Array Copy along Edge?

thomthom · 28 Nov 2007, 12:33

Can it be done? In SU itself or with the help of an extension?

I've used to model in 3DSMax and there's a tool there that let you do this and it's such a great timesaver.

Gaieus · 28 Nov 2007, 13:08

Tom,

Have a look at the SU Guide here (go down to about 2/3 of the page to see "Linear arrays").
Also, "Radial arrays" are worth to have a look at here (somewhere in the middle of the page).

Then here is a tut by Eric about similar issues and finally if your path is neither a single line nor a circle (arc) but something irregular, there's "pathcopy.rb" by Rick Wilson (RickW here) that you can download either from their site, Smustard.com of from Didier Bur's Ruby Library Depot .

Cheers

Howard leslie · 28 Nov 2007, 13:27

Thomas,
I've produced a quick tutorial for you here:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2073
Hope this helps
...
Howard L'

thomthom · 28 Nov 2007, 14:26

Thanks for your responses. Sorry that I wasn't very specific with my question, but I was referring to copy along an irregular edge. I was aware of the linear array copy.

I tried the ruby plugin, however I can't get it to work as I expect. The path is a set of connected lines, but the plugin won't let me select all the elements when it asks me to pick a path. It only uses the first segment I click on. preselecting the path doesn't do it either. Grouping the path segments is also a no go. Are they meant to be joined somehow? I've not found any command in SU to join connecting lines.
Any ideas?

Marek Badzynski · 28 Nov 2007, 14:45

Thom,
try the WELD ruby for "welding" line pieces together. Then you can select a whole(long) path for your copy-along-path

Weld.rb is free - I think smustard has it

Marek

Gaieus · 28 Nov 2007, 14:46

Tom,

again a nifty little ruby; "weld.rb" will be of your help. You can download it from Didier's site here again.

It will (well) weld any segmented lines back to one polyline. You can also use it for re-welding exploded arcs, curves etc. Just pre-select what you want to weld and run it. In this particular case of course don't check "close curve" etc.

thomthom · 28 Nov 2007, 15:13

Just what I needed! Thank you very much!

Is there a way to set where it begins the first object?
...maybe I can just break the spline..? I need to play around with this.

thomthom · 28 Nov 2007, 15:16

Got it working as I want now. Thanks again for your help.