[Plugin] Shape Bender Beta

charly2008 · 2 Jul 2011, 22:58

Thanks Chris

could be interesting also for wood working.

Charly

liviuroman · 2 Jul 2011, 23:06

Google SketchUp 8 - Windows 7 x64

Error; #<NoMethodError; undefined method `all_connected' for #<Sketchup;;ComponentInstance;0xaccf740>>
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;307;in `line_picker'
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;239;in `onLButtonUp'
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;307

Chris Fullmer · 2 Jul 2011, 23:19

That looks like a problenm with what you are selecting. I think you need to have just a single component selected when you begin the tool. Then click on a line.

Could you upload the model you tried it on? I could look at it and see what is wrong,

Chris

charly2008 · 3 Jul 2011, 13:31

Hi,
I'm still experimenting with the different profiles and different paths.

In the example shown below,at the first step the profile is messed up. But that's not a problem. Press the up arrow key and then the down arrow key and the profile is then aligned.

Charly

liviuroman · 3 Jul 2011, 17:25

I solved the problem. I didn`t have any line parallel to x-axis (red axis).

charly2008 · 4 Jul 2011, 11:10

Hi,

Another attempt.

charly2008 · 4 Jul 2011, 21:30

Hi,

here again, the individual steps.

Charly

ShapeBender1.skp

cancincon · 5 Jul 2011, 02:16

Hello,

First of all I thank you a lot for the script, a great idea and a great work.

However I am having trouble with making it work, probably because i am being a noob, but i would still appreciate some help.

When I try to make the script work it tells me to "select something" even though I already selected the object.

I tried many times but still get this error.

Can anyone point me out what i am doing wrong?

Thanks

Dave R · 5 Jul 2011, 02:39

Did you select a component before trying to run the plugin?

cancincon · 5 Jul 2011, 02:56

@dave r said:

Did you select a component before trying to run the plugin?

yes i did

thomthom · 5 Jul 2011, 06:25

Did you perhaps select a group instead?

cancincon · 5 Jul 2011, 07:07

@thomthom said:

Did you perhaps select a group instead?

hmm...maybe...

well i am not even sure, i just made a cylinder and clicked on it with selection tool so it turns blue (so this is where i thought i selected it)

Sorry, i know it sounds stupid but i would still appreciate some pointers about how to use this plug-in : (

Thanks

TIG · 5 Jul 2011, 08:30

You need a 'Group' of geometry that you want to 'bend', a straight 'Line' parallel with the X-axis [Red] that determines the extents of the bending [note that this line cannor be connected to anything else!] and a 'curve' [i.e. an Arc, Bezier or collection of Edges 'Welded' into a Curve] that the bend will follow.

To make a group select your required geometry [e.g. your cylinder] right-click and 'Make Group'; it now selects as a single object because the geometry is inside it [you can also use a component-instance instead of a group - then use 'Make Component'!]...

The relative placement of the group[or component], the line and the curve affect the resultant bending.

Select the group[or component] and start the 'Shape Bender' tool.
Follow the prompts - pick the line - then pick the curve - swap the start/end with arrow-keys IF required [e.g. the ghost-image of the potential bent result looks 'twisted'].
Press <enter> and the group is copied in a 'bent' form, as a new 'shape bender component'...

thomthom · 5 Jul 2011, 08:31

You made a cylinder - as in you drew a circle and push-pulled it? Then what? Did you group it or make it into a component?

cancincon · 5 Jul 2011, 08:57

@tig said:

You need a 'Group' of geometry that you want to 'bend', a straight 'Line' parallel with the X-axis [Red] that determines the extents of the bending [note that this line cannor be connected to anything else!] and a 'curve' [i.e. an Arc, Bezier or collection of Edges 'Welded' into a Curve] that the bend will follow.

To make a group select your required geometry [e.g. your cylinder] right-click and 'Make Group'; it now selects as a single object because the geometry is inside it [you can also use a component-instance instead of a group - then use 'Make Component'!]...

The relative placement of the group[or component], the line and the curve affect the resultant bending.

Select the group[or component] and start the 'Shape Bender' tool.
Follow the prompts - pick the line - then pick the curve - swap the start/end with arrow-keys IF required [e.g. the ghost-image of the potential bent result looks 'twisted'].
Press <enter> and the group is copied in a 'bent' form, as a new 'shape bender component'...[attachment=0:31120sgk]Capture.PNG[/attachment:31120sgk]

Phew...that did it

Thanks to everyone who bothered to give an answer, I appreciate it : ))

avraz · 7 Jul 2011, 08:40

first of all thanks alot for your work -i just bought your repeat copy plug for landscaping and im very happy with it
i also got the shape bender which i really enjoy playing with .
the problem is-it works on 2 computers in version 7 but on my version 8 which i got alot of plugins installed in it , as soon as i pick the component and the 2 lines it starting to process and get stuck on 1-7% and writes that it is looking for components to explode
i tried with a component and with a group i tried reenstalling it ,the shapes i used r as simple as they come and my computer is very strong
my best guess is that is is clashing with another plugin
i got about 100 plugins so if you know of such plug that might be causing such a problem it will help alot

TIG · 7 Jul 2011, 09:30

Have you installed progressbar.rb on both PCs ?

avraz · 7 Jul 2011, 13:26

@tig said:

Have you installed progressbar.rb on both PCs ?

yes i did
on the same computer i got v7 that works but got very few plugs in its library and v8 with alot of plugs that doesnt work correctly

araz · 7 Jul 2011, 14:47

@tobobo said:

Do you have to mist uptodate Compent Spray plugin?, as i believe there is a clash with bender and the previous plugin.

i removed the component spray and it worked
thanks alot for the advice-problem solved

Tobobo · 7 Jul 2011, 18:27

Do you have the most up to date Compent Spray plugin? as i believe there is a clash with bender and the previous version of the plugin.