[Plugin] Shape Bender Beta

azarkesh · 1 Nov 2010, 07:51

I am a mac user and a newbie to SU. I really want to use your bending script on mac. Is that possible. I have SU version 8 running on mac.

MANY THANKS

Gaieus · 1 Nov 2010, 08:34

Certainly it's possible. Are you having any issues when installing/using it?

gilles · 1 Nov 2010, 09:05

a very easy way to screw any face:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=15784#p122571

david_h · 1 Nov 2010, 14:24

do ya think you might wanna rephrase that?

GMellow · 7 Nov 2010, 21:47

Hi. I'm trying to bend a helix into following a 3 dimensional path...

I built the helix with the helix plugin
I created the set up for Shape bender; Select shape (helix). select line, and select 3D path.

Seems to hang up...???? I get a progress bar: 1%. Expected End Time:?(1 of 1) 1200 test points.

Do I need to keep my paths to two dimensions?

Any assist appreciated.

maurotekten · 9 Nov 2010, 18:28

I'm not able to let it work!! maybe for the folder!!! the bar was loaded, but it doesn't work selecting the firt line and the second arc!!

IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

derei · 21 Nov 2010, 00:48

Problems with SU8 ? It stucks at some point. After selecting both straight line and curve, it says 1% End @ (1 of 5) Searching for objects to explode.
And the progress bar is doing nothing.

Chris Fullmer · 21 Nov 2010, 07:31

That sounds like you have an old copy of Component Spray installed - it was causing clashes and this is generally the error given. Please look for the component spray plugin on this forum, re-download and install. It should fix shape bender. Thanks!

Chris

jorge.cubells · 30 Nov 2010, 19:47

Thank you for this useful script.

How can I solve this error: Error: #<TypeError: Cannot set the length of a zero length vector)>

Probably it is related to the curved line I am using.
Some parts of my model <bend> in each direction, as in the picture.
No group is created after pressing Enter.
(I have no component spray script installed).

If someday there is a pro (paid) version of this scrip, here are some ideas:

be able to UNbend a profile.
be able to calculate the bend gains (as explained in next link)
http://groups.google.com/group/sketchup-how-to/browse_thread/thread/3c36eba7f4346c99/6e7fef649bcf3e4b?pli=1

http://www.sheetmetalguy.com/k-factor.htm

Again, thank you Chris for this useful plugin

Dave R · 30 Nov 2010, 19:53

I can't tell from your screen shot but I wonder if you have the "curve" laying down on the ground plane or is it standing up. If it is standing up vertical to the ground plane, that would explain why it isn't working for you.

Chris Fullmer · 30 Nov 2010, 20:20

I also can't quite tell what the image is showing. Mind uploading the model?

chris

hellnbak · 1 Dec 2010, 05:19

This is my first try using Shape Bender, usually I use Radial Bending. As you can see, the results are less than what I was expecting

I don't know where the phantom green shape is coming from, or why the object is extruding to that instead of the desired red shape. Any suggestions?

jorge.cubells · 1 Dec 2010, 06:08

@dave r said:

I can't tell from your screen shot but I wonder if you have the "curve" laying down on the ground plane or is it standing up. If it is standing up vertical to the ground plane, that would explain why it isn't working for you.

The curve is in the blue-red plane. It works with the curve on the left, but not with the profile curve on the right.

Here is a new picture and the model.

Thank you both,
Jorge.

prueba.skp

Chris Fullmer · 1 Dec 2010, 07:40

@hellnbak - the green shape is the preview of what Shape bender is planning on doing. It is trying to show you what it came up with on its own.

I think the problem in your case is that Shape Bender really like the curve shape to lie flat on the ground (with certain exceptions). But in this case, I kind of think that if you rotate the bend to lie on its side, and the floormat to lie on its side, then try it again, you might get a better result.

If all else failes, you can always upload the model here and I'll look at it.

Chris

Chris Fullmer · 1 Dec 2010, 07:52

@jorge, looking at your model, I think I got a good result from it. Please download my model and look at it. I flipped the component up, and then moved the line to be directly under it. Shape bender will offset the final shape from the bending shape by the same distance that the component is offset from the straight line. So since you want to bend exactly to the shape of the bent shape, then the component needs to be directly on top of the straight line.

I can make a video that explains it better if the model came out right.

Hope it helped,

Chris

Dave R · 1 Dec 2010, 11:22

I didn't have any trouble with the GTO mat. See here: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=33033&p=291297#p291297

jorge.cubells · 1 Dec 2010, 12:52

@chris fullmer said:

@jorge, looking at your model, I think I got a good result from it. Please download my model and look at it. I flipped the component up, and then moved the line to be directly under it. Shape bender will offset the final shape from the bending shape by the same distance that the component is offset from the straight line. So since you want to bend exactly to the shape of the bent shape, then the component needs to be directly on top of the straight line.

I can make a video that explains it better if the model came out right.

Hope it helped,

Chris

Thank you, Dave and Chris.

It works when the curve is parallel to the green-red plane (see snapshot).

But, why the curve on the left (parallel to the blue-red plane) did work?

The second and third pictures might give you a clue:
if the curve has angles > 90 degrees it bends ok.
Ignores if angles = 90 deg.
And changes directions if < 90.

My problem is solved. I will flip up the entire model (as it should have always been). Thanks again.

Chris Fullmer · 1 Dec 2010, 16:57

Hi Jorge, I hope yougot it all sorted out (sorry I forgot to upload my model!). Yes, flipping up on its end is the solution. It is all in the way Shape bender works. You have to realize shape bender is only the 3rd or 4th piece of code I've ever really written. So it is pretty good, but it is not as smart as it could be. There are certain things it was designed to do a certain way. I wrote it to wrap text onto the face of a curved wall. So it always expects the curve to lie flat on the ground. Even if you're curve is should stand up, you need to rotate it to lie flat on the ground. Lots of the logic behind how shape bender bends things is actually based on a 2d groundplane. It can handle 3dpaths sometimes, but it really is meant for 2d bending.

Maybe the Pro version someday will be a bit more intelligent on how to follow any given bending path.

Chris

recepkum · 1 Dec 2010, 20:33

i have a problem with the tool. the bar was loaded, but it doesn't work selecting the first line and the second arc!! when selecting the group, then i click the shape bender tool but there must be a line appear under the arrow. but not.

what is the problem?

the error in ruby console

Error: #<TypeError: no implicit conversion from nil to integer>
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender.rb:168:in set_cursor' C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender.rb:168:in onSetCursor'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender.rb:176:in `onMouseMove'
C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender.rb:168

mc3ledonia · 13 Dec 2010, 20:43

I am just having a small problem. I only looked back a few pages, but I didn't see anybody else with the same issue. Basically, after selecting the line and curve, shapebender doesn't do anything. It puts the start/end on both ends of the line and curve, but wont bend the shape. The shape is a basic rectangular prism and is a component. Hopefully I am not overlooking a basic step!