[Plugin] Shape Bender Beta

Chris Fullmer · 21 Dec 2010, 01:09

Hi there, sorry your post took so long to get approved. I think we (the moderators) are on vacation mode a little. We try to get them approved quickly, but today it is taking a quite a few hours.

Well, I am not exactly sure what the problem is. Do you have an image to describe it? My guess is that you are experienceing a known fault with the plugin. It does not bend the first and last segments the same amount as the rest of the segments in the curve. It does this for a few technical reasons - sometiems it is the correct bending solution. But sometimes it is not. So if you post a picture of what you are experiencing, I'll look at it and I'll tell you if it is this same problem. IF it is, there is a bit of a workaround you can try that includes adding an extra segment to the arc in the beginning and the end.

Chris

PS I'm on vacation until Jan 3rd, so I might be slow-ish to respond.

diacovoni · 22 Dec 2010, 16:41

I think I figured it out. My text was already rotated vertically on the wall. I read some previous posts where it indicated the script was based on the horizontal red green axis. I placed my text flat on the ground and then had no problem with the curve. All I needed to do after that was rotate it vertically to place on the wall.

Thanks for the response. Hope this helps others in the same situation.

diacovoni

xtr3mx7 · 24 Dec 2010, 04:10

Hello, I am a new user and while running the script, I am not able to select any line, be it single straight or curve.

Pls find below the ruby console output:


Error; #<TypeError; can't convert nil into String>
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;161;in `create_cursor'
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;161;in `make_cursors'
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;131;in `activate'
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;1017;in `select_tool'
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;1017

Thanks in advance.

TIG · 24 Dec 2010, 12:30

@xtr3mx7 said:

Hello, I am a new user and while running the script, I am not able to select any line, be it single straight or curve.

Pls find below the ruby console output:


> Error; #<TypeError; can't convert nil into String>
> C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;161;in `create_cursor'
> C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;161;in `make_cursors'
> C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;131;in `activate'
> C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;1017;in `select_tool'
> C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Tools/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;1017
>

Thanks in advance.

It seems it's not finding ../Plugins/clf_shape_bender/curve_pointer.png - you should have these files in the 'clf_shape_bender' subfolder inside Plugins...

arjunmax09 · 25 Dec 2010, 12:12

Hello everyone..
I'm using Google SketchUp Pro 8 . I am unable to make a ramp using shape bender that is 34 metres long and has 1:10 slope. The Shape Bender doesn't bend the ramp as expected. I've attached a video and a model of the ramp.

Ramp problem.rar

numbthumb · 25 Dec 2010, 13:00

How about this?

Dave R · 25 Dec 2010, 13:08

Arjun,

I think the problem comes in that there needs to be some distortion in the top surface which shape Bender doesn't do. I think NumbThumb's suggestion is a good one. I did it manually because I wanted to see how the shape develops but I think the plugin would be much faster.

Is this what you want as a result?

arjunmax09 · 26 Dec 2010, 13:53

@dave r said:

Is this what you want as a result?

yes i want a ramp like this only..is the edge on the end coming out to be 3.4 metres in height??

Dave R · 26 Dec 2010, 14:00

Yes, it is the same height as the straight ramp you had drawn in the file.

It's on my computer at home and I'm not there at the moment. I could send it to you or post it when I get back.

arjunmax09 · 27 Dec 2010, 17:06

but isn't there an effective way to make the ramp i'm making using shapebender??

xtr3mx7 · 7 Jan 2011, 01:48

Thank you TIG for providing the solution. The plugin now works perfectly

This is indeed a very great script. Big cheers to Chris

unclex · 21 Jan 2011, 11:50

thanx this wonderful Plugin

but it can not work with TIG's [HolePunchTool] Plugin, if punch was loaded, run Bender, SU would Crashed...

TIG · 21 Jan 2011, 12:54

@unclex said:

thanx this wonderful Plugin
but it can not work with TIG's [HolePunchTool] Plugin, if punch was loaded, run Bender, SU would Crashed...

I am working on it...

unclex · 21 Jan 2011, 14:21

@tig said:

@unclex said:

thanx this wonderful Plugin
but it can not work with TIG's [HolePunchTool] Plugin, if punch was loaded, run Bender, SU would Crashed...

I am working on it...

ThanX

TIG · 21 Jan 2011, 14:37

There's an updated version of the HolePunch tool available that avoids this clash...
see here for details http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=302853#p302853
and the zip's download is here http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=271170#p271170

fuzzion · 21 Jan 2011, 15:35

@ben ritter said:

Chris, I can hardly keep up with your wonderful scripts. Most importantly though, you are very much appreciated for your kindness to the SU community.

Very well said.

Excellent plugin.

jrtaylor6 · 22 Jan 2011, 18:53

After I download how to I make it work on sketchup?

Gaieus · 22 Jan 2011, 19:06

Hi Jonathan (and welcome),

Did you watch the video in the first post, It pretty much explains everything.

jrtaylor6 · 22 Jan 2011, 19:24

Yeah i watch them. I dont have the tab that has plugins on it.

TIG · 22 Jan 2011, 21:10

@jrtaylor6 said:

Yeah i watch them. I dont have the tab that has plugins on it.

You mustn't have installed the files properly...
It's a zip file... you must extract the files/folders from it into your ../Plugins/ folder... Please reread the instructions for the script installation and report back...

PS: I see you are a MAC user...
Type this into Window > Ruby Console
Sketchup.find_support_file('Plugins')
it shows where you should install your Plugins...
it IS easier on a PC as there is only one option...