Help Scripting a repetitive process of Exports and View Captures

@corey.hokanson wrote:

Hi everyone!

So, I work with architectural models & Mass Timber components (glu-lams, CLT, MPP, etc). When we get the model dialed in, I export each piece individually so we can create the shop drawings for them. As part of this process, we also “highlight” the selected piece and capture the view, then insert that into the shop drawing for context.

Anyways, I want to script the repetitive portion of that process. Here’s the step-by-step…

0 - For each unique “name” repeat 1-6
1 - Select all instances of parts with the same name
2 - Export selected
-Save to [Proj_dir]/Exports/[PartName]_SD.3DM
-Save without plugin data / textures
3 - Set Display Color (of selected objects) to Red (or other “highlight” color)
4 - Invert Selection
5 - Set Display Color (of selected objects) to Black (or other “neutral” color)
6 - Capture display to file
-Current View
-Transparent Background
-Resolution (viewport)
-Save to [Proj_dir]/Exports/[PartName]_Highlight.png

I’m pretty sure I can create a simple “button” macro for 3-5. Not sure how to include the parameters for 2 or 6. I have absolutely no clue where to start on programmatically looping through all parts in the model (or in certain layers) by name… My programming experience is mostly in Visual Basic / TI Basic. I have familiarity with Java / C++, at least enough to read / check / tweak. I’ve never coded anything for Rhino though.

With all the options, would this be a task best suited for RhinoScript, Python, or Grasshopper? Whichever one, can you help point me in the right direction to start my research / learning on how? I mean, if you can provide code for what I’m looking for that’s awesome too, but I’m mostly interested in learning how to do these things.

Thanks!

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