[Plugin] Shell

thomthom · 7 May 2013, 08:03

Just found this plugin through the new Sketchucation Plugin Store and WOW! This is just what I was looking for. I've had unusual non-manifold models in the past that I ended up exporting to MeshMixer to generate shells for 3D printing. This will keep me in Sketchup, Thanks!

I'm surprised of how many people use this experimental plugin. I wonder if they don't know that Joint Push Pull exists - maybe because of its somewhat unusual name.
But I'd recommend that over this one.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6708

JQL · 8 May 2013, 15:52

Thom Thom,

Joint Push Pull is excellent but it does one thing that is to force the generated mesh to keep the same number of edges and average shape of faces from the initial set of faces. This makes the plugin create unparallel faces.

As I tried to tell you about 1 year ago, your plugin is better at creating faces at an absolute distance from the initial ones, and then connecting them to make a continuous shell.

In the preview state it is absolutely brilliant... then sometimes it fails to generate the geometry shown in the preview...

For a regular shape JPP is accurate, for a mesh that does not need to be parallel to the original one, JPP is also better, but for creating a mesh wich is absolutely parallel, one has to use Normal Push Pull and then connect the faces manually (wich I recently discovered, can be easier if one uses extend trim faces plugin).

If both faces are absolutely parallel a lot more tasks are easier:

Creating Openings fast by using push pull, hole punch tool, or double cutting components;
Drawing of construction layers on sections;
Changing wall thicknesses, for instance, by redesigning exterior of building, and remake exterior thickness on the fly;
Designing stuff with fixed thickness panels, for instance objects made of plywood with a fixed thickness;

Sorry for insisting on this, but it would make my day if this plugin would become stable, and your plugin, with more development, could be the thing many of us need!

Thank you for your time and best regards,

JQL

archheni · 16 May 2013, 05:24

Thom Thom,

I used your great plugin in the past without any problems..But now I receive this message after Sketchup startup: "Error Loading File tt_shell.rb; undefined method `to_l' for nil:NilClass"

Deleting it and re-install didn't solve the issue..
Any Ideas?

HW

thomthom · 16 May 2013, 07:37

hm... sound like there's a problem with the settings stored.

What version of TT_Lib2 do you have by the way?

archheni · 16 May 2013, 08:18

TT_Lib2 V.2.7.1

thomthom · 16 May 2013, 09:02

hm... I'll see if I can find out what it is. Too bad that these startup errors doesn't output line numbers...

thomthom · 16 May 2013, 09:06

Oh - can you try this: (Assuming you have Windows)

Create a .bat file with this command:

"C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 8\Sketchup.exe" > debug.txt

Adjust the path to your Sketchup installation and execute it. That will start SketchUp and output errors to a file. Make sure to close SketchUp first before opening the file.
[mod=:3ka9vm6y]I adjusted a typo in TT's text & added "" around the command - now will work in a PC .bat or .cmd file...
TIG[/mod:3ka9vm6y]

archheni · 16 May 2013, 09:47

..Hm, I'm on a Mac. Maybe something similar can be done with terminal & system log..but I'm absolutely no expert on this.
The system log gives the following information after startup (not sure whether this is useful at all): "SketchUp.app/Contents/MacOS/SketchUp and /Applications/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp.app/Contents/PlugIns/Skp2AcadSection.plugin/Contents/MacOS/Skp2AcadSection. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined."

thomthom · 16 May 2013, 10:22

hm.. then it will take some more digging. I'll see if I can work out what it is.

Btw, could you fill out your profile information to include your OS and SketchUp version?

Dave R · 16 May 2013, 11:21

Thomthom, I just installed this on my Mac in the correct Plugins folder and it loads without a problem.

thomthom · 16 May 2013, 11:32

I think it could be related to corrupted setting data. Not sure though...

archheni · 17 May 2013, 01:55

Hi, deleting the Sketchup preferences in the library seems to have solved the issue. Works fine again.

thomthom · 18 May 2013, 09:27

Thanks for the info. I'm still trying to track down where it might have failed.

stch · 17 Jun 2013, 23:58

Hi - brilliant plugin - seems to be working for simpler shapes, but i can't get it to work for the attached file. I put in the shell thickness, then double click (or press return) and the shell just doesn't 'set' - when I click elsewhere the shell has disappeared. Help massively appreciated as I'm working to a deadline. Any ideas?shape that i cannot shell.skp

thomthom · 18 Jun 2013, 07:46

Yea, this plugin is in very early stages - an experiment. I've not had time to work on it. I'd recommend you try Fredo's JointPushPull instead: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6708

stch · 18 Jun 2013, 08:11

Thanks. I'll give it a go. And thanks for the other plugins of yours I'm using. Solid Inspector is a life saver, as I'm sure you know.

Bob James · 4 Nov 2013, 20:00

I downloaded version 0.3.0 last night and found the following differences:

Usage

Select groups and/or components.
Activate Shell from the Tools menu. %(#FF0000)[**It's in plugins under thomthom plugins**]
Enter a thickness in the VCB or pick a distance in the model.
Double-click to commit. (You can also use Return to commit as long as the thickness has not changed.) %(#FF0000)[**It defaults to the last value you used. (if you've not used it before it defaults to 1"). If you change it to something else you have to hit return before double-clicking.**]

Dentice · 11 Feb 2014, 10:50

Hi there,
when selecting the group / component and then selecting the shell from the list of plugins, I do get the temporary shell. I can also type in the dimension but as soon as I double click or press enter, nothing happens. I do not know how I can terminate the command. please can you help?? thanks a lot.

mitcorb · 11 Feb 2014, 19:08

I think the Spacebar works in most cases. See if that is correct.

tt_su · 12 Feb 2014, 14:04

@dentice said:

Hi there,
when selecting the group / component and then selecting the shell from the list of plugins, I do get the temporary shell. I can also type in the dimension but as soon as I double click or press enter, nothing happens. I do not know how I can terminate the command. please can you help?? thanks a lot.

Double-click or hit Return. It's described in the first post of this thread.