Best practices to push pull multiple componets

jtri · 12 Apr 2014, 13:21

I was wondering what might be the best approach do to push pull and intersect multiple components at the same time. For example, a counter of 4 components and want you to lengthen it,(did not want to explode it) is it best to scale it to lengthen or push pull? If push pull how do you do all 4 components at the same time? Also if you wanted to miter the counter, is there a way to do all 4 components at the same time?
Thanks
Jeff

Plam counter 1.125 core and .75 wood edge.skp

mitcorb · 12 Apr 2014, 13:58

Hi:
In this case, it appears that scaling along an axis is the most direct way. Select all, activate the scale tool, grab the "centroidal"? grip, and move along that axis. Does this make sense?

For mitering, you could construct a mitering plane at the desired angle(45 or other) and intersect with your components. Select all, right click> intersect. You may wish to copy and make all components unique for this operation so that the original components can be available for other actions. Or save your components to other than In Model.

EDIT: After you intersect, you remove the unwanted portions.
EDIT: Oops. That is not quite right. You will need to edit each component for the miter.
You didn't ask about plugins, but there are tools to do these operations.

jtri · 12 Apr 2014, 14:23

I currently work as you have laid out but it is a bit tedious, so was looking for faster more efficient methods. Which plug in would you suggest for these type of operations?
Thanks

mitcorb · 12 Apr 2014, 15:15

Well, I thought Fredo's Joint PushPull, however, it appears that JPP Interactive is not playing well in my Sketchup V8 and later, but it may be that I am not applying it correctly.

On a side note: You are aware of small dimension face formation in Sketchup? Not that this is an issue, but upscaling the components can help with editing and then scaling them back to size.

Perhaps a plugin called Slicer can do the mitering. I do not have it, but I recall discussions, and it is available in the PluginStore.

jtri · 12 Apr 2014, 15:34

I also tried Fredo's JPP and did not see a way for it it pull multiple components they way I envisioned. Maybe I should post on that thread? I will look into TIG's Slicer and see if that can do multiple components. I wonder if I need to change my approach to this type of modeling?
Thanks
Jeff

pbacot · 12 Apr 2014, 16:23

I would use Fredoscale to stretch in some cases. It can be finicky about nested component and will give new component names. In the side direction why not just scale it?

jtri · 12 Apr 2014, 16:36

Scaling works fine and that will be my method. Any thoughts on the best way to intersect nested components, or must that be done one component at a time?
Thanks for the help understanding the limitations of push pull.

pbacot · 12 Apr 2014, 16:58

I don't know of any other way to make intersection except working within. If you are talking about making turns etc. on a counter, it seems like a lot of work. You may have reasons (illustration, take-off, later construction details) to show things that will not be seen in a model of the whole cabinet or kitchen. I handle cabinets and counters by showing only the outside, but I am not a cabinet builder. I just want to show the kitchen overview usually.

You can set the miter plane described above. Outside all the components, intersect that plane with your components. Copy the resulting lines into each component (paste IN PLACE). Select all those lines and the unwanted portion of the component's entities. Group and delete.

You only need to miter one set (at 45 deg --in the simplest scenario) and make a copy to mirror and place against the original. Then it will be necessary to use Fredscale stretch to lengthen or shorten each side without messing up the miter.

OR You know push-pull can be done pretty quickly for extension. After the first one you click into each component and push-pull --double click the face to get the same length extension.

OR just move the end face in each component. Sometimes the move /stretch technique is the best way--for example if you have some detail modelling and not just a simple face to move.

I often do the "box" version of the cabinet by making a face that is the profile from toekick up to counter and backsplash. I use follow me to run it around the portion of wall etc where it goes. I then have the basic shape of it all and can texture the cabinet wood, the top stone etc. Again, I don't care about the insides or the construction. You can run faces around of your counter parts if you want, importing the "path" into each component.

jtri · 15 Apr 2014, 01:44

Thanks for the tip on the FredoScale plug in. I have and use it but had forgotten it will stretch without changing the miter! It will be a big help in a lot of what I want to do, just need to remember to use it. I model the way I build items. We use a CNC for as many operations as we can so you need to be accurate. You need to measure all your materials before you set up to cut. We find each lift of particle board and laminate varies in thickness. So I feel modeling like this saves me time in the long run.
I would love to know what other people find they can leave out of models that saves time in modeling.
Thanks again
Jeff

dukejazz · 15 Apr 2014, 06:47

Dirty way with a volumes

Aline the axes to the direction to pull

Now you select multiple ungroup objects faces and use the move tool by dragimg it along the axes

thus gives a push-pull effect or warping of 3d volumes objects