[Plugin] Shape Bender Beta

Gaieus

Hi Jonathan (and welcome),

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

jrtaylor6

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

TIG

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...

jrtaylor6

Yes it was easier on PC so i switch to that.. I extracted all the files to the plugin file, and I got an error. This is what it said Error Loading File clf_shape_bender_loader.rb
no such file to load -- progressbar.rb

Dave R

So install progressbar.rb as indicated in the 6th line of the original post.

And, for future reference, it is worthwhile reading all of the original post in an thread before downloading plugins. They usually full of useful information.

TIG

IF you report the original error message in the first place we could help you more promptly
Please read the tool's instructions, follow them and then report errors after that [if any]

jrtaylor6

Im sorry man Im just new to sketchup and Im trying to figure everything out..

Dave R

So did installing progressbar.rb fix your problem?

TIG

Please report if the suggested fix resolves your issue...
Without feedback we are unsure if what we suggest works.........

ellen_leung

thanks so much! i tried, very easy and very useful!

clovis

HI everyone

I really appreciate all the work done for those amazing plugins , but i have some problems using Shape bender :

installation went fine but when it comes to ebnding and object it doesn t work , explanation :

I select a group (ok ) BUT THEN when it comes to select a line i have drawn on the side of that object , a window appears telling me [please select a straight line ] or [ select a line on the red axis ] .... and my line is straight And on the red axis !

could anyone help me out?

Thanks

Dave R

John,

Is the line you are selecting part of the group? If so, that would explain the message. The line must be outside the group for it to work.

In this image the line is being selected. The component to be bent is above it.

clovis

the line is outside the group .

Mostly sketchup tells me [ please select a line that is on the red axis ]

what may i do ??

clovis

and it does not work even if my line is on the red axis ...

TIG

You need three things to use the tool
A Group or Component-instance.
A Line drawn along the red-axis to determine the extent of the actions.
A Curve [e.g. an Arc] - this is often drawn to have similar extents as the Line [but not necessarily].

Preselect the Group/Component.
Run the tool and follow the prompts.
Pick the Line.
Pick the Curve.
Toggle the 'Ends' using the Arrow-Keys etc as prompted etc...

Dave R

TIG beat me to it. Can you post a screen shot of what you're trying to do?

clovis

@tig said:

You need three things to use the tool
A Group or Component-instance.
A Line drawn along the red-axis to determine the extent of the actions.
A Curve [e.g. an Arc] - this is often drawn to have similar extents as the Line [but not necessarily].

Preselect the Group/Component.
Run the tool and follow the prompts.
Pick the Line.
Pick the Curve.
Toggle the 'Ends' using the Arrow-Keys etc as prompted etc...[attachment=0:rnii52fu]Capture.PNG[/attachment:rnii52fu]

I EXACTLY DO AS YOU SHOW ... but Can t select the "lone line on the red axis" , as sketchup does not notice it .. always the same error message

I might try to re instal the plug in ...

TIG

The Lone Line on the Red Axis must be exactly that.
It cannot be connected to other things ???
The cursor changes to a ___ to show it needs a line...

Chris Fullmer

Also, it only works on the original red axis. So if you have changed your world axis, you will need to reset it. To do this, right click on one of the axis lines and choose "Reset". That should re-align it to the world axis. Perhaps that is cause of the problems. Let us know how it goes. Also, if none of this works, you can also upload your model, or a small portion of it here so we can test it. Thanks!

Chris

Gaieus

I think the best is to use this plugin in and "empty" file. f you make a component of what you want to bend then align the component axes according how the plugin should work then you can right click > save as... and open the new file, you can experiment without any risk then when done, in the original model, right click again and "reload".