[REQ] wire lines to tubes

[gaucho]

Hi guys,

would be possible to do in ruby script, something to generate from a wire mesh... like single lines, a tube mesh? or even square extrude elements... (maybe options to choose from)

I know there's something like it in the 3DS...

Any volunteer?

Thanks in advance!

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[gaucho]

I've uploaded two images to ilustrate the issue!

Thanks!

[remus]

You could try using the technique described in the attached tutorial, ive found it to work quite well for things like that.

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mesh structure tut.skp

[gaucho]

Thanks for your reply remus.

I think it is a little bit more complex as in this case the mesh is not in a single plane, it's a curve canopy and my experiences with FFD never came up with a good precision in the end...

[Didier Bur]

Hi,
Maybe you could use line2cyl.rb ?
Selectionable tube diameter and tube precision, but no intersections between cylinders
Here roughly applied on a basic terrain mesh.

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line2cyl.rb

[2myChaGrin]

Didier,

Would it be a difficult thing to modify this script so that it will paint the cylinders to a color, namely black. I use this script quite a bit as a means to show lines to a render engine. I usually convert sketchup lines to 1/8" cylinders (usually for brick borders around curves or anywhere I want to stylize the final output) and I usually have to go back and paint each cylinder black. This can become a chore with a few hundred separated lines (cylinders) that are 1/8" thick. Something along these lines would be good as a "render line" ruby (if cylinders didn't create so many extra polygons!

[bigstick]

I use 'pipe along path' which gives you an option to set the number of segments for your cylinders. I often use just 4 or 5 if they are for something which isn't close to the camera.

[Didier Bur]

Hi all,
Here is an update of line2cyl.rb:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=12354
Selectable material, grouping, follow-me when possible, and some other enhancements.
Regards,