Face Sun Plug-in

TIG

Would also need a Shadow observer to update when as the Sun changes.

That's assuming it was to auto-update its orientation - otherwise a one-off - 'set_the_face_to_look_at_the_sun_now' tool would simply reorient the face to look direct at the current sun's position - but if the sun moved the face wouldn't ?

thomthom

I got the impression live update was part of the request.

@construsol said:

. It would work like the existing feature "Face Camera"

But if a one of adjustment is all that is needed then it'd simply things - avoiding pesky observers.

TIG

With it auto-updating via 'pesky observers' you would get a weird model, with things turning to the sun as it changed between scenes like a time-lapse movie of flowers ??? Better, but much more convoluted code-wise...

facer

The SunTools plugin by Guedi Capeluto has a feature called "Sun View"
which gives an axonometric view from the Sun.

construsol

Hi Thomthom:

Live update is not needed, just make a plane face to a direction in which the sun would be in a specific date and time, and keep that orientation fixed even if the sun starts to move.

@thomthom said:

I got the impression live update was part of the request.

@construsol said:

. It would work like the existing feature "Face Camera"

But if a one of adjustment is all that is needed then it'd simply things - avoiding pesky observers.

thomthom

Made a quick plugin: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=27499

Gaieus

I have also seen a dynamic component of a solar panel that followed the sun.

thomthom

Yea - good point. Though I never manage to find it when I want to use it as an example...

construsol

Thank you very much, this is just what I needed with the "Face Sun" Plug-in. I tested it by putting a perpendicular line to the plane that is facing the sun and it does not cast shadows, so it looks that it works great. One question, ¿How can a plane of a cube be selected and then the entire cube, not just the plane, faces the sun? Thanks again.

@thomthom said:

Made a quick plugin: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=27499

Gaieus

@thomthom said:

Yea - good point. Though I never manage to find it when I want to use it as an example...

I got it - posted here:

Subject: Solar panels that track the sun

@dsarchs said:

The solar panel is under the "solar panel" tab for this component

thomthom

@construsol said:

Thank you very much, this is just what I needed with the "Face Sun" Plug-in. I tested it by putting a perpendicular line to the plane that is facing the sun and it does not cast shadows, so it looks that it works great. One question, ¿How can a plane of a cube be selected and then the entire cube, not just the plane, faces the sun? Thanks again.

@thomthom said:

Made a quick plugin: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=27499

I could make it orient the connected geometry to the selected faces. Doubt I have time until after the weekend though.

construsol

Thom:

I would greatly appreciate it if you can do this. Thanks again for your help.

@thomthom said:

@construsol said:

Thank you very much, this is just what I needed with the "Face Sun" Plug-in. I tested it by putting a perpendicular line to the plane that is facing the sun and it does not cast shadows, so it looks that it works great. One question, ¿How can a plane of a cube be selected and then the entire cube, not just the plane, faces the sun? Thanks again.

@thomthom said:

Made a quick plugin: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=27499

I could make it orient the connected geometry to the selected faces. Doubt I have time until after the weekend though.