Is it possible to model this material in sketchup?

jzer7 · 29 Dec 2008, 08:05

@guzman tierno said:

I dont know how to draw a graph in SU.

This might not be exactly what you are looking for, but Jim Foltz wrote a plugin that allows you to generate 2-D graphs in SU. It is called "eq_grapher.rb", and you can get it from the Ruby Library Depot (http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/em_edi_page.htm). The script iterates in x only, but it can be extended to sweep both x and y coordinates or even a parametric variable (look at method self.graph), thus accomplishing what you want.

I took the liberty to modify the script to do this in 3D in case you guys are curious. And here is a sample output.

The script can certainly be improved, but then this might be a subject for the scripting forum

Juan

Ruby Script to produce a crude 3D plot.

kwistenbiebel · 29 Dec 2008, 11:55

Wow, that is a very cool script you made there Juan.

I don't know if there are a lot of Rhino users here, but if Ruby can do 2d/3d graph curves, maybe a graphical algorythm plugin could be made for SU, much like the Grasshopper plugin for Rhino, which is an amazing tool in the right hands and a wonderful solution to do parametric organic architecture.

The cool thing about Grasshopper is that you are doing 'non destructive' modeling, meaning that your organic skyscraper can be controlled by changing parameters (for instance a 2D vector image to control openings in your facades etc...)
Link:http://grasshopper.rhino3d.com/

guzman tierno · 5 Jan 2009, 20:33

Wow jzer7, that's actually a very cool script, thanks.

jzer7 · 6 Jan 2009, 01:22

Thanks.

I forgot to mention, I put a better version of it in the Scripting forum (Plugin - Surface Plotter). Among other things it fills in the surfaces bounded by the lines. I am also working on a plugin that can do parametric surfaces (like spheres, spirals, etc.)