Bulk Export - SketchUp Models to .DAE

# SketchUp Tags Batch Exporter -> DAE (Collada)

# Non-destructive approach: isolate visibility per Tag, export full model each time.

#

# Notes:

# - Works well with nested groups/components because Tag visibility affects containers.

# - DAE retains unit metadata better than OBJ in many downstream pipelines.

# - Requires SketchUp Pro for DAE export.

model = Sketchup.active_model

tags  = model.layers # "Tags" in UI, "layers" in API

# ----------------------------

# Helpers

# ----------------------------

def sanitize_filename(name)

  cleaned = name.to_s.strip

  cleaned = "Untagged" if cleaned.empty?

  cleaned.gsub(/[:"\/\\|?*\x00-\x1F]/, "_")

end

def safe_set_tag_visibility(tag, visible)

  tag.visible = visible

rescue

  # If a tag gets deleted/invalidated for any reason, skip.

end

# ----------------------------

# UI Intro

# ----------------------------

UI.messagebox(

  "Welcome to the 'SketchUp Tags Batch Exporter to .DAE Files'!\n\n" \

  "What it does:\n" \

  "• Exports one .dae per Tag by isolating Tag visibility.\n" \

  "• Non-destructive: no exploding, no deleting.\n" \

  "• Works with nested groups/components.\n\n" \

  "Before continuing:\n" \

  "• Save your model.\n" \

  "• Ensure you are running SketchUp Pro (DAE export requires Pro).\n",

  MB_OK

)

export_dir = UI.select_directory(title: "Select Export Directory for .dae Files")

if export_dir.nil?

  puts "Export directory selection canceled. Exiting."

  return

end

# ----------------------------

# Snapshot current state

# ----------------------------

tag_list = tags.to_a

original_visibility = {}

tag_list.each { |t| original_visibility[t] = t.visible? }

# Some display options can affect what "visible" geometry gets exported depending on workflow.

# We preserve and restore them.

render_opts = model.rendering_options

original_hidden_geometry = render_opts["DisplayHiddenGeometry"]

original_hidden_objects  = render_opts["DrawHidden"]

original_section_planes  = render_opts["DisplaySectionPlanes"]

original_section_cuts    = render_opts["DisplaySectionCuts"]

# Optional: prevent hidden geometry/objects from exporting unexpectedly.

# Comment these out if you WANT hidden geometry exported.

render_opts["DisplayHiddenGeometry"] = false

render_opts["DrawHidden"]            = false

# ----------------------------

# Export loop

# ----------------------------

model.start_operation("Batch Export DAEs by Tag", true)

begin

  tag_list.each_with_index do |tag, idx|

    # Isolate: hide all tags then show current tag

    tag_list.each { |t| safe_set_tag_visibility(t, false) }

    safe_set_tag_visibility(tag, true)

    tag_name    = sanitize_filename(tag.name)

    export_path = File.join(export_dir, "#{tag_name}.dae")

    # Keep options minimal for compatibility.

    # SketchUp exporters often ignore unknown keys silently.

    options = {}

    status = model.export(export_path, options)

    if status

      puts "[#{idx + 1}/#{tag_list.length}] Exported: #{tag.name} -> #{export_path}"

    else

      puts "[#{idx + 1}/#{tag_list.length}] FAILED: #{tag.name}"

    end

  end

ensure

  # Restore tag visibility

  original_visibility.each { |t, vis| safe_set_tag_visibility(t, vis) }

  # Restore render options

  render_opts["DisplayHiddenGeometry"] = original_hidden_geometry

  render_opts["DrawHidden"]            = original_hidden_objects

  render_opts["DisplaySectionPlanes"]  = original_section_planes

  render_opts["DisplaySectionCuts"]    = original_section_cuts

  model.commit_operation

end

UI.messagebox(

  "Export completed.\n\n" \

  "• One DAE per Tag has been written to:\n#{export_dir}\n\n" \

  "Your original Tag visibility and view settings were restored.",

  MB_OK

)