SketchUp Ruby API

Ruby
1

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 ([email protected]) 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.cfcl.com/rdm Rich M.
http://www.cfcl.com/rdm/resume [email protected]
http://www.cfcl.com/rdm/weblog +1 650-873-7841

Technical editing and writing, programming, and web development

2

On May 15, 11:04 am, Rich M. [email protected] 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 Q.:
http://phrogz.net/RubyLibs/rdoc/classes/Sketchup/Geodesic.html

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 :slight_smile:

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

3

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.

4

On 5/15/07, Rich M. [email protected] 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.

To quote you, here’s a link to a depot of Ruby/Sketchup scripts:
http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/RUBY_Library_Depot.htm

Thanks for that!

5

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-classes.html

See also [email protected]

-r

http://www.cfcl.com/rdm Rich M.
http://www.cfcl.com/rdm/resume [email protected]
http://www.cfcl.com/rdm/weblog +1 650-873-7841

Technical editing and writing, programming, and web development