[Plugin] Extrude Edges by Rails

TIG · 28 Jan 2010, 13:19

@Tig
Does it normal than profile don't touch to the created surface?

No, it's not normal. The profiles and rails should always be coincident with the mesh's edges IF they have common end vertices. The rials always touch - the profiles might not if they don't join onto the rails ??? ...

TIG · 28 Jan 2010, 16:12

@unknownuser said:

So this is a valid or not choice of curves?

Yes BUT because the Profile is take from a Rail end to a Rail end it will look like this, as if you had drawn the arch-profile across the ends...

pilou · 28 Jan 2010, 16:44

So this is a valid or not choice of curves?

pilou · 28 Jan 2010, 16:47

How do make for have "shadow" under the Profile line?

jeff hammond · 28 Jan 2010, 16:55

@unknownuser said:

How do make for have "shadow" under the Profile line?

pilou · 28 Jan 2010, 17:12

THX! The Duhduh of the day! Never used!

balloon · 1 Feb 2010, 21:02

Fantastic plugin! Thank you very much!!

DareDevil · 17 Feb 2010, 13:53

Hello...
First of all, is the first time I post here, so I want to thanks TIG and all for these fabulous SU plugs that expend SU possibilities !!!

So, I use EEbyrails and other EE (and other plugs) for non standard architectural modeling. I use some other soft (MoI, Rhino, C4D, Revit...) but I want to use SU cause is the simply free way to teach 3D modeling to my students.

But, when I try to make a free profile helix EEbyrails have some problems :

http://d2design.free.fr/perso/helix.skp

If I to with helix as rails, some profiles are 180° rotated (I can manualy rotate to have the good result), an if I use the NURBS as rails, the profile is not the same along the helix.

Is it a bug or a problem with my model ?

pilou · 17 Feb 2010, 16:05

I will say your curves but don't know why!

Ps Post also on the French forum
Go to your tab Private messages then Tab Users group then enable that you want

helix.skp

DareDevil · 18 Feb 2010, 00:20

I tried with your file Pilou, and no problem
I dont know how you made your helix. Mine was made with dynamic componant with a single point inside, copied with some sin and cos formula in the X an Y value, and manualy joined with line finaly welded. This way to draw the helix perhaps cause the bug ?

I also tried with odd number of point in the helix, so no point at 180° to the start position, and all it's ok.
So I know how manualy fix the problem

PS@Pilou : Damned ! you know I'm french !

TIG · 18 Feb 2010, 10:00

Sometimes curves are 'muddled' in the database and then exploding and remaking them, or cutting and paste_in_place or grouping and exploding them fixes this type of bug.
However, I tried exploding the curves and remade them with little improvement - same or very similar problems.
It seems to be a shortcoming of the script.
At least you know how to work around it - just pick different pairs of profiles and rails to get what you want.
I can't immediately see what's causing the problem - the algorithm for working out which end is next to which is quite convoluted as there are many permutations...
BUT it's puzzling as seems to work initially whichever order you pick in, but falls apart in some case at some points along the curve ???
The spiraling helix must make a few of the points rotated by 180 degrees too much/little in certain locations around the rails - It's probably fixable, but so rare it's not been reported before...
I'll look at it...

TIG · 18 Feb 2010, 12:43

A new version is now available here http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=217663#p217663 which fixes the helical rail glitch that was reported...

DareDevil · 18 Feb 2010, 17:43

It's working ! Thanks you TIG !

TIG · 20 Feb 2010, 17:11

Tool has been updated
2.9 20100220 Color coding of picked curves added.
Profile=Cyan
Rail1=Magenta
Rail2=DarkVioletRed
MeldingProfile=DarkCyan
See here for download link http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=201286#p201286

stefx · 22 Mar 2010, 20:27

Hi,
I have missed the website for a bit and I see this wonderful plugin!
I was waiting for that since long time....for many shapes i was still using rhino's tool:sweep2rails.
I am going to play with that but I want to ask:
I create due rails e my curve profile and it works well, but if I would like just a line rather than a curve....it looks like an error.
Sorry probably i have to read better, anyone has a simple answer?

thank you.

stefx · 22 Mar 2010, 21:31

I am still trying...but not results...
When i try to select a simple line rather than a curve (just the first step before the selection of the 2 rails), it is impossible to select anything, but if i draw a curve it wors immediately.
It looks like strange!
I know....it is a stupid error by me!

pilou · 22 Mar 2010, 21:41

I calll the plug then click a "line" first: no problem

Sure! you have not divided it!!! 'see my previous post!
A simple line not divided can't be selected !

xrok1 · 22 Mar 2010, 21:55

i've even downloaded the example file and the latest .zip and i still can't get this to work. the lines change colors, i get all the dialog boxes reverse...etc, but no result.

stefx · 22 Mar 2010, 22:08

Thank you very much Pilou!
Job Done!
I needed so much that script working well because i need to create something like that:

I have seen something similar in this topic.
I need 2 different spiral curve and then a surface that run through the 2 spirals.
Any tips?

pilou · 22 Mar 2010, 22:18

No problem
Draw your 2 helix curves and just one "divided line"
Call the plug, CLick the line, CLick curve rail 1, click curve rail 2, click again the line!

I suggest you to draw just one module then make a group or a component then copy past it!