[Plugin] SketchyFFD (Classic)

DaddyDDesign · 16 Aug 2013, 19:42

Hello I am somewhat new to sketchup and am having a bit of trouble with the "open control points group " step of the process. After the object has the control points around it I cant seem to snap to any of them, when I click the cursor just starts to create a selection box. I'm sure I'm missing something trivial, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

TIG · 18 Aug 2013, 13:13

You need to open the group to move the guide-points [aka cpoints] etc.
You should be able to double lick on one of them to open the group.
Failing that, use the Outliner to find it and double-click on the named entry in the Outliner dialog, it will then open to edit.
To close an edit of a group [or component] click away from it in empty space, or use the right-click context-menu item to close it [or the equivalent Edit menu item]...

nguyenanhducarc · 25 Apr 2014, 02:55

THank you!
i love you.!

jemoto · 2 May 2014, 14:24

Hi all,

I struggle a bit with this plugin; after manipulating the control points and closing the group, I cannot see an "Update FFD" menu item. I believe an earlier poster had the same issue. Can anyone help? Thanks.

john2 · 2 Dec 2014, 14:06

@jemoto said:

Hi all,

I struggle a bit with this plugin; after manipulating the control points and closing the group, I cannot see an "Update FFD" menu item. I believe an earlier poster had the same issue. Can anyone help? Thanks.

Ditto I am also facing the same problem. I just installed and tried to use this plugin.

PeterF · 18 Jun 2015, 17:56

I am having the same problem. I have tried installing every version of the script and there is no 'Update FFD' menu button. The other FFD submenu is there though. I'm using Sketchup Make 2015. Has anyone solved this problem?

TIG · 18 Jun 2015, 18:19

Install the latest version.
Then, at the risk of déjà vu read: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=485421#p485421
It all works from the context-menu - given a suitable selection...

But remember that it is an old creaky plugin, from way back yore...

PeterF · 18 Jun 2015, 18:25

Thanks for the reply. I have tried installing every version and none of them have that button. The rest of the submenu is there like I said, but when you adjust the control points, nothing happens and there is no update button.
Is there a newer plugin that works better than this then? I haven't found another that can twist and warp organic shapes like this one is supposed to.

pilou · 18 Jun 2015, 21:05

Works perfectly in the 2015!

Else you have FredoScale by Fredo6 who makes the same!

PeterF · 18 Jun 2015, 21:22

Ok never mind. I installed it again for the 5th time and it works for some reason!

Fabtins · 8 Jul 2015, 15:58

Fantastic tool sir!
I've just started using it. Its working amazingly well but when i open(double click) the control point group to alter control point locations for deformation, the object i'm working on vanishes leaving only the control points behind. The transformation done is taking place but I only see it on the object after i click close group. Can you help me figure what i'm doing wrong? I've attached the screenshots for reference.

TIG · 8 Jul 2015, 16:33

When you edit a Group or Component you can set the rest of the model to be 'hidden', OR not.
See:- View > Component Edit > Hide Rest of Model - toggle it ON/OFF
Sometimes hiding the rest of the model is useful, but sometimes you want to see it - as in this case !

pilou · 8 Jul 2015, 17:07

You can also use the Structure function for easy use of this plugin!
Click on the image for see animation!

TIG · 8 Jul 2015, 17:21

Structure [FR] == Outliner [EN]

muten86 · 26 Jul 2015, 21:58

thanks

bong2x · 14 Sept 2015, 07:11

thank you for your kindness and brilliant idea.

earl · 9 Nov 2015, 08:04

Im having a problem. i cant find the plugin installed in my sketchup. (SU2013) I already tried intalling the rbz file inside sketchup and pasting rb file in the plugins folder but the plugin wont show up even if i close and open sketchup again. hope u can help me. TY

earl · 9 Nov 2015, 08:04

Im having a problem. i cant find the plugin installed in my sketchup. (SU2013) I already tried intalling the rbz file inside sketchup and pasting rb file in the plugins folder but the plugin wont show up even if i close and open sketchup again. hope u can help me. TY

TIG · 9 Nov 2015, 13:30

Why are you messing on with an RBZ ?
This is an old plugin - putting the RB file [latest version] inside the Plugins folder and restarting SketchUp ought to be all you need...
But if you want to use an .RBZ, you must make a .ZIP of the lone .RB and then change its file-type to .RBZ - use Preferences > Extensions > Install Extension... on that RBZ and it's put into the Plugins folder for you...

But have you [re]read the Usage instructions ?
This tool - when properly installed - works from the context-menu, but only when you have a suitable group selected...
Here are its instructions again...

@unknownuser said:

Create a group with all the geometry you wish to deform. This group should contain just faces and/or lines.

Right click the group and select one of the options in the FFD submenu. Either 2x2 or 3x3 or NxN FFD. Depending on the size of the model it could take a while (seconds I hope). At the end you should see a new group containing nothing but control points

Open the control point group and move the control points as you wish. The object should deform as you move the points. NOTE: it can take a long time for complex models. Look at the status bar in the lower left to see the status of the deformation.

Hepf · 19 Jun 2016, 18:05

Thank you Chris. I was drawing the half dome of Maxentius basilica, and needed just that.