[REQ] copy along path keeping perpendicular

solo

I do not want to extrude, but copy a component along a path.

thomthom

I thought Copy Along Path did that...

thomthom

hm... I see that it doesn't...
I wonder what tool I used when I had to copy some components around a building...

jeff hammond

i think that type of ruby would be pretty tough to make in sketchup (if not impossible?)

i'm sure you could do it for something specific like a helix but, something that can array perpendicularly along any given curve? i don't think so.

EarthMover

I imagine it would be tough to define the "normal" direction of the underlying vertex. I've been too busy to attempt this, but it looks like a head scratcher. I wonder if you could build it vertically using grow.rb? I also think component stringer could do it based on Simon's testing in that thread. Hopefully I can find the time as I would love to use that chair in some of my pool renders.

Dave R

PathCopy can do it.

bjornkn

A vertex doesn't really have a normal, but a face does.
Chris Fullmer also have the "Components onto faces" plugin, so maybe an extrusion followed by that plugin could do it?

solo

@unknownuser said:

PathCopy can do it.

Yes it can, you need to scale the sucker up by 10x as it does not play nice with " (inches)

Got it working.

Thanks guys.

Dave R

I've never had any problem with it playing nicely in inches. I just did this as an example.

And this was done a little while ago. Neither one required scaling up.

pilou

Yes Faik don't make that but if you replace a component on each segment you will obtain your result
With component dropper by Thomthom

You can select only vertical by the tricky plug of Chris Fullmer
Select lines by lenght

Of course detach just one surface and then apply the Chris Fullmer plug

(here there are 2 surfaces !

jeff hammond

@bjornkn said:

A vertex doesn't really have a normal, but a face does.
Chris Fullmer also have the "Components onto faces" plugin, so maybe an extrusion followed by that plugin could do it?

I guess with a vertex, you could mirror one of the segments making the vertex then use that to define the perpindicular point?
(possibly how chris' perpface tools work?)

But that only going to place a component at the vertices. Maybe you could evenly space them but it's not going to be accurate without some serious calculations.

EarthMover

Ahh...good call Dave. It works with Copy by spacing. Copy by Nodes however, doesn't.

Didier Bur

Hi,
Compo Spray can also do that: just select your curve first, set the tool to "no random rotation" and "keep vertical, that's it.

Dave R

Dider, Can you set Compo Spray so the components lay on the curve as in my examples with PathCopy?

craigcampbell66

Using path copy from 1001bit tools keeps the component perpendicular to the path provided you have the component vertical (as in a baluster) and the path parallel to the ground plane. Run the tool and then rotate assembly back to the orientation you desire.

Paul Russam

You do know that you're replying to a thread that's 8+ years old don't you?