A bundle to make GDL available in Sublime Text.
GDL means 'Geometric Description Language'. ArchiCAD uses it to define a library part.
Many ArchiCAD users are making their own library parts, sell them or even publish them for free on sites like BIMComponents, while others might modify the provided ones. But they are all tied to the – unfortunately horrible – build-in object editor which is stuck in the 80's or so. It doesn't even have line numbers!
But the rescue is here! (at least something like that)
The purpose of this package is to give you the chance to comfortably write code in the best editor of the galaxy – Sublime Text.
This package provides syntax highlighting with a well aligned color scheme (so the syntax highlighting can take it's glorious place) and also auto completion (can be forced by pressing ctrl + space).
recommended
If you are using Sublime Package Control, you can easily install the bundle via the Sublime Text -> Preferences > Package Control: Install Package menu item.
Alternatively you can install the bundle and keep up to date by cloning the repo directly into your Packages directory in the Sublime Text application settings area.
Go to your Sublime Text Packages directory and clone the repository using the command below:
git clone https://github.com/runxel/GDL-sublime "GDL"
not recommended – you won't get updates!
- Download the files using the GitHub .zip download option
- Unzip the files and rename the folder to 'GDL'
- Copy the folder to your Sublime Text
Packagesdirectory e.g.- Windows
C:\Users\yourname\AppData\Roaming\Sublime Text 2\Packages\GDL - OS X:
~/Library/Application Support/Sublime Text 2/Packages/GDL
- Windows
From now on you can select GDL as the current language in the bottom right corner of ST and enjoy all the benefits ST brings.
But wait! There's more!
You should activate a color scheme (meaning proper highlighting) by modifying the syntax specific preferences file.
First set the syntax to GDL for the current file, then proceed to Preferences > Settings – Syntax Specific(or Preferences > Settings – More > Syntax Specific – User if youre using an older version of Sublime Text).
There are 2 different color schemes at choice: A dark and a light one. I muchly recommend the dark one for fatigue-proof coding. If you're more the traditional architect the light scheme might be your choice ;)
Copy one of these into the new file and save:
{
"color_scheme": "Packages/GDL/GDL-dark.sublime-color-scheme"
}{
"color_scheme": "Packages/GDL/GDL-light.sublime-color-scheme"
}
Don't worry. Go to the ththeme-editor and select one of the two themes as start and make one which satisfies you! (Note that the theme-editor of course has no preview for gdl code, so it's just direct scope color editing.)
See the Wiki for a list with the scopes so you can refine the scheme to suit your needs.
Of course you could also edit the .thTheme files directly. Remember to copy and rename the provided one. Otherwise an update would overwrite your changes.
You may have to force the auto completion via ctrl + space.
I have included some sample snippets. Try it out by typing in: comline and then press TAB ↹.
Voilá! There's a divider.
! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- !
I hardly encourage you to either modify the snippets, so they will suit your needs; or to make new ones.
You will find all the shipped snippets in the Snippets folder.
This Sublime Text package got accompanied by GDLnucleus (Not freeware). GDLnucleus is a assistant program which enables you to send your changes live to ArchiCAD from Sublime Text, instead of relying on copy+paste. It can be understood as a SublimeText-project handler integrated with a link to the LP_XMLConverter, which comes with ArchiCAD. See the page for more details. (Please note: I did not made GDLnucleus.)
New to Sublime? Then I can recommend this excellent and free video tutorial by nettuts: Perfect Workflow in Sublime Text.
If you want to show your appreciation you can get me a 🍻!
