[Plugin] Slicer v4.3 20110619

TIG

Here is v3.0 of Slicer.rb.

You can now choose / make its Layer on the fly and select any 'Colour'...

Enjoy...

orangutanlibrarian

I am working on a 3D printer so i was thrilled when i found you program. I just wonder if there is a way to save each slice individually?
thanks foe a great program.

TIG

@orangutanlibrarian said:

I am working on a 3D printer so i was thrilled when i found you program. I just wonder if there is a way to save each slice individually?
thanks foe a great program.

I've a new version of Slicer on the back-burner that actually makes the slices as components.
Meanwhile this code snippet will do something for you.
First it converts the slice-groups to component-instances and then it saves them separately as SKPs in a folder called 'Slices' with the Model, each named after "model-name_slice-name.skp"...

def slicerexporter()
  mod=Sketchup.active_model
  pat=mod.path
  (UI.messagebox("Save Model First!");return nil) if pat==''
  sel=mod.selection ### process selection
  gps=[]; sel.each{|e|gps << e if e.class==Sketchup;;Group}
  (UI.messagebox("No Groups Selected!");return nil) if not gps[0]
  fol=File.dirname(pat)
  mna=mod.title
  sfo=File.join(fol,"Slices")
  Dir.mkdir(sfo) if not File.exist?(sfo)
  mod.start_operation("slicerexporter")
  puts "Saving SKPs...\n" 
  gps.each{|grp|
    sleep(1.0)
    nam=grp.name
    ins=grp.to_component
    dfn=ins.definition
    dfn.name=nam
    pat=File.join(sfo, mna+"_"+nam+".skp")
    dfn.save_as(pat)
    puts pat.tr("\\","/")
  }
  sleep(1.0)
  mod.commit_operation ### one step undo group >> compo = 'groups' reverted
  puts "\nDone."
  UI.openURL("file;///"+sfo)
  ### NOTE; Sometimes these SKPs CAN be corruped on save_as ;(
end

Copy+Pase into a file called slicerexporter.rb in Plugins - it should auto-load...
select Slices then in Ruby Console type slicerexporter and watch messages...

Sir

the plugin works great, but the end step is really buggy on my current file, rarely does it give the option to flatten slices for me.

its a large terrain model, 23923 edges, 9696 faces.

its offered to flatten once of ten times or so, and id entered the settings wrong!

any tips on making it work?

thanks TIG!

-edit-
only trying to cut it into 66 slices

infact, it doesnt offer any of the final 3 steps, the xray, hide or flatten options

TIG

Sir

That's still a lot of slices, with complex geometry !
It should always do the steps... BUT obviously it takes ages to process that many slices, and then offer to flatten them.
There are no shortcuts, except waiting....

EDIT: Run it with the Ruby Console open and see if there are any error messages - especially when it gets to the latter stages........

Sir

Error; #<TypeError; reference to deleted Face>
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;454;in `pushpull'
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;454;in `calculate'
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;453;in `each'
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;453;in `calculate'
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;363;in `each'
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;363;in `calculate'
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;804
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;454;in `call'
C;/PROGRA~2/Google/GOOGLE~1/Plugins/Slicer31.rb;454

this was the response

no geom on hidden layers

TIG

OK... sounds like the resulting slices are failing to pushpull because a face isn't 'enduring'...
It's easy enough to trap for that BUT it begs the question - what is the actual problem?

Can you post/PM a zipped version of the surface/volume you want to slice, with some notes about what you want to achieve... and I'll look at it... and report back...

TIG

Here's a new version http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=16689#p16689
Please read the notes - particularly about removing earlier version[s]...
It should now make all slices, even if your 3d form is non-solid and so complex that a meaningful slice cannot be made/faced/extruded; it will no longer stall even if some slices are not made as you might hope... To ensure good results ensure that the form you are slicing is 'solid' or at least simple enough the slice if it's not...
[Sir's recent problem was from an overly complex form... BUT this update does mean that even that doesn't stall part way through the slicing...]

Sir

thanks for updating this fantastic plugin, will give it a whirl now!

TIG

Here's an updated version
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=16689#p16689

An Image export option has been added.
Usage:
Run the main Slicer tool and make your flatten slices set.
Then preselect the 'Flat-Slice-nnnnnnnn' group and type into Ruby Console: Slicer::images
It then makes .png image files of 0.9 quality, with no anti-aliasing, each named after the slice; all within a folder with the model, named 'ModelName-Slice-Images-nnnnnnnn'. All images are made the same size [based on the screen] with the relative size of each slice maintained in the 'pixel sizes', so subsequent auto-cropping of the white-space leaves images that are all 'relatively sized'...
Tip: use a Style with a white '[back]ground', no profiles, no extensions, no endpoints etc so the images are as sharp as possible.

Gschwartz9

Despite studying and testing essentially everything in this thread, I'm unable to accomplish what I need.

I'm laying out laminated flooring in my home. Each laminate plank measures ~ 4"x30"x3/8". I've made a group of the plank.

I need to "saw" the planks to varying lengths, and save the pieces sawed off, minus 1/8" saw kerf. The saved pieces will be used where short pieces are needed on the opposite end of the room.

I'm prepared to give myself a dope slap if I've failed to recognize the solution in this thread.

SU8 Pro, Win7

Gary

TIG

Gschwartz9

I think that Slicer really isn't the tool you want...
You are using groups rather than components which will make editing just one easier...
You simply lay out the first line of planks as you would in real life.
Using Move+Ctrl then Nx to make enough copies off to the right.
The last one will need to be 'cut'.
Copy the last group to the side of itself [Move+Ctrl with snap-points as appropriate].
Now edit that copy and pushpull the end of the copied plank that's inside the room until it is level with the wall/skirting face [or door=threshold etc as appropriate to its location], now you could pushpull it another 1/8" to account for the saw cut [but this level of accuracy is probably unnecessary - I suspect you won't have modeled the rooms skirting trims and left a 1/2" movement gap around the perimeter etc...].
You can also repeat on the last piece in the first line, editing it so the cut of end is no longer there...
Take the 'off-cut' and place it at the left-hand start again, next to the initial piece.
Now place a whole plank to the right of that and repeat the Move+Ctrl then Nx to make enough copies off to the right.
Again the last one will need to be 'cut'.
Repeat the copying it and pushpull the end of the copied plank that's inside the room etc as before.
Keep repeating this until all of the floor is covered.

Note that if you want to have regularly spaced butt-joints, rather than whatever the off-cut gives you [e.g. the planks are 'tile-like' rather than 'wooden-planks'] then you need to mark the tiling repeat as a line in the initial group and slide the off-cut at the restart until it aligns with the mark - if it can't then it's has to be discarded and you use a new plank - if you are trying to stagger the plank ends in alternate rows slide the next start plank to align with a mark - leave the part you'd actually need to cut off sticking into the wall for now... make the run of planks until the last one that needs cutting to fit - if it'd be smaller than the off-cut you would have from the first plank in the lien then you can make the copy of the plank and edit/pushpull that plank and its copy in opposite directions so you have the two pieces... then take the piece current stuck in the wall [I recommend you do this using a 2d copy of the floor plane without the walls to get in your way, or use layers to hide most stuff]... and use that at the right-hand end, again cutting it as needed to fit [this time the final off-cut will be useless because it'll not have a start or end slot to connect to another plank!]...

It's easier to do it than write it...

Gschwartz9

Thanks TIG for the clever workaround. This will get me thru my current project.

Your procedure is easy to follow and gets the job done. I have a couple of issues with the routine that may be unreasonable expectations. One: I've applied textures to the sides and ends to discern between tongue & groove ends & sides. When I shorten via PP, the texture remains, telling me it's a tongue or a groove when it's actually neither. Second: Compared to AutoCad's Slice command, it's more time consuming. With the ACAD Slice command, a plane is defined by two intersecting lines. Any object intersected by this plane can be sliced, with the option of retaining either or both resulting pieces. This capability is what I'm looking for.

This has value in construction, carpentry & plumbing where materials are purchased in finite lengths that need to be cut to fit, and the remainder retained for use.

You indicated that I may be looking in the wrong place. Can you point me in the right direction?

Gary

kyyu

Gschwartz9, you say you have SU8 Pro. Have you tried the "Solid Tools", specifically the "Split" feature?

TIG

You are seriously over complicating the issue by adding a texture to the planks.
Why not go the whole hog and add the fully modeled t&g edges all round [and then have the difficulty of snapping the pieces together]
Never forget that what you model is exactly that - 'a model' it does not need to represent really exactly - in the case of these planks the face size is what's important to you, nothing else. I used PushPull in my example simply because I though it was the simplest to do - as Scaling would distort etc...
If you insist on using this 'textured way' then have you looked at say the 'Zorro2' tool which will cut up solids, or as already suggested the 'Solid' tool ?
A simpler way might be that IF you have to know which edges are t&g etc then you can add a small 'marker' shaped like a T to the top-left corner of the original plank group and an equivalent G 'marker' to the bottom-right corner.
The two edges next to a T are always 'Tongued' and the two next to the G are always 'Grooved'. When you split a plank [using Zorro/Solid tools etc, NOT PP] you can then tell which end is which type for reusing later. If a plank's off-cut has neither marker then it an unusable central bit and needs to be discarded.
As you should always lay the floor from the top-left corner of the room, adding planks to the right until you reach a wall etc, and when that line is done you must start again at the left=most end of the laid floor, you should never need to 'rotate' or 'flip' anything [unlike real life!]... so the plank's 'up' long edge is always a 'tongue' and the plank's 'down' long edge is always a 'groove' anyway...

pep75

Hey Tig! Now you van see what your hard work can do!!

http://www.qupix.nl/PROJECTS/STANDS/ROCKWOOL%20Utrecht%20Bouwb/PROJECTS_ROCKWOOL%20BOUWB.html

Greets!
Pep

Gschwartz9

I agree that I'm overcomplicating this issue. I'll simplify my need.

Assume that I have an 8' 2x4 that will be sawed into a 5' piece and a 16" piece. I want to use the remainder elsewhere in my project. Assume also that for good reasons, the PP solution won't work.

I've tried: Subtract, Split, Trim, Zorro & Zorro2. All either don't do the job, or require significant "repair" work on the cut pieces. For example: Subtract initially appears to do exactly what I need by removing a narrow section of the 2x4 at the desired location. But, the 8' 2x4 component (or group) continues to be a single entity that requires exploding, then making components or groups of all the pieces.

I must be doing something wrong, but I haven't identified it in the tutorials. Also, it's hard to believe that a program as sophisticated as SU lacks such a basic tool that has broad application.

What am I missing?

Box

Draw a line using the line/pencil tool at the point you wish to cut, select the offcut and group it and move it to your offcut pile.

Or better still, create a vertical plane at your cutting point, use this to intersect with the planks and separate the pieces.

Perhaps I'm seeing it too simply, ignore me if so.

Gschwartz9

I tried both methods, but unable to make either work.

Someone please tell me if my expectations are unreasonable, or point me toward a solution.

TIG

I still think Zorro[2] should do what you want...
I have 'chop.rb' [unreleased] that does something similar - simply splitting all of geometry inside the preselected things along the plane defined by 3 picked points...
I'll see if I can get it decent for the public... If I recall it only chops to one level of nesting - probably more than enough for you... but not great as a general tool...