How to loft a fabric structure saddle shape
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SU8.0 on Windows XP
I would like to create a simple fabric structure in SU. The fabric will stretch between two slanted arches in a hyperbolic saddle shape. I see examples of compound curves, apparently done completely in SketchUp, but I find no indication for how it's done.
This doesn't seem to be a Sandbox "draping mesh", so I assume it requires a lofting tool. I downloaded Chris Fulmer's "simple loft" tool from Ruby Library. It places a Loft button on the toolbar, but gives no indication for how to use it. [Seems to me that all Ruby scripts should include basic operating instructions, for us newbie dummies] SU Help offers no entry for a search on "Loft" or "Lofting".
A brief "How-to" or a "forgetaboutit" would be appreciated.
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Hi,
Either not sure if I understand right what you are trying to achieve, but how about this plugin:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=32380
download from 6th post
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Well, a great many of the plugins that were introduced here were, in my opinion, adequately explained by their authors with videos, illustrations, or verbal explanations in the relevant threads/topics.
Anyway, do a keyword search on: (also, check the plugins index here in the forum
SoapSkinBubble. Haven't used it in a while.
TIG's Extrude Edges by * edges, rails, faces, faces and rails, lattice and so forth. This is a suite of tools for specific ways in creating skinned meshes.
Fredo's Curviloft
You already know about Chris Fullmer's Simple Loft.
Kyrill also did some lofty stuff, not necessarily relevant here.I guess I may have misunderstood your issue.
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@mitcorb said:
Well, a great many of the plugins that were introduced here were, in my opinion, adequately explained by their authors with videos, illustrations, or verbal explanations in the relevant threads/topics.
I guess I may have misunderstood your issue.
My issue is : where can I find some of those "adequate explanations by the authors". So far, keyword searches on Ruby library and SketchUcation have revealed nothing useful. A the moment, I'm looking specifically for some guidance on how to use the Simple Loft script by Chris Fullmer.
Some scripts have brief instructions that download along with the script. Shouldn't the Ruby Library include links to videos, illustrations, explanations, etc. for each script? If it does, I missed it.
PS---After some nosing around I finally found the Simple Loft videos. But a link on the Ruby Library would have abbreviated the goose chase.
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The ruby library? There is a copy of loft there? I shoujld go over there more often. I try hard to make videos of most of my plugins to help explain them. The videos are always here, or else on smustard.com if you download the script there. I have some scripts that do not have videos, but most of them are the simpler scripts.
Sorry it took so long to find the video.
Now, as for the script. It was a very early attempt at writing a loft script. If it works for what you need, great! But I would highly recommend looking into TIG's Extrusion tools, and also Fredo's curviloft. That scripts are much more complete than the simple loft one.
Good luck,
Chris
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Chris
Thanks for the response. I eventually got a reasonable facsimile of a fabric saddle shape. But each time I save after generating the curved surface, SU vanishes, and I get a BugSplat error. So I still have nothing to show for my work. I'll check-out your other recommendations.
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@jhearcht said:
But each time I save after generating the curved surface, SU vanishes, and I get a BugSplat error.
Wow, really? That stinks. Sorry to hear it. I have not looked at that plugin for quite some time now. But it should definnitely not do that! Definitely try those other plugins. They are really really good, and much more advanced. I wrote mine as a bit of test, to see if I could get it to work.
Again, sorry its breaking the model. Good luck getting one of the others to work,
Chris
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Here's the simple EEbyRails way...
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Cool! Thanks TIG.
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