to automatically pop up when a group is created. As it stands, leaving the Entity Info box open on the screen is more convenient. The box automatically popping up would remind the user to name the group, making Outliner easier to use. The toggle OFF option would be useful for those not needing the detail.

Kind regards,
Bob

[Jim]

Jim, thank you for a wonderful idea.
I edited your script and added list of the before entered values for a substitution
and also checking for an empty selection.
Jim, once again thank you.
*************
Jim, I regret because published this script here.
I think that it is not nice for my part.

Thanks, I've included your modified version in the first post of this thread.

[watkins]

Dear Jim,

I note that when a named group is deleted it disappears from the list in Outliner, but not from the list in makeNamedGroup+.rb.

Is there any way to update/purge the list when groups are deleted?

Kind regards,

Bob

[Jim]

Hi Bob,

I'll have a look at it over the weekend, as well as your earlier message.

[watkins]

Dear Jim,

As always, many thanks.

By the way, the polymer base is in manufacture, and so is the load spreader. I am currently working on the details of the drive unit.

Regards,
Bob

[Jim]

Dear Jim,

Could you possibly modify your script to include a toggle On/OFF icon so that the box can be made to automatically pop up when a group is created. As it stands, leaving the Entity Info box open on the screen is more convenient. The box automatically popping up would remind the user to name the group, making Outliner easier to use. The toggle OFF option would be useful for those not needing the detail.

Kind regards,
Bob

Isn't this how it works? The dialog pops-up if you use the Make Group option in the Plugins menu.

[watkins]

Dear Jim,

Yes, you are right. I missed the right-click context menu. Apologies for wasting your time.

Thanks,
Bob

[Jim]

Good news - I found a way to detect when a Group is created. This is cool because now I can pop-up a dialog when the built-in Make Group is used - so there's no need for a separate menu item at all. I'll update when I get through it.

Also, the option can be turned on and off using the Extensions (in Preferences) dialog, or a Toolbar button. Enabled you get a Name: prompt, disabled you get the normal Make Group.

[watkins]

Dear Jim,

Excellent news! I do not know why this not a feature of native SU as one needs to name groups if one is to use Outliner effectively.

Remember, weekends are also for relaxing.

Kind regards,
Bob

[JClements]

Hi Jim,

I've been using the newer edition for a while now. One thing I wish could be done is have the option to cut and paste a name from the drop-down list into the entry box and then modify the name. Or, perhaps, there could be another box in which the drop-down selection is automatically pasted so it could then be modified?

Finally, I believe you have to add a space to "clear" group's existing name, is that correct? Would a "remove name" in the drop-down list (at the top or bottom of it) be helpful?

John

[watkins]

Dear John,

I think that Jim is revisiting the script. As I wrote before, I should like to see a group's name disappear automatically from the list when a group is deleted.

Regards,
Bob

[Jim]

Would anyone be terribly disappointed if it only worked for top-level Groups? Meaning, it wouldn't work if you created a group inside another Group?

[watkins]

Dear Jin,

That would be a big advance. I take it that you've hit a brick wall with the more sophisticated version.

Regards,
Bob

[Jim]

Dear Jin,

That would be a big advance. I take it that you've hit a brick wall with the more sophisticated version.

Regards,
Bob

I'm just being lazy.