[Plugin] Shape Bender Beta

Z Donk

Hey, I just loaded this up and am trying to use it for the first time. Got it in my Plugin folder etc.. I'm trying to do exactly what chris did in his first example video and running into a wall: Once i have the simple group selected, as commanded, the "select a single line on the red axis" is the next command. Try as I might, I can't get the selection to take. It highlights blue, It's on the red axis, its a single line. The next command for selecting a curve does not come.... Tried it as a group, as an exploded group, etc. -The line is selected then the grid doesn't show and the commands stop there.. Bear in mind, I'm an intermediate sketchup user but even recreating Chris's simple example I hit a wall.

(Ultimately, I'm trying to bend a 3d geometric rectangle plate along 3 different angles)

Z Donk

Hi moderator, I found the problem, I didn't know I had to have the entire file in my plugins folder.. Off and running.

Dave R

@z donk said:

Hi moderator, I found the problem, I didn't know I had to have the entire file in my plugins folder.. Off and running.

So we can put your problem down to incorrect installation? That seems to be the most common reason plugins don't work for folks. It's one of the reasons for the Sketchucation Plugin Store. If you haven't got it and installed it, you should.

PabloNCS

Hi everyone,

I don't know what am I doing wrong, but the text I am trying to bend does not mantein its original size and it kind of stretches out.

Anyone can give a hint?

Thanks.

Dave R

The length of the arc is longer than the length of the original text and the original line so of course the text would get stretched. Make the straight line the same length as the text and the arc the length of the straight line and it works better. The letters will still get a bit distorted but that's to be expected. You might even make the arc a little shorter than the straight line in the case of your text.

PabloNCS

Thanks for the tip. It worked better that way.

archipenti

Hello

Seems we can not use custom axes for the "red axis"

is there any update or solutions for this little bug?

Dave R

That's not a bug.

viahe

Thank you so much. Simple but yet, great ruby

dancho

Hi Chris,

plugin don't work with FREDO's AdditionalPluginFolders.
Is it possible to make it work with it?

THX
Dancho

TIG

Like I told you in another recent post...
The code needs adjusting around lines #158-160 of the main code file clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb...
Use Notepad plain text editor...
Change the lines:
line_cursor_path = Sketchup.find_support_file("line_pointer.png", "Plugins/clf_shape_bender") curve_cursor_path = Sketchup.find_support_file("curve_pointer.png", "Plugins/clf_shape_bender") default_cursor_path = Sketchup.find_support_file("default_pointer.png", "Plugins/clf_shape_bender")
to read:
line_cursor_path = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), "clf_shape_bender", "line_pointer.png") curve_cursor_path = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), "clf_shape_bender", "curve_pointer.png") default_cursor_path = File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), "clf_shape_bender", "default_pointer.png")
Save the file and restart SketchUp...
This approach will then work with any folder location. which is auto-loading a plugin like this, and which is looking for helper files in a subfolder within its folder...

Chris Fullmer

Cool, thanks TIG.

Lana

Is very cool!!!Thank you!!!

janpaw_kei

Hi Guys!

I'm new in Sketchup and I just downloaded the shape bender tool for the curved car ramp that I'm making, and I can't seem to make it work.

My reference would be:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGHTIOMm_34

I followed the video step by step.

Click "grouped" shape.
Click SHAPE BENDER TOOL.
Click "straight" line.
Click "arched" line.

I have problems with step 3.
I can't seem to click THAT separate straight line I made after I clicked on the shape bender tool icon.

Is this a download error?

Thanks a lot!!

Box

The straight line must follow the red axis, not be part of a group or attached to anything.

janpaw_kei

Yeah, I've been doing that. I still can't click on that straight line on the red axis

Dave R

Upload the SKP file so we can see what you've got going on.

janpaw_kei

Here it is

Bender tool.skp

curved ramp.pdf

Box

It's three lines, it needs to be one line. Redraw it as one, and draw it along the length of your shape.
The length and position of all parts effect how it works.

janpaw_kei

Alright, I just did that. Still can't click the straight line. I'm so sorry for this

Bender tool.skp