Need helix help

hellnbak

This is one of those problems that I know there's probably a simple and easy solution to, but danged if I can figure it out. I need to create a tapered helix type thing as shown. Just to get to this point I went thru a bunch of gyrations and whatnot. Thanks in advance.

charly2008

Hi hellnbak,

I used DrawHelix14 and follow Me and keep.

Charly

hellnbak

Thanks Charly, looks like it may do the trick. I knew if I dipped into the vast pool of SU smarts here I'd get what I was looking for.

hellnbak

I know this isn't the proper place for this, but the plugin obviously works for you so --

I've installed the plugin, restarted SU, but can't seem to find it anywhere. Not listed in Tools or Plugins, and not listed in Preferences/Extensions. Any suggestions?

charly2008

Have a look into the Draw-Menu.

hellnbak

Ah, there it is. It didn't mention this in the plugin's thread. Thanks

Dave R

Just a FWIW, if a plugin doesn't appear in the Plugins menu after you've installed it, open it up with a text editor and read through the lines usually at the bottom. You'll see something like this:

if( not file_loaded?("DrawHelix14.rb") ) 
    #add_separator_to_menu("Draw")
    UI.menu("Draw").add_item("DrawHelix14") { JF.drawhelix }
end

file_loaded("DrawHelix14.rb")

After UI.menu you see ("Draw"). This tells you that The plugin will appear in the Draw menu. After that it tells you the plugin will appear in that menu as "DrawHelix14". Works for most plugins except those .rbs files.

So how much of that Michigan sunshine did you get? We just got a dusting here in Minnesota on Saturday night and in the next few days it should be gone again.

hellnbak

Thanks, that's a good tip that I'm sure will come in handy.

Here in Hamilton (about 18 miles from Lake Michigan), we got about 15 inches. But since that will be the only snow we get this year I guess I can't complain

Dave R

Well, if you get 15 inches in an hour...

Is it all lake effect snow? It's been really dry here. I put it down to getting a new snow blower, winter coat, boots and snow shoes this year.

hellnbak

Yeah, it's all lake effect. I can remember a time when I had never heard of lake effect. Ah, for the good old days.

Wow, if that's all it takes I'm gonna go out tomorrow and buy four snow blowers. It would be worth it. Of course, if it doesn't work you will be hearing from my attorney.

Dave R

gilles

Also test this one:http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/download.php?file=screw1_5.rb
very simple and very good.

irwanwr

@gilles said:

Also test this one:http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/download.php?file=screw1_5.rb
very simple and very good.

what about this one > [url=http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/plugin_details.php?id=358:2c53acsn]screw 21[/url:2c53acsn]
isn't that newer?

gilles

@ irwanwr
I prefer screw 1.5:

#1 you are asked to select the first and the second end so you can be very accurate.
#2 you can use it with components

[flash=425,344:1sscqxq4]http://www.youtube.com/v/PLkSufuhWu8[/flash:1sscqxq4]
Credits to http://www.youtube.com/user/jvansynghel

Just try the two versions and tell me back.

hellnbak

Well, I've been attempting to use the Helix plugin, and the results are....interesting. Not quite what I had in mind, but kinda interesting in an artsy-fartsy kind of way.
No matter what shape I use, the results are basically the same. I have no problem using follow-me, use it all the time, but with this I'm completely stumped as to what I'm doing wrong.
Any suggestions?

jeff hammond

you'll have to use 'follow me and keep' as suggested by Charlie or 1001bit's extrude.

to keep it simple-- sketchup's follow me cant do what you're trying

irwanwr

this is what i got either from 2.1 or 1.5

Screw test.jpg

if i'm not mistaken, some screws have pointed end. how would you achieve that with this plugin?
i remember something about screw articles on FineWoodworking, by someone called David Richards . well, by skimming and not detailed reading. i'll see what the article might have to say about it.
thank you gilles

irwanwr

@hellnbak said:

Well, I've been attempting to use the Helix plugin, and the results are....interesting. Not quite what I had in mind, but kinda interesting in an artsy-fartsy kind of way.
No matter what shape I use, the results are basically the same. I have no problem using follow-me, use it all the time, but with this I'm completely stumped as to what I'm doing wrong.
Any suggestions?

Steve,
it was meant to use Follow Me and Keep plugin.
not the native Follow Me tool. if i'm not mistaken.

hellnbak

Doh! Didn't notice the "keep" part, just figured it was the normal follow-me. Thanks for the quick responses.

mitcorb

Do you mean the twisting along the helix? If so, are you aware of FollowMe and Keep?
EDIT: In the ~10seconds it took to type and submit the above line, several others replied.
EDIT2: I gotta get ?Voice to Text? for this, and stop stumbling all over the keyboard.