Need helix help

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.

jeff hammond

@mitcorb said:

EDIT: In the ~10seconds it took to type and submit the above line, several others replied.

Well, more like ~33 hours but hey.. who's counting

mitcorb

Hi, jim4366:
Are you the author of spirix, or do you know the author?

mitcorb

@Jeff:
Hmmm I could have sworn those posts were not there when I replied. I guess I only see what I want to see and this only happens to me.

jeff hammond

@mitcorb said:

@Jeff:
Hmmm I could have sworn those posts were not there when I replied. I guess I only see what I want to see and this only happens to me.

nah.. I assume you clicked on page 1 of the thread and saw hellenbacks last post at the end of the page then replied to it.
(at least, that's the way it happened to me a couple of times before)

irwanwr

interesting ruby

why haven't i saw much of your post here in the forum Jim?
your spirixcode page looks very interesting. with all of those math equations.

thank you for the info, Jim.

mitcorb

Yeah. I did a google search for "spirix.rb" and found the web page. I printed the complete instructions and explanations for further study. Evidently this author has a sense of humor and he has a nice collection in the warehouse. I wish he would place a date on that web page to somehow indicate when he updates so as to give it some feeling of activity. He has three categories under construction with a completion date back in 2010. I would commend him for his talents and generosity, if I could. I don't have much presence on other websites, needless to say.