[Plugin] Shape Bender Beta

Chris Fullmer

Thanks for clarifying Dave - I have not used the plugin in a whle obviously!, I've forgotten how it works apparently.

Great shapes there Charly, looks like you're getting the hang of shapebender quite nicely now!

Chris

charly2008

Thanks Chris

could be interesting also for wood working.

Charly

liviuroman

Google SketchUp 8 - Windows 7 x64

Error; #<NoMethodError; undefined method `all_connected' for #<Sketchup;;ComponentInstance;0xaccf740>>
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;307;in `line_picker'
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;239;in `onLButtonUp'
C;/Program Files (x86)/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/clf_shape_bender/clf_shape_bender.rb;307

Chris Fullmer

That looks like a problenm with what you are selecting. I think you need to have just a single component selected when you begin the tool. Then click on a line.

Could you upload the model you tried it on? I could look at it and see what is wrong,

Chris

charly2008

Hi,
I'm still experimenting with the different profiles and different paths.

In the example shown below,at the first step the profile is messed up. But that's not a problem. Press the up arrow key and then the down arrow key and the profile is then aligned.

Charly

liviuroman

I solved the problem. I didn`t have any line parallel to x-axis (red axis).

charly2008

Hi,

Another attempt.

charly2008

Hi,

here again, the individual steps.

Charly

ShapeBender1.skp

cancincon

Hello,

First of all I thank you a lot for the script, a great idea and a great work.

However I am having trouble with making it work, probably because i am being a noob, but i would still appreciate some help.

When I try to make the script work it tells me to "select something" even though I already selected the object.

I tried many times but still get this error.

Can anyone point me out what i am doing wrong?

Thanks

Dave R

Did you select a component before trying to run the plugin?

cancincon

@dave r said:

Did you select a component before trying to run the plugin?

yes i did

thomthom

Did you perhaps select a group instead?

cancincon

@thomthom said:

Did you perhaps select a group instead?

hmm...maybe...

well i am not even sure, i just made a cylinder and clicked on it with selection tool so it turns blue (so this is where i thought i selected it)

Sorry, i know it sounds stupid but i would still appreciate some pointers about how to use this plug-in : (

Thanks

TIG

You need a 'Group' of geometry that you want to 'bend', a straight 'Line' parallel with the X-axis [Red] that determines the extents of the bending [note that this line cannor be connected to anything else!] and a 'curve' [i.e. an Arc, Bezier or collection of Edges 'Welded' into a Curve] that the bend will follow.

To make a group select your required geometry [e.g. your cylinder] right-click and 'Make Group'; it now selects as a single object because the geometry is inside it [you can also use a component-instance instead of a group - then use 'Make Component'!]...

The relative placement of the group[or component], the line and the curve affect the resultant bending.

Select the group[or component] and start the 'Shape Bender' tool.
Follow the prompts - pick the line - then pick the curve - swap the start/end with arrow-keys IF required [e.g. the ghost-image of the potential bent result looks 'twisted'].
Press <enter> and the group is copied in a 'bent' form, as a new 'shape bender component'...

thomthom

You made a cylinder - as in you drew a circle and push-pulled it? Then what? Did you group it or make it into a component?

cancincon

@tig said:

You need a 'Group' of geometry that you want to 'bend', a straight 'Line' parallel with the X-axis [Red] that determines the extents of the bending [note that this line cannor be connected to anything else!] and a 'curve' [i.e. an Arc, Bezier or collection of Edges 'Welded' into a Curve] that the bend will follow.

To make a group select your required geometry [e.g. your cylinder] right-click and 'Make Group'; it now selects as a single object because the geometry is inside it [you can also use a component-instance instead of a group - then use 'Make Component'!]...

The relative placement of the group[or component], the line and the curve affect the resultant bending.

Select the group[or component] and start the 'Shape Bender' tool.
Follow the prompts - pick the line - then pick the curve - swap the start/end with arrow-keys IF required [e.g. the ghost-image of the potential bent result looks 'twisted'].
Press <enter> and the group is copied in a 'bent' form, as a new 'shape bender component'...[attachment=0:31120sgk]Capture.PNG[/attachment:31120sgk]

Phew...that did it

Thanks to everyone who bothered to give an answer, I appreciate it : ))

avraz

first of all thanks alot for your work -i just bought your repeat copy plug for landscaping and im very happy with it
i also got the shape bender which i really enjoy playing with .
the problem is-it works on 2 computers in version 7 but on my version 8 which i got alot of plugins installed in it , as soon as i pick the component and the 2 lines it starting to process and get stuck on 1-7% and writes that it is looking for components to explode
i tried with a component and with a group i tried reenstalling it ,the shapes i used r as simple as they come and my computer is very strong
my best guess is that is is clashing with another plugin
i got about 100 plugins so if you know of such plug that might be causing such a problem it will help alot

TIG

Have you installed progressbar.rb on both PCs ?

avraz

@tig said:

Have you installed progressbar.rb on both PCs ?

yes i did
on the same computer i got v7 that works but got very few plugs in its library and v8 with alot of plugs that doesnt work correctly

araz

@tobobo said:

Do you have to mist uptodate Compent Spray plugin?, as i believe there is a clash with bender and the previous plugin.

i removed the component spray and it worked
thanks alot for the advice-problem solved