[Plugin] TIG-Smart_offset
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Thanks for this great plugin.
Would it be very difficult to have it work as an interactive tool also using the measurement toolbar instead of the pop up window so it can replace the native tool all together? -
Here's v1.5 http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=446462#p446462
There's some code improvements and fewer fails etc.
Some of the requested changes like 'holes', welded-outlines and VCB input will have to wait...Merry Xmas...
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@pixero said:
Thanks for this great plugin.
Would it be very difficult to have it work as an interactive tool also using the measurement toolbar instead of the pop up window so it can replace the native tool all together?Pixero,
Then you can use Offset on Surfacewhich shows interactively the offset profile and allow to type the offset distance in the VCB. Still many glitches with convoluted contours however.
Fredo
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Excess loop ...
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Looking at ways of minimizing this, and offsetting curves as curves...
Watch this space... -
Here's v1.6 http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=446462#p446462
Curves/Arcs are now offset as curves in the offset-outline...
Speed improved.
Glitches avoided.A Very Extra-Merry Xmas to you all...
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Santa never rests.
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TIG,
this, in the latest version (1.6) of your very useful tool.
(windows 7 - Last Updated SketchUp).
regards,
Roberto
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Error Again
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@blajnov said:
Error Again
the 48.4 dimension was not taken 'legitimately' (you should measure from the center of the arch segment perpendicular to offset segment)
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Two steps forward one step back...
Another 'fix' is in the mixer...
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hi tig,
just send something thru paypal, is 5 p. ok ?i am trying the offset-script, but have some problems, i cannot solve
drawing new curves : ruby works
in my actual project a have to insert lots of curves for landscape modelling.
i created a hole in an existing mesh >> extrqacted the borders of this hole >>
projected these border to a plane (sandbox) >> converted the borderline to- polygon
- curve
but somehow the script does not create offsets here (standard sketchup offset works - with all its mistakes)
i attach the planes, maybe you can check it
i work in skp 6
thanx and regards stan
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Thanks TIG,
I don't use a lot of plugins but I think this one will be very useful. Happy New Year to you.
Mike
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@Stan, any donation is more than welcome... I assume you meant ยฃ5 because 5p=~8ยข...
I think I have a fix for your probable issue - these 3m inset/outset offsets worked OK with a new version that I am working on [native fails with twisted parts].
It fixes some issues with multi-curve loops and also some curves that straddle a loop's start/end vertex not all offsetting as curves...
So far it seems to trap various permutations of offset size and loop contents and convolutions, that have been some unexpected causing issues...
I hope to have that version ready for release tomorrow...
![3m[native].PNG](/uploads/imported_attachments/kUxb_3mnative.PNG)
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Merry Xmas TIG. This looks awesome!
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Here's v1.7 http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=446462#p446462
Further glitches and convoluted offsets trapped.
I am hopeful this will address most issues reported to date...
Happy New Year !
[arriving shortly... ]
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TIG
Not to confuse the issue. Just how should and object look after an offset. I have attached two illustrations, showing an object that has two results. The first shows the object with an offset from your plugin, and the other showing the same object after scaling.
I certainly do not have the smarts to determine which is correct. However, I would suggest that the scaling illustration that shows the object retaining the basic shape would be the more correct solution.
Again, TIG thanks for all your work.
Ken
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The definition of an 'offset' is that all of the edges of the original face's 'outline' are replicated 'offset' perpendicularly by a fixed distance. In your illustration that is 'inwards'.
Clearly in the example made using my tool all of these new 'offset' edges are properly equidistant from the equivalent original perimeter edges.
In your 'scaling' example the new 'outline' is an exact replica of the original outline, it's only smaller is size, not 'offset'.
Therefore only some of these new edges are equidistant from their equivalents, the rest are further away by varying amounts.
Thus, the 'scaled' option gives a copy that's a shrunken version,: although it might be what you want, this is NOT what we are trying to do with an 'offset' - for that we want the 'walls' of the offset shape to be a consistent width; so for us the 'offset' option IS the correct tool to use...
Use can 'scale' to make smaller/larger exact 'copies' of a face's perimeter, BUT you need offset/Smart_offset to make proper 'offsets' of it... -
TIG
I understand that doing an offset, each edge would be offset to a set amount. However, some edges would disappear, and others would distort the shape.
Circular and rectangles shapes would be the only shapes that retained the original shape. With all others shapes the offsetting tool would have to make decision on how to modify the edges to give a close proximity to the original shape.
A real offset would have each edge offset the amount you select, and you would live with the results. Which may not be any where close to the original object's shape.
So my question was, if it OK to distort the shape, wouldn't a distortion of the offsetting parameters that still gives a close approximation to the original shape be better.
Note, I am not trying to change your plugin, I use offset quite a bit during modeling and will download and make a generous cookie offering. Certainly your plugin gives better results than the Sketchup offsetting tool.
It just occurred to me to ask myself, what am I trying to do when I offset and what are the acceptable results?
I generally use offsetting to establishment a edge internal or external to the object's edges for moving or setting another object. Very seldom do I use offsetting to get a larger or smaller version of the object.
I am done, so now everyone back to work.
Thanks TIG for your answer, you may start your break.
Ken
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Sometimes an offset must result in some edges in the original loop remaining unused.
If they have no viable vertices they aren't made.
Simple symmetrical shapes scale and offset with similar results, simple because the scaling is about a 'center'.
The difference between Scaling general shapes and an Offset are illustrated below.
You will see that my Smart_offset omits some edges in the most weird shape because they are 'cross-threaded' and no longer the requisite distance from the original edges...
Incidentally, in making this illustration I discovered a glitch where single welded curve perimeters [like the one around a circle] - these were failing to Smart_offset properly. I've fixed this and will post the update shortly...
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