[Plugin] Shape Bender Beta

inlimine

Chris,

I just recently needed to use Shape Bender for the first time in awhile (SketchUp Pro 8); however, it keeps throwing out the progress response, "Searching for objects to explode" and never moves beyond 5% complete. Now, I've loaded many many plugins and extensions since the last time I used your plugin. Could there be a conflict somewhere? I've tried adjusting the code to your instructions, but noted no change. I know it works quite well as it works just fine in my copy of SU2014 (which has a very limited amount of plugins and extensions). Any thoughts?

Michael

TIG

Can I suggest that you try reinstalling the latest version in v8 too [from the EWH or PluginStore]...
I recall that the earlier version of it needed progressbar.rb from Smustard.com...
I think the updated version now available does not use that ?

Christopher Steffy

I have shape bender plugin on my computer and it works perfectly on Sketchup Pro 2013.

When I open Sketchup Pro 2014 I get the following message:
Error Loading File clf_shape_bender_loader.rb
Error: #<LoadError: cannot load such file -- progressbar.rb>
/Applications/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp.app/Contents/Frameworks/Ruby.framework/Versions/2.0/lib/ruby/2.0.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:45:in require' /Applications/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp.app/Contents/Frameworks/Ruby.framework/Versions/2.0/lib/ruby/2.0.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:45:in require'
/Users/myname/Library/Application Support/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/clf_shape_bender_loader.rb:22:in `<top (required)>'

I am using a 2012 MAC, Software OS X 10.9.3
I am not computer savvy and do not want to mess things up. I would greatly appreciate any help or direction on who would be able to fix. Thanks.

Dave R

I'm guessing you copied the plugin from the SU2013 Plugins folder. Is that correct? The error is telling you that you haven't installed Prgressbar.rb. The current version of the plugin doesn't need Progressbar.rb so the best thing would be to delete the existing old version from the SU2014 Plugins folder and install the current version via the Extension Warehouse.

Polynechramorph

Hi,
Thanks for this great plugin.
it worked well on 2013 pro running windows 8.
I've since moved onto 2014 pro and for some strange reason I can't seem to get the plugin to even load.

I've dopwnloaded the newest .rbz file and placed in the plugin folder for 2014. yes I know about the location change to user/roaming....

So I fire up 2014 pro and nothing, nowhere to be found, no error message.

I sure it's something really stupid and simple I've missed but I am at my wits end. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dave R

Well, you say you put the RBZ file in the Plugins folder. That isn't installing it so it's no wonder it doesn't work.

Move the RBZ file to the desktop or somewhere. Then use Install Extension from Preferences>Extensions and navigate to the RBZ file. Open it and follow the prompts. Or better yet, install it automatically from the Extension Warehouse.

By the way, where did you get the "newest version" of Shape Bender?

Polynechramorph

Ok Thanks I'll try that. I normaly would instal it directly from the warehouse but for some reason the plugin doesn't download I just get stuck in a "Please wait" infinity loop...

Refka

@chris fullmer said:

Name: Shape Bender
Version: 0.55 Beta
Description: This script will bend an existing group to match a curved line or series of connected lines.
Usage: See videos below
Requires: Progressbar.rb
SketchUp Compatibility: Its not compatible with version 5 or earlier.

Download Shape Bender

Here is a list of known bugs and planned improvements:

The first and last angles of the bend curve are actually not accurate. Its not very noticeable, but it is inaccurate.

Every once in a while the grids don't display.

Every once in a while I notice small deviations in the bending that are incorrect.

The video is a little bit outdated. I need to remake it with the new features.
[flash=696,601:280rguhn]http://www.chrisfullmer.com/forums/shape_bender_beta1.swf[/flash:280rguhn]

Video #2
[flash=696,601:280rguhn]http://www.chrisfullmer.com/chrisfullmer/forums/shape_bender_double_bend.swf[/flash:280rguhn]

A new video Dec-03-2009
[flash=790,600:280rguhn]http://www.youtube.com/v/tGHTIOMm_34&hd=1&fs=1[/flash:280rguhn]

Thanks for checking it out!

Also, please check out my newest script Repeat Copy at smustard.com.

NEW! Shape bender en Francais, thanks to c.plaissais (Christophe). Download it HERE!

Chris

Requires: Progressbar.rb

Download Shape Bender

5856,1184

thank a lot sir.. it's work

rjsutton

Hi
I have a relatively easy rectangle to add a curve to but no matter what i do i cant make it work. can someone out there help me please.
basically i need the CURVE as shown added to the rectangular part to produce a curved part as per drawing "curve" but it will have the internals of the original rectangle ( sorry for the novel)
thanks in anticipation
Richard

Part A+B final redraw11.skp

CURVE DESIGN.skp

Dave R

I don't follow what you're trying to do. Do you have an image that shows the desired final result?

TIG

Your Z blue axis should be 'up'.
Your example SKPs shown it 'downwards'.
This might not be an issue here, but needs correction.

You object is only ~70mm long ?
And it has many small facets which might not react well to bending - e.g. if they produce edges < ~1/1000th".
Perhaps Scaling up x10 or x100, bending and scaling down would help ?

But as Dave says... can you show what it should look like...
We are both a bit bamboozled by your description thus far...

Perhaps a simple FollowMe with subsequent tweaks to the ends would suffice ?

rjsutton

Hi Sorry for the BAD description. Attached is a final view of the" mark 1" product. I have adjusted the o/a size and adjusted the shape slightly to achieve the current product. the final item is a compound of part a and b. see attached please.
Thanks
Richard

Assem1.SLDASM.pdf

Part A Complete.pdf

Part B Complete.pdf

Dave R

Couldn't you just upload images instead of forcing us to download your PDF files?

rjsutton

Hi
My original draftsman only sent me EPRT and SLDASM files which has the "curve" applied. I sent him the files in my first post BUT he sent me back in these formats . This forum wont allow me to download these types of files so im sorry the only way to "show" you was in pdf form.I Think its so easy but my comp gets to about 7-15 % and reboots. Have tried reloading prog.but no success. It is a very small item but i did get successful models produced by cnc off the EPRT files. Thanks Richard

rjsutton

Hi all again
attached is as far as i can get you can see the 3 items needed for shape bender
computer crashes all the time......
If you can help Can you also "undock " the 2 parts so they move apart from each other. i seem to have got them connected as one piece.
Thanks for any help
Richard

part for review.skp

TIG

Make the 2 parts as separate groups ?
Then re-join them after the bending / extruding...

You have not heeded my advice about 'scaling'.
The small facets around the curved parts are only ~0.7mm across.
When you start to bend them you might find that edges < 1/1000th" are required.
SketchUp cannot make these because it assumes that the start/end points are coincident.
As a result the tiny facet[s] needing that edge are also not created.

I suggest you Scale up the model x10 or x100.
Do the bending/extruding and scale down x0.1 or x0.01

These tiny facets can exist after they are reduced by in the scaling-down, but cannot be created that size initially...

Having thousands of tiny facets will mean a slow bend, but it should complete eventually...

rjsutton

Hi
have tried scaling to 10 and x 100 and still freezes mid calc.
dont understand comment about making separate groups. From what in can see i have inadvertently joined both halves together BUT now i need to separate. They must be "touching" somewhere i would imagine to form " one component"
My ? is is there an easy way to separate apart from a complete redraw ?
thanks

TIG

Work on a copy of the SKP.

Make a copy of this 'joined' object.

If it's a component use the context-menu item 'make-unique' on one of the instances - otherwise editing one would change the other!
But there's no need for that step if it's a group, because editing a copy makes it unique automatically.

Now Edit these two parts in turn.
Use a fence to Select the unwanted parts and <delete> them.
Use Erase tool to remove other parts as you need...

Now you have two separate pieces...

rjsutton

Hi Make unique is not available. also comment "use a FENCE"....
I am an absolute newbie at this and i dont think you re understanding what i need. The SKP is made of 2 halves 1 is a male form and 1 is a female form. at the moment they are supposed to be together with just a .3mm gap between them. This keeps them separate. Somewhere i have made a mistake and they became joined which to me means they MUST have a connecting point somewhere.
This i cannot find. The two parts are to be machined complete with the curve that i cant get to work so that they fit tight together when finished.I cant separate so i cant edit!!!!
its doing my head in.

pilou

Make some copy, explode and kill on some copy that you don't want
Like this you can rebuild some parts that you wish