[Plugin] SketchyFFD (Classic)

TIG · 31 Aug 2011, 21:40

Charly

Please be aware that there are some helper files that are 'required' by other files - e.g. 'progressbar.rb' is needed by Chris Fullmer's 'ShapeBender' and others, and 'deBabelizer.rb' by several of my own 'toolsets'.
So if you remove/rename_with_.TXT any of those and there are other files that need them, then you will get error messages, either at startup or more rarely when the tool activates.
If that happens the error-message is usually quite clear - telling you the missing file's name so it can readily find it and it can be reverted to as it was...

However, so far it sounds like your 'tidy-up' has been problem free... but just in case of future oddities please bear in mind what I've just said above...

Lorelalala · 1 Sept 2011, 23:12

Great tool, CPhillips!

It has amazing results. I shall definitely try it.

Thanks for sharing this.

mandinga2006 · 29 Nov 2011, 11:34

THX!! ...good job!

congellous · 27 Jan 2012, 21:58

Thanks for the help TIG, but I have got the sketchy FFD on my right click but it still doesn't work, move the control points nothing happens and no update in the menu. If it's so simple how come there are pages and pages of conflicts on this web site. I know how to do the root installation but the Fredo set with the lib for instance, version compatibility and the folder set up is a bit cryptic. I'm sure there great tools but this is open programing without quality control.
Also, you can read updates and instal instructions for outdated versions, PC versions etc ad nauseum or just ask someone to help which I'm sure is frustrating.

TIG · 27 Jan 2012, 22:39

OK... you have now got the tool loading, and it's in the right-click context-menu...

If you run it with the Ruby Console open what error message [if any] do you get ?
What doesn't 'work' exactly ??

There were many issues with early the versions... but I took it upon myself to [try to] fix the original author's code [with his permission!]... so that these were then hopefully resolved... [Q: You did download/install the most recent version, didn't you ??] - so if you are now saying that there are new issues we need to know about them... so, whatever details you have [beyond, 'It doesn't work!'], would be very useful

congellous · 28 Jan 2012, 10:00

as I said move the control points and nothing happens
it took 20 minutes to 'weigh' a panel
can you point me to the latest one maybe it's that

TIG · 28 Jan 2012, 10:11

Did you get it from http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=36127#p36127 - the 20110810 version by me [TIG] downloaded 1385 times, and with few issues reported over the intervening five months [note that the two more flaky earlier versions were downloaded over 9000 times in total and even they had relatively few issues, when used as intended !]

Do you get anything in the [all ready opened] Ruby Console when you are using it ?
Are you following the usage notes carefully ?
Screen-shot [or even post] your 'panel' SKP - is it incredibly complex ??

Can I also suggest that as this is no longer a unzip/install issue you post in the tool's own thread [as linked above]... I'll think about splitting the last few posts off into it too... MERGED!

congellous · 28 Jan 2012, 16:33

Worked instantly from that link, I must of downloaded it from somewhere else ???
Exactly what I needed, Thanks

Hogwarts · 18 Apr 2012, 10:46

I can't get this plugin to work and I need to use it desperately for some artificial snow I'm making for a building roof top.

I put it into plugins folder and then I tried tools but no luck.

An Install guide would be helpful.
Thank you

Rich O Brien · 18 Apr 2012, 10:55

@hogwarts said:

I can't get this plugin to work and I need to use it desperately for some artificial snow I'm making for a building roof top.

I put it into plugins folder and then I tried tools but no luck.

An Install guide would be helpful.
Thank you

Install by putting the script in your plugins directory.

As it says on the first post

thomthom · 18 Apr 2012, 10:59

@hogwarts said:

I put it into plugins folder and then I tried tools but no luck.

The plugin description only mentions a right-click menu .. no Tools menu.

Rich O Brien · 18 Apr 2012, 20:48

No, it should appear when you right click a group.

Hogwarts · 18 Apr 2012, 20:48

@unknownuser said:

@hogwarts said:

I can't get this plugin to work and I need to use it desperately for some artificial snow I'm making for a building roof top.

I put it into plugins folder and then I tried tools but no luck.

An Install guide would be helpful.
Thank you

Install by putting the script in your plugins directory.

As it says on the first post

Edit, I see it's on right click menu FFD now but I only have 3 commands?
Lock, unlock and make patch. None of them seem to do anything?

Could someone direct me to a guide to using this plugin. Thank you.

Rich O Brien · 18 Apr 2012, 20:56

FFD won't allow you to create a N x N cage if it's raw geometry or a component

Hogwarts · 18 Apr 2012, 21:05

@unknownuser said:

FFD won't allow you to create a N x N cage if it's raw geometry or a component

So how do you create the cage? I am just starting at Sketchup.
I've been using it for 1-2 months now.

Here is what I'm trying to make.
The snow cap on top of this window.

I already made a cylinder. Radial bended it around the top. Now i need to deform it like snow

How do you suggest I do this. Thank you.

Rich O Brien · 18 Apr 2012, 21:40

Have you read the description in the first post?

Make your cylinder a group. Right click and choose N x N. Input values for height, depth and width. These will be the points that weight your cylinder.

Edit the point group and adjust points accordingly.

It's best if you attempt to do this then ask when things become difficult.

Hogwarts · 18 Apr 2012, 22:04

@unknownuser said:

Have you read the description in the first post?

Make your cylinder a group. Right click and choose N x N. Input values for height, depth and width. These will be the points that weight your cylinder.

Edit the point group and adjust points accordingly.

It's best if you attempt to do this then ask when things become difficult.

Ok I've completed your steps up to "edit point group"

I'm not quite sure how, could you explain it? Thanks for the patience.

Rich O Brien · 18 Apr 2012, 22:42

Now you've 2 groups. The cylinder and the points.

Edit the points group the manipulate the cylinder group. The points can be moved individually or in multiples. Pick a row and move them. The mesh should update when the move is committed.

Just practice

Hogwarts · 19 Apr 2012, 02:18

@unknownuser said:

Now you've 2 groups. The cylinder and the points.

Edit the points group the manipulate the cylinder group. The points can be moved individually or in multiples. Pick a row and move them. The mesh should update when the move is committed.

Just practice

Thanks for the help. I'm starting to make it look like the image.
It's going to take practice you're right. This is cool!

chadlharris2000 · 2 Oct 2012, 11:45

I have a very novice question. I'm trying to download the SketchyFFD plug in but I can't see where the link is to download it. please tell me how to find it on this website. Thanks