Create lego-like solid pieces for assembly

[Guillo_Ortiz]

Hi!

I'm attempting to make a split model for 3d printing and I'd like it to have joints to get a firm grip when assembled (like a lego).

This is what I have:

Does anyone know of a plugin or a way to get this done?

Thanks!

[Rich O Brien]

Do you have an idea of the joint type you'll use?

[sdmitch]

@guillo_ortiz said:

Hi!

I'm attempting to make a split model for 3d printing and I'd like it to have joints to get a firm grip when assembled (like a lego).

This is what I have:

Does anyone know of a plugin or a way to get this done?

Thanks!

Here is a start. You will need to change the values to suit your situation.

unless file_loaded?((__FILE__))
	UI.add_context_menu_handler do |menu|
		sel = Sketchup.active_model.selection
		if sel.first.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face)
			menu.add_separator
			menu.add_item('Dimple') { 
				face = sel.first; ctr = face.bounds.center; nrm = face.normal
				cir = Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_circle(ctr,nrm,0.125,12)
				pts = cir.map{|e|e.vertices}.flatten.uniq.map{|v|v.position}
				fac = Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_face(pts)
				fac.pushpull -0.25 if fac
			}
			menu.add_item('Pimple') { 
				face = sel.first; ctr = face.bounds.center; nrm = face.normal
				cir = Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_circle(ctr,nrm,0.125,12)
				pts = cir.map{|e|e.vertices}.flatten.uniq.map{|v|v.position}
				fac = Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_face(pts)
				fac.pushpull  0.25 if fac
			}
		end
	end
	file_loaded((__FILE__))
end

---

[Guillo_Ortiz]

@rich o brien said:

Do you have an idea of the joint type you'll use?

Not really, any type will do.

[Guillo_Ortiz]

@sdmitch said:

@guillo_ortiz said:

Hi!

I'm attempting to make a split model for 3d printing and I'd like it to have joints to get a firm grip when assembled (like a lego).

This is what I have:

Does anyone know of a plugin or a way to get this done?

Thanks!

Here is a start. You will need to change the values to suit your situation.

unless file_loaded?((__FILE__))
> 	UI.add_context_menu_handler do |menu|
> 		sel = Sketchup.active_model.selection
> 		if sel.first.is_a?(Sketchup;;Face)
> 			menu.add_separator
> 			menu.add_item('Dimple') { 
> 				face = sel.first; ctr = face.bounds.center; nrm = face.normal
> 				cir = Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_circle(ctr,nrm,0.125,12)
> 				pts = cir.map{|e|e.vertices}.flatten.uniq.map{|v|v.position}
> 				fac = Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_face(pts)
> 				fac.pushpull -0.25 if fac
> 			}
> 			menu.add_item('Pimple') { 
> 				face = sel.first; ctr = face.bounds.center; nrm = face.normal
> 				cir = Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_circle(ctr,nrm,0.125,12)
> 				pts = cir.map{|e|e.vertices}.flatten.uniq.map{|v|v.position}
> 				fac = Sketchup.active_model.active_entities.add_face(pts)
> 				fac.pushpull  0.25 if fac
> 			}
> 		end
> 	end
> 	file_loaded((__FILE__))
> end
> 

Thanks for the plugin! It's very close to the effect I'm looking for. BTW, how can I change the units to cm? I tried writing "cm" and " cm" after the number, but got an error.

[sdmitch]

@guillo_ortiz said:

BTW, how can I change the units to cm? I tried writing "cm" and " cm" after the number, but got an error.

The syntax is ".cm", so 1.inch = 2.54.cm

[Guillo_Ortiz]

@sdmitch said:

@guillo_ortiz said:

BTW, how can I change the units to cm? I tried writing "cm" and " cm" after the number, but got an error.

The syntax is ".cm", so 1.inch = 2.54.cm

Thanks, sdmitch. In the end I used your method.

Thanks a lot!

[JQL]

That won't have a very firm grip as it will twist upon the joint's axis. You should have at least 2 pins per joint... It also seems very prone to detach from each other. Maybe you now should model from what Mitch gave you.

[Guillo_Ortiz]

@jql said:

That won't have a very firm grip as it will twist upon the joint's axis. You should have at least 2 pins per joint... It also seems very prone to detach from each other. Maybe you now should model from what Mitch gave you.

Thanks, I will. I'm also going to use super glue to reinforce it.