[Plugin] Component Array (Updated 27-Mar-2014)

sdmitch

Made SU2014 compatible

Generates a component array on selected face. Input consist of the component to place, the XY spacing, the rotation angle of the grid, if the grid is to be rectangular or triangular, and if components are to be placed vertically or perpendicular to the face.

The point of origin for the grid is placed well outside the face to allow for any rotation of the face itself. A component is placed at each grid point that falls on the face. Depending on the origin of the component, the first component placed in each row my be inside the face boundary and the last component placed may extend outside the face boundary.

Please get the latest version from the PluginStore http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=Component_Array

majid

would you give us a visual tut?

wyatt

I love this. I know I will use it a lot. Is there any reason the component selection window includes groups? Lots of components include sub-groups and that makes the list quite lengthy. Would it make more sense to only include components? Maybe you have a reason including groups that I'm missing.

sdmitch

@unknownuser said:

Is there any reason the component selection window includes groups? Lots of components include sub-groups and that makes the list quite lengthy. Would it make more sense to only include components? Maybe you have a reason including groups that I'm missing.

No your not missing anything. The API model.definitions is suppose to only return components but apparently not. So far I haven't figured out how to filter the groups out.

I doubt if there is a way to distinguish between a sub-component and the component containing it. The best I can do for now is suggest you know the name of the component you want and type the first letter. That will allow you to step through the list to find it.

Oh no it isn't, I've just figured it out. Thanks for the question.

wyatt

Thank you for updating the script. It works better...groups and sub-components no longer show up. The list now shows each instance as a unique component. Is there a way to filter it so component names only appear once?

TIG

The model.definitions returns ALL definitions - which includes components, groups and images [the last two are just special kinds of component if you think about it].
To make a list of just components loaded into the model use this...
defs=model.definitions comp_names=[] defs.each{|d|comp_names << d.name if not d.group? and not d.image?}
You then have a list of all "component" definitions in the model 'by name'...
Use joined_names=comp_names.join("|") for the dialog dropdown...
Later after the user has selected a component by name and pressed OK, to get a reference to that definition from the selected 'comp_name' use...
def_to_use=defs[comp_name]
much as you have done before...

EarthMover

Thanks Sam! You came through as always. It would be great to see this developed even further. Perhaps adding functionality for choosing up to three different components and randomly distributing them in the array. Perhaps also an option to randomize scale. Being that this started as a vegetation plugin, those things would make it great for mass plantings. It's a nice simplified version of component spray.

sdmitch

TIG, thanks for the tip. I had worked it out a different way but I think I like your method better.

sdmitch

@earthmover said:

Thanks Sam! You came through as always. It would be great to see this developed even further. Perhaps adding functionality for choosing up to three different components and randomly distributing them in the array. Perhaps also an option to randomize scale. Being that this started as a vegetation plugin, those things would make it great for mass plantings. It's a nice simplified version of component spray.

I already did that, at least partially, it's called RandomComponentReplacement.

EarthMover

Great thanks Sam, I'll check it out. Maybe you can make a unified component tools plugin with one toolbar. I'm just being selfish and trying to make my life easier with no regard for your time. I just finished a project with 60 different kinds of plants spec'd in and it was a nightmare. No worries though, I have a few more keyboard shortcuts left.

Justo

Thanks again Sam.

I'm not sure if anyone else would like this to evolve anymore than it has, but I'll ask anyway!

Is it possible to have:
The result be grouped or made a component with the [quantity] x [component name] as the new group/component name.
Array grouping.png

The option of having the face and lines surrounding the selection to be removed after component array is run. Although delete key usually does a good job of this if i remember to do so after running plugin...
Array selection.png

I could easily get carried away a few requests! Feel free to say bugger off!
I have played around with the script for use with paved areas (takes me forever... hence the requests)

Thanks

brookefox

Thanks for sharing... I guess experimentation may reveal how to best cope with tidiness (arraying strictly within, and even better, trimming to fit within bounds).
component array-1.JPG

On second thought, I guess a situation where that that kind of tidiness is desired is not what this is for.

Joel is working on a remotely similar hatch plugin which is targeted to accomplish these things, but the poor guy has some kind of other life going on.
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=38637

raineysky

Sam,

I need to make a chain and sproket for a piece of machinery similar to a bicycle chain and sproket assembly. Which one of your plugins is most suitable for this? I have a chain link made into a component. Thank You

EarthMover

Paul, try either Component Stringer or Shape Bender, both by Chris Fulmer.

raineysky

Thanks Earthmover. I do have Shape Bender, which is a wonderful plugin. It's just that I'm a little thick and have to re-learn how to make it work each time. Was hoping Sam had something because his plugins are always very easy to use. I am testing his Comp String plugin right now.

sdmitch

Comp String is the only thing like that that I have but don't think it will work very well since the components will need to overlap precisely.

raineysky

Thanks Sam. Working nights now but will give Comp String another shot on my next day off.

sdmitch

Made SU2014 compatible.

TIG

I have added it to the PluginStore.
http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=Component_Array

Neeko

Thank you.
I was looking for a plugin that would help me "spray" a grass instance regularly on a selected surface to "fill" it up. Now I just have to randomize the rotation of the components with "scale and rotate multiple" and that would make a perfect grass