[Plugin][$] Curviloft 2.0a - 31 Mar 24 (Loft & Skinning)

Alomphega

Ok, thanks Fredo6 for your work and your answer.

So I've done a try and to help you a bit I post here a little "newcomer oriented installation resume" :

To install Curviloft as a beginner we just have to close SketchUp and to download these 2 files :
LibFredo6 4.2a – 16 Sep 11 -> http://forums.sketchucation.com/download/file.php?id=74965
Curviloft 1.2b – 26 Sep 11 -> http://forums.sketchucation.com/download/file.php?id=75416

Then we just have to open these zip files, to take all that is inside, and to put it into the "Plugins" folder of the Google SketchUp installation without changing anything, nor names, nor hierarchy.
(for instance under Windows 7 64bits if you have done a standard installation copy all that is in the zip files into the "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google SketchUp 8\Plugins" directory)

After that we can open SketchUp, that's all.

Of course after a quick try I encourage to re-check this entire topic from beginning to see tutorials, to install within an additional directory, to download manuals and so on...

Best Regards,
Guy

jeff hammond

@unknownuser said:

Curviloft 1.2a – 21 Sep 11[/color]: Include the generation of Pseudo-quads allowing the usage of the new QuafFaceTools by Thomthom. Also, it avoids generation of empty group if there is a problem.

nice!

redlerred7

I believe an update is in schedule.
A new version of Quad-face tools was released and now has a different definition on the so called "pseudo-quad".

thomthom

@redlerred7 said:

I believe an update is in schedule.
A new version of Quad-face tools was released and now has a different definition on the so called "pseudo-quad".

Fredo is aware of it. Until it's updated, use the Convert Sandbox Quads to QuadFace Quads function in QuadFace Tools.

Apologies for the inconvenience - but I had to do it in order to address a critical issue.

fredo6

NEW RELEASE: Curviloft 1.2c - 15 Nov 11

IMPORTANT: you need to install LibFredo6 4.2 (or higher). With this version of LibFredo6, the ZLoader__Curviloft.rb is no longer necessary.

This release includes more options for the generation of pseudo-quads for usage by the new QuadFaceTools by Thomthom.

Options are available in the Default Parameters dialog box
Quad-mapping Curviloft.png

By default, pseudo-quads are generated with:

Borders: Soft + Smooth (+ Cast Shadows)
Diagonals: Soft + Smooth + NO Cast Shadows

This allows to have a nice-looking surface, while being compliant with all functionality of Thomthom quads tool (which is already upgraded with the above definitions)

See main post for download

Fredo

thomthom

Thanks Fredo for the quick update. I love using Curviloft to produce quads.

Maybe we should produce some nice example models the demonstrate Curviloft and QuadFace Tools. ...maybe some of the users already got some..? Anyone?

driven

@fredo,

it's not showing in 'check for updates'... yet

@Thomas,

when, 'check for update' takes you to your bitbucket site,
it's not the download page and the link [to the download page] is quite discrete.
It catches me out every time I go there, could it be more obvious?

john

thomthom

My bad. I'll update the link.

lapx

I'm trying to map a texture on this shape. I must admit I'm totally at a loss understanding the uv and quad rubies.
I'm sure I'm missing out on some powerful tools if i fail to understand these.
Need some help in explaining how these would work in this application.

Thanks!

UVTEST.skp

thomthom

@lapx said:

I'm trying to map a texture on this shape. I must admit I'm totally at a loss understanding the uv and quad rubies.
I'm sure I'm missing out on some powerful tools if i fail to understand these.
Need some help in explaining how these would work in this application.

If you want to map that with QuadFace Tools you need to generate the mesh as a set of quads.

I assume you use Curviloft to create the mesh, you need to explicitly tell it to generate quads.

aea

hello

I tried to install Curviloft but does not work. When you install the 4.2 LibFredo6 disappear Hoverselect and Roundcorner that can not be used.

I attached ... please

lapx

Thanks Tom,

Yes I did use curviloft and joint pushpull after skinning to get thickness. Will the joint pushpull operation destroy the quadfaces?
I'll try it.

Thanks again Tom! You are amazing!

thomthom

@lapx said:

Will the joint pushpull operation destroy the quadfaces?

I believe so...

lapx

Tom,
I just tried it with your instruction and still could not get it to work. I got it to work on a flat surface.
Can you try it from the model that I uploaded? The rails are still in the model. It ask for U direction and I get nothing when I try and define U V direction. There is no highlight.

Thanks,

thomthom

@lapx said:

Tom,
I just tried it with your instruction and still could not get it to work. I got it to work on a flat surface.
Can you try it from the model that I uploaded? The rails are still in the model. It ask for U direction and I get nothing when I try and define U V direction. There is no highlight.

Thanks,

I made a mesh with Curviloft using the rails - made it generate quads and I had no problem mapping it. ( Note that is you have anything selected, the UV mapping tool will limit the mapping to the selected entities. So make sure to deselect unless you can't to map a local region. )

As for the extruded surface, I ran Convert Triangulated Mesh to Quads on it, turned out it converted it quite well. (surprisingly as it has issues)
But I had to select a local region in order to map it, because the sides of the mesh could not be mapped to a 2D grid.
See the screenshot for what selection I made:

I picked a center-ish edge and used the Grow Edge Loop so the selection ran the length of the mesh - before it folds around the sides. Then I used Edge Ring to ring loop around the whole mesh. Then I use Select Quads from Edges.

UVTEST.skp

lapx

Like I said, You are amazing! I'll try it an let you know the results when i get to the office.
Thanks once more and many thanks to come.

aea

my instal new sketchup 8 and works

lapx

One step at a time. Here's my curvi loft skin with quads activated. I select the quads by triple clicking in SU. I hit UV map selected quads and nothing happens when I try to pick UV direction.

BTW, my pick button on your quad tools is not working. Might that be the problem?
Is there a problem using Su native picking tools?

Thanks Tom for your help,

Lapx

thomthom

You do not need to select anything in this case. Since you map everything.

Do you get any error messages in the Ruby Console?

lapx

No errors to report. I just get the dialog at the bottom to pick the u direction.
Do hidden lines need to be on?