SketchUp Ruby

Ruby is a popular scripting language that was first introduced (to Sketchup) in SketchUp 4. Since its introduction SketchUp users have shown their creativity by creating hundreds of useful tools. The SketchUp Ruby Forum is the place where all SketchUp Ruby developers & users share their ideas on SketchUp Ruby [http://www.sketchup.com/?sid=79 SketchUp Website]

Ruby Application Programming Interface (API)

SketchUp contains a Ruby application programming interface (API) for users who are familiar with (or want to learn) Ruby scripting and want to extend the functionality of SketchUp. This interface allows users to create macros, such as automated component generators and additional tools, to be included in the menus within SketchUp. In addition to the API, SketchUp also includes a Ruby console, which is an environment where you can experiment with Ruby commands and methods. [SketchUp Ruby Documentation Page 1.]

Learning Ruby & The SketchUp API

A good place to start learning the SketchUp API is to read the SketchUp Ruby Documentation which is online at the following location.
* [http://download.sketchup.com/OnlineDoc/gsu6_ruby/Docs/index.html "SketchUp Ruby API Deveoper's Guide"]

You can also find good sources of Ruby instruction at the following places:
* [http://www.ruby-doc.org/docs/ProgrammingRuby Online "Programming Ruby"]
* [http://www.ruby-doc.org/docs/UsersGuide/rg/ The online "Ruby user's guide"]
* [http://www.ruby-doc.org/docs/Tutorial/ "Introduction to Ruby"]

Tutorials

There are a number of SketchUp Ruby Tutorials on the SuWiki:
* [http://suwiki.org/suwiki/index.php?title=Category:Ruby_Tutorials Ruby Tutorials]

Ruby SketchUp Experiments

A number of interesting Ruby SketchUp experiments are currently in the development stage. [ [http://labs.plugins.ro labs.plugins.ro ] ]

* SUAVE - SketchUp Audio Video Experiments
* SketchUp Bridge - Allows external Ruby code to be executed inside SketchUp (Windows only)
* SketchUp Web Macro Editor (not available yet but under development)
* SUDLL - A project to extend the full power of Windows dialog boxes in their SketchUp applications * [http://www.suwiki.org/suwiki/index.php?title=Ruby_Tutorial_-_Dialog_Boxes_and_WIN32API_%28Advanced%29 Tutorial Available]

External Resources

* [http://sketchucation.com/forums/scf/ SCF - Sketchup Community Forums]
* [http://forum.sketchup.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4 Official Ruby SketchUp Forum]
* [http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/RUBY_Library_Depot.htm SketchUp Ruby Library Depot Didier Bur's website for all free SketchUp plugins released]
* [http://www.smustard.com SketchUp Scripts - Free and "pay per script" site]
* [http://www.errorinitus.de Some free Sketchup Scripts]
* [http://www.suwiki.org SketchUp Wiki - contains information on SketchUp scripts]
* [http://labs.plugins.ro/ SketchUp Ruby Experiments]
* [http://www.scriptspot.com/sketchup-main ScriptSpot - A community scripting resource where you can find, rate, comment and blog about SketchUp scripts]

References

ee also

*SketchUp