Any plugin to evenly space objects?

Dave R

If it does, I don't know. If it really doesn't, it might soon.

TIG

Like an 'align tool' that aligns ['spaces'] existing objects onto a set 'grid' or along a linear spacing ?

thomthom

@tig said:

Like an 'align tool' that aligns ['spaces'] existing objects onto a set 'grid' or along a linear spacing ?

Yes - like any align and distribute function in graphic applications like Indesign, Inkspace etc...

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Dave R

That would be interesting for when you have a bunch of different, unrelated components to deal with.

thomthom

@dave r said:

That would be interesting for when you have a bunch of different, unrelated components to deal with.

Exactly - like I have now.
Since it's such a common feature in other application I thought it would have existed by now. There is an align plugin (only by X,Y,Z axis AFAIK) and no distribute.

I imagine a tool, where you clicked in the model to set the align direction would be good. Object would be sorted along that vector and spaced out evenly.

Dave R

So the line would define the line of alignment and distance over which the components would be spaced? Components placed by their origins? How would alignment be determined? Aligned to global axes? In Pathcopy the alignment can be tricky so sometimes for my use it is a bit of trial and error.

Didier Bur

Maybe this one (align 2D) ? http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/plugin_details.php?id=12

Dave R

Didier rides to the rescue wearing a white hat!

How hard would it be to add an option to space the components evenly along the line?

pilou

This one ?

CadFather

no such thing exists (yet) - 'js align' is the closest i've seen to play with the position of objects but of course does not space them. the fact that master Thom himself is asking, is unreasonably worrying... it really is needed.

with all the trickery, surely this can't be too difficult..?

thomthom

@cadfather said:

the fact that master Thom himself is asking, is unreasonably worrying

Not really - it's not hard - just didn't want to reinvent the wheel. But alas, I never got around to make anything myself...

CadFather

ok, i feel better now... (at least there's no intellectual property on the wheel!)

JClements

I think it would be useful, but tricky to do in 3D.

For instance, equal spacing between objects/groups/components that have a depth, height, and width. Do you use the model axes or the axes of the group/component to determine the spacing in between them (assuming the measurements are taken orthogonally to the axes)?

thomthom

@jclements said:

For instance, equal spacing between objects/groups/components that have a depth, height, and width. Do you use the model axes or the axes of the group/component to determine the spacing in between them (assuming the measurements are taken orthogonally to the axes)?

If I had made it I would have had toggles for setting the axis it would work in: World, Local, Custom (Tool defining a custom working axis)

pilou

Why do you want not use my little "undrop" plug above?
Very rustic but works very well

First "Align" (or not), "Drop" your objects selected with any plugs existing
Then "undrop" them with my little plug with any measures
And then rotate if wanted a special orientation "line" of them as you want !
All takes only seconds

sexypox69

Im kind of late to this topic but has anyone come up with a solution to this.....I come acroos this senerio almost every day with what i do. It would be wonderful to have a plugin which aligns selected objects along a path plus the option of along the axis, be able to specify the distance and have it spaced equally or at a given distant.....like in layout you can align, space and center selected objects......

function

sam da mitch makes exactly this.
http://sdmitch.blogspot.com
Align&Distribute - Align and space selected objects along an axis.

Haven't spent much time with it, but it wasnt the most intuitive interface, looks great if you follow the console

joshuabrew

hey!
any leads on a plugin for this?? looking for the same... basically the sketchup equivalent of the distribute and align tools common in adobe indesign and illustrator, but for 3D objects in sketchup.

thx!
j

Dave R

@joshuabrew said:

hey!
any leads on a plugin for this?? looking for the same... basically the sketchup equivalent of the distribute and align tools common in adobe indesign and illustrator, but for 3D objects in sketchup.

thx!
j

Hey! Did you try the link in the post immediately above yours from 2014?