Dynamic components for folding table base

ed0209 · 16 Dec 2016, 04:46

I started using sketchup a few days ago and I have been trying to create a folding table base I found from popularwoodworking http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/aw-extra-4512-folding-table-base

and using dynamic components to get the arms and panels to fold and the table base to close. But after the first click the main parent component get deformed and doesnt return to the original shape. The left side panel and arms move off farther from the original position with every click.

how do you prevent that from happening? any recommended books or tutorials on the subject?

any help is appreciated.
Ed

folding table base draft2.skp

Jim · 16 Dec 2016, 08:36

Hi Ed,

2 things:

The axes for comp1 is off - it should be on the corner of the component.
Instead of animating the Y positions directly, use another attribute similar to how you did with the "fold" attribute. Then base the Y positions on that new attribute.

Example attached.

folding table base draft-jf1.skp

Jim · 16 Dec 2016, 11:51

I also tried to fix the animation so the parts don't go through one another. I thought using the sin function would do it but I must not have had the formula just right. I do think it can be done I just ran out of time.

ed0209 · 16 Dec 2016, 17:56

Thanks Jim!! that worked great

I think i'm going to try change the pivot how the arms and panel fold so it actually looks like they're folding at the center so it doesnt look like they cross each other while folding like you mentioned.

I changed the formula you used for Y to 19 instead of 20 and the left and right bases now meet at the center without crossing each other.

Thanks again for the help and any recommendations or any tips/tutorials you would recommend to learn sketchup are greatly appreciated

Ed

Jim · 17 Dec 2016, 00:44

I had the right idea using the sin function but I had to shift the movement 90 degrees out of phase. This one should work and look more natural, even if it is not perfect.

folding table base draft-jf2.skp

ed0209 · 17 Dec 2016, 05:05

Thanks jim!!!

Ill confess that I'm far from using math formulas like that but it gives me a good reference on how it works

I dont know what you're talking about, it looks perfect to me!

Thanks again!
Ed