Ruby rotate

jhearcht · 15 Oct 2008, 20:47

I'm having difficulty rotating an irregular shape with the rotate tool because the grouped object doesn't have a flat surface in the horizontal plane for the tool to work on. So I found a Ruby script to rotate an object 90 degrees around the Z axis. This is my first attempt to use a script.

I expected the script to be in a downloadable file format. But all I found was the text. So I copied that into a text editor, named it Rotate 90.rb and placed it in the Plugins/Utilities folder. After opening SketchUp, I didn't see the filename anywhere in the menus. I don't know where else to look for it.

A little help will be appreciated.

remus · 15 Oct 2008, 21:02

I think the problem is that the file needs to have the name the author gave it. This will usually be mentioned on the site you downloaded it from, so just have a look there.

You can also right click the link->save as and then save it in to your plugins folder, this means you dont have to faff around with copy and pasting.

Last thing, for future reference, you can move the rotate tool on to the ground plane (so it turns blue) then hold shift to keep it aligned to the z axis, you can then use it to rotate anything on the axis. Holding shift works for locking the inference on loads of other things as well, just try it out.

richcat · 15 Oct 2008, 21:14

You could use Space design which is has a free rotate tool in it, and is very easy to use and load.
Link http://wiki.renderplus.com/index.php?title=Space_Design
NB. I believe Space design used to be separate program from RPS Tools, but has now be combined so you just have to download the evaluation program RPS tools and after 30 day trial period a number of the tools remain working including the rotate, move and copy items.

jhearcht · 15 Oct 2008, 23:29

On the Ruby Library Depot I found 3 rotate scripts. I still didn't see a button to download the file, so I right clicked <<save link as>>. All three files are now in the base Plug-in folder, but only one shows in the menu bar. It works just as I had hoped.

In the meantime, I had opened the component and added a temporary horizontal face. (The ground was too far away) Now, after much wasted time, I'll know how to rotate an irregular object next time. Thanks for your help.

jhearcht · 16 Oct 2008, 00:28

@richcat said:

You could use Space design which is has a free rotate tool in it, and is very easy to use and load.
Link http://wiki.renderplus.com/index.php?title=Space_Design
NB. I believe Space design used to be separate program from RPS Tools, but has now be combined so you just have to download the evaluation program RPS tools and after 30 day trial period a number of the tools remain working including the rotate, move and copy items.

The site referred to Space Design as a <<free download>>. But the only download available is the RenderPlus <<RPtools>>. After installation it doesn't mention Space Design anywhere. I don't really need a tool to make a "wine bottle", but the basic tools would be great for me, since I have great difficulty moving things around accurately in 3D. If I decide to keep using RPtools, I don't see a suggested price anywhere (the "donations" page is empty. Any ideas?

pav_3j · 16 Oct 2008, 01:19

hmm, spam alert?

i just don't know

pav

Gaieus · 16 Oct 2008, 06:31

Just an idea about the Rotate tool:

When you click on a point that you want to rotate an object around but cannot get the proper axis of rotation, don't release the left mouse button but start dragging it into the desired direction (in this case up or down along the Z axis). When the procractor turns into blue (in this case), you can release the left mouse button and choose another point to select and rotate the whole thing.

Of course this way you can use any arbitrary line or direction to rotate around, not just the basic, three axes.

Pav; what do you mean?

richcat · 16 Oct 2008, 15:54

It does look like Space design has been combined into RP tools, as there is no download for it except RP tools.
When I download RP tools

along time ago - the 30 day trial ended and the original tools from the free space design keep working
(These are

)
which included the rotate and move as well as copy which have been used a lot. The others in RP tools just say that trial has expired when clicked.
I bought the full RP tools for another machine for the plot line thickness and colour and 2d text for cad drawings.

Pav are you referring to the fact that in order to get to the download page you fill in your email address and name, and company if relevant? It does then say a link will be sent and suggests that you then make it a favourite which will then by pass this page. I have never had any unsolicited email from Al or RPS.

If you email Al

of RPS if you do not want to do this I don't think he would mind. They are all very helpful.

If want to buy then here is linkhttp://www.renderplus.com/pdf/purchase.htm#RpTools or on the main page there is a link to purchase in contents