[Plugin] Shape Bender Beta
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Chris, thanks so much for the work you've put into this tool. It works very similarly to the Path Deformation modifier in 3ds Max, but is much easier and quicker in SU. I used the shape bender to bend an array of bullnose pool coping and mortar joints around the shape of a pool. It worked like a charm!
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please please if its possible could the script writters who make toolbars have them floating when they first appear! i'm getting soooo tired of rearanging my messed up toolbars its just not funny anymore.
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Sorry xrok, I don't think its possible. I could be wrong, and if I am, I'll fix the script to do that.
@Earthmover, that looks great! That is a good example of where the script is helpful, thanks! In some future iteration of the script, I would like it to be able to work with closed loops, like a pool outline. Then you could easily bend the tiles around in one move.
I also have some plans for a few additional utilities for this tool.
Planned Utilities:
- Scale the line to be the same length as the pre-bent shape
- Scale the shape to be the same length as the line
- Scale both the be the same length as the curve
I see all of these as being additional icons and menu items that can be activated before beginning to bend the shape (getting them to work while the bend tool has been activated already mgiht be tricky because of the shape subdividing that happens. But it might be do-able.).
Anyhow, just some thoughts for the future of the script. Then there is also planar shape bending to try to implement.......
Chris
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For some reason the last version is not working for me. The plugin starts and just stays without bending it. It shows error in console and on progress bar.Attached screen.
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If you have component spray installed, make sure you update it to the newest version:
If not, then it could be another plugin. You might have to go through them to find the offender. Then we can work out a solution hopefully, sorry for the inconvenience Sepo,
Chris
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Chris
I have removed all plugins and it is still showing the error. The funny bit is that I managed to install it on the laptop and it works fine there. -
Chris, maybe your plugin could detect the old version of component spray and alert the users? That might make things easier for you as Component Spray is so widely used, but not necessarily updated.
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@Thom - Thats not a bad idea, I'll have to look into that. That could save some headaches for me and the users.
@Sepo - bummer! Well, one thing we could stil do. The screenshot you provided is missing some of the error messages. Could you try it again on a fresh clean model and open the ruby console before you start the plugin. Then select the shape, then activate the plugin. Then click on the line, then curve. As soon as the error message start coming in, deactivate the tool (or else the message will keep repeating themselves forever!). Then once its de-activated, go tot he console and make it wide and tall and select everything in the console from top to bottom and apste it here.
That is the only thing I can think to try. Then I can see all the errors and maybe one will help.
Chris
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Error: #<ArgumentError: comparison of Float with nil failed>
(eval):44:in>' (eval):44:inupdate'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:533:inexploder' C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:526:ineach'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:526:inexploder' C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:244:inonLButtonUp'
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method/' for nil:NilClass> C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:671:indraw'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:526
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method/' for nil:NilClass> C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:671:indraw'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:671
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method/' for nil:NilClass> C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:671:indraw'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:671
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method/' for nil:NilClass> C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:671:indraw'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 7/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb:671
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method `/' for -
This is what I get and than it start repeating itself
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Thats perfect, thanks! I'll see if I can find the problem there.
Chris
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Hmm, that is a progressbar error. What OS are you running?
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XP
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I have reinstalled progressbar.rb but still same error.
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So Chris. . .I got the new version. Works pretty well. Sorry you were working this weekend on it. I hope you still had time to dye a few Easter Eggs.
Anyway, couple of q's. 1) are there supposed to be more than 1 icon on the toolbar. Seems I downloaded several png's. Edit. . .Oh wait! The other pngs are for the cursor. . .D'uh
2) the original Group doesn't erase. Is that a change with the latest iteration or what? -
Hi David, no worries, I had plenty of Easter egg time. It was a good weekend.
Yes, the original component/group is suppose to stay in place now. That was a recent change.
As for the errors you're getting Sepo, I should be more clear, its not a problem with progressbar. Progressbar is working fine. Its something to do with what I am feeding to progressbar. That has always been an issue with the component spray. Could you try running make faces with the ruby console open and see what happens? If it is also broken, then that will help determine that there is still something somewhere messing with progressbar. Thanks!
Chris
And don't hesitate to tell me you're tired of troubleshooting for me. I gldaly would do it myself if I could reproduce the error, so a great big thanks for all your time Sepo!
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thank
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i'm wondering how difficult it would be to make a ruby that preps an object to be bent. (it could be a part of ShapeBender or separate as it would benefit fredo's bend tool as well)..
it would basically replace the need for doing some repetitive steps in order to set up certain objects to be bent cleanly.. i can achieve the proper shape via math or the more simpler route of SU inferencing but the ruby could work either way (or can it?)
this ruby has already made it a lot faster for me to draw curved shapes because i can do all the prep work on xyz axis and then bend it later.. something with one compound curve used to take me 20-30 minutes to draw and now i can do it in 5-10... introducing yet another curve (2nd attachment collides 3 different radii) used to take me over an hour to draw and i can do that in ~20 minutes now.
my question is whether or not this is out of the scope of a ruby script. ??
so if the first example is possible, how about adding yet another curve into the mix?
curve faced wall with curved topoh, am i the only one noticing a huge slow down with the introduction of the progress bar? certain actions are at least 10,000x slower now.
[edit] also, those examples show the problem with the softened edge when trying to do precision fitting.. i could extend the straight line to get hard ends but then nothing goes in it's right place.
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Chris I am not at my desktop at moment, so I can't really test it. I will test it tomorrow on my desktop. And it is not a problem at all. I am very greatful to you for your wonderful free scripts and if I can help with anything please do not hesitate to ask.
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Sorry Jeff, I just don't see how its possible at all. At least, not so that it would work with any regularity on more than a small handful of objects.
But I do have a question, you say (in another post, and I'm paraphrasing) that the geometry is useless to you the way it currently is working. What are you planning on doing with the geometry after you bend it that makes it so useless?
Chris
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