[Plugin] Torus 1.0

Regular Polygon · 23 Jul 2010, 01:53

Hi folks,

I couldn't resist one more plugin for creating simple shapes. This is an easy to use plugin that draws a torus. You just go to the menu item Draw -> Torus, enter the parameters in a dialog box, and place the newly created component in the model. You could draw a torus with the SketchUp Follow Me Tool, but it would take 5 minutes instead of 5 seconds.

This plugin will also draw a "twisted torus". OK, I made up the name. But it is the shape you would get if you could cut the tube, twist the ends, and glue them back together. To see the twist, the tube needs to have a polygonal cross section. But, you can control this aspect of the geometry by specifying just a few latitude lines for the torus.

The examples above use a square torus. It is square because the tube has four latitude lines (the creased edges), with four sides (surfaces) in between, so the cross section is a square. The torus on the upper left has no twist. The next has one twist; if you follow one side around the torus, you will end up on the adjacent side after one revolution. The next torus has two twists, and so on, up to five twists.

You can have any number of sides and twists. In the example above, the torus has 12 sides, and 12 twists, so each side reconnects with itself after one revolution.

There is more documentation on the usage for this plugin, and a link to download it, here: regularpolygon.org/plugins/torus.php .

Thanks

jason_maranto · 23 Jul 2010, 02:17

I really dig all your plugins... but this one is unexpectedly cool.

Best,
Jason.

boofredlay · 23 Jul 2010, 02:52

Cheers.

d12dozr · 23 Jul 2010, 05:56

Sweet shapes, I would think geometry teachers would like this.

RP, how about a fractal generating plugin? ...you know, just for kicks

shoeb_cars · 23 Jul 2010, 05:57

this plugin of yours is gonna make someone's life so damn easier.....i mean sketchup life..
cheers bro

notareal · 23 Jul 2010, 06:41

Sure, I can find a use for this. Thanks!

massimo · 23 Jul 2010, 06:46

Thanks once again

meak · 23 Jul 2010, 08:05

genius! big thanks

pilou · 23 Jul 2010, 08:24

Geometric!
Surface without edges

Burkhard · 23 Jul 2010, 09:43

I need 12 second for a round torus with dimensions but your twisted torus is genius

Ben Ritter · 23 Jul 2010, 15:23

Thank you very much!

Regular Polygon · 23 Jul 2010, 20:33

Thanks a lot everyone for all your positive feedback.

@d12dozr said:

RP, how about a fractal generating plugin? ...you know, just for kicks

That's an idea. I can't think of anymore simple shapes to draw. Definitely would be just for fun.

simon le bon · 23 Jul 2010, 22:03

Hi Regular!

Are you going to join the happy few set list of the ruby masters ?
I didn't know today this plugin was existing. It is a new member : Arc who have told us about it regarding to an exercise we try to soluce.
Your Torus plugin make things too much easy (bad for the exercise ). Thank you for sharing