Copy Array Along Path tool...have a look.

Click Draw · 1 Nov 2009, 17:06

Hi there,

I know I've been posting a lot of questions lately, so seeing as I'm on a roll, here is another. Have a look at the attached and see if you can help. Also, once I can get the proper outcome and know how, I'd like to experiment with changing or replacing the component with another. I think this will come in very useful for creating rope, chain, spine type shapes, etc....A good example would be "Doc Oc" arms in Spiderman. Hope you all know what I mean.

Thanks,

Jeff

TIG · 1 Nov 2009, 20:04

This along awaited update of RickW's tool CopyAlongPath - to rotate as it copies... I'm do some other stuff that will involve an algorithm that could be applied to this - but don't hold your breath...

Click Draw · 1 Nov 2009, 20:10

Do you know of a user guide or PDF on the proper settings...if there is a settings guideline.? I would use it more if I knew how to set it up properly.
Jeff

Ecuadorian · 1 Nov 2009, 21:03

Takeshi Hashimoto wrote a basic, but good explanation:
http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/ruby-scripts/9467-visual-index-ruby-scripts-3.html#post132098

I'm also waiting for a version that can do what you want...

Click Draw · 1 Nov 2009, 21:17

Thanks Miguel,

Seems to work fine when the path is 2D by not when 3D. So far I have made a work around using the Radial Bending ruby....just more time consuming.

Cheers,

Jeff

Ecuadorian · 1 Nov 2009, 21:38

Jeff, I made a request very similar to yours back in March. You might want to check the thread for some ideas people gave:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=17285

EDIT: Now that I think about it, perhaps a combination of 1001bit's extrude along sloping path + Chris Fullmer's Components to Faces could be the ticket.

Chris Fullmer · 1 Nov 2009, 23:11

My perpendicular face tools will do it. It just doesn't do it as an array. You have to click where you want each face to be applied. So it could be useful, but also tedious if you need a perfectly spaced array.

Chris

Click Draw · 2 Nov 2009, 00:54

Hi Chris,

Ya...I used it in the sample above but I would for sure be very time consuming. I was wondering, each face is created as a group, could it be possible to have it place a component on a node instead of a circle, square or custom face. Kind of a combo between copy path and perp faces.... what do you think?

Thanks,

Jeff

RickW · 2 Nov 2009, 17:36

@tig said:

This along awaited update of RickW's tool CopyAlongPath - to rotate as it copies... I'm do some other stuff that will involve an algorithm that could be applied to this - but don't hold your breath...

2D rotation works for components, but 3D rotation has yet to be implemented.

Ecuadorian · 2 Nov 2009, 18:30

This will make a nice commercial script, Rick.

JClements · 2 Nov 2009, 20:18

Jeff, I use perpendicular to path as well to do what you showed in your first posting, but it can be a tedious process.

If it could be automated AND combined with scale along a path from one object to a rescaled-copy of itself, it would sure be helpful in producing things such as reduced elbows.

Lets hope ...

simon le bon · 5 Nov 2009, 22:59

@tig said:

This along awaited update of RickW's tool CopyAlongPath - to rotate as it copies... I'm do some other stuff that will involve an algorithm that could be applied to this - but don't hold your breath...

"This along awaited update of RickW's tool CopyAlongPath" Yes indeed dear Rick, we agree with TIG. We need it! (we want it )

this is my try:

3d_grid.rb

Weld v.3.000 by Rick Wilson

BezierSpline v1.21 by fredo

Perpendicular Face Tools by Chris Fullmer

@jclements said:

If it could be automated AND combined with scale along a path from one object to a rescaled-copy of itself, it would sure be helpful in producing things such as reduced elbows.

Lets hope ...

2 Faces + Path ver. 1.4. by Kirill

@click draw said:

I'd like to experiment with changing or replacing the component with another. I think this will come in very useful for creating rope, chain, spine type shapes, etc....

Components onto Faces v1.0 by Chris Fullmer

As Jean lemire always say: "just ideas"
simon.

simon le bon · 7 Nov 2009, 23:37

Tweaking the process:

*s

xrok1 · 8 Nov 2009, 04:05

love that chain! i'd like to see it rendered with a glass material.

simon le bon · 8 Nov 2009, 09:56

Hi Rocky

Please take it and make it at your convenience
(click the pic for Skp)

../sim

simon le bon · 10 Nov 2009, 22:57

Playing with the process..
(easy and fast)

(two components made with the same 60° rotated)
*s

Bob James · 10 Nov 2009, 23:41

@simon le bon said:

(easy and fast)

Is your "easy and fast" the same eight-step process in your previous post or have you come up with a real "easy and fast"?

pav_3j · 10 Nov 2009, 23:44

simon you are a master of getting the best results using methods most don't think of!

i'm still a little confused by the process, but i'll get there!

pav

pav_3j · 11 Nov 2009, 02:37

ah i get it now simon, thank you very much for the written explaination.

i think one thing you may have missed out (as i understand it) is that the amount of steps you have to take with the 2 faces and a path tool, must equal the amount you have segmented the curve by, or the faces will not end up on the end point of each line.
correct?

thank you again.

pav

Click Draw · 11 Nov 2009, 05:06

Very clever Simon....I'll be trying this for sure!

Thanks,

Jeff

PS: I wonder if it would be possible to have a ruby called "Replace segment with Component"...nah....I doubt that could be written