Todd,

There is a lot about colors in the hash but, alas, nothing about font attributes.

Is there an option, attribute or method to retrieve the font settings
(font-family, font-size, color) of the active model or a Text object ?

I need it to for an SVG export of my drawing.

Dave R,

Go back to my first post in this thread and get the script there.
The latest version gives thickness to the slices.

Can you send me the drawing you are using?
And are you sure you are using the right version?
Because there should be default values and the flattened slices should spread out nicely.
See the picture on the url in the first post of this thread.

What SU version do you use, and wat is your OS?
I tested in SU 6 Pro on Mac OSX.

jumpjack,

Please check my first post in this thread.
I uploaded SliceModeler v1.3.
Hopefully that version works for you.

jumpjack,

From the menu: File -> Export -> 3D model -> type: Autocad 14 DXF
But maybe this menu option is only available in the SU Pro version?

The flattened slices ARE placed side by side.

in this version the slices have no thickness. I thought there was no need for it
because my goal was to get the flattened slices with the slots. I export the flattened
slices as a DXF file and use that file in a program for my laser cutter to cut 3mm sheet
material like MDF or plexiglas.

The next version will have adjustable thickness for the slices and solve some bugs as well.

Ross,

Most of the thanks should go to TIG for his excellent Slicer script that I used.

I use SliceModeler for rapid prototyping of 3d models made from 3mm MDF or plexiglas.
I cut the slices with a lasercutter and glue or interlock them, that's why I need the slots in the slices.

But there are still a few errors to solve (which I am sure there are) and functions to be written, so I could really use some help from greater minds than myself.

• asteronimo

Based on TIG's Slicer script I wrote a plugin that slices a solid 3d model along 2 axes, f.i. an X- and a Z-axis.
You can enter separate parameters for each axis. After the slices have been created it calculates the slots for each intersection which allow the cross sections to interlock in an open cell framework, like an egg crate. This process is used in rapid prototyping and can be used to create molds for casting or forming parts.

These are sometimes called slicemodels or sliceforms.
There is a nice book about this subject, "Surfaces: Explorations with Sliceforms" by John Sharp.

The script can slice complex forms like a cone, a torus or a 'C' correctly.

Tested with SU 6 on Mac OSX.

Version history:
1.0 - First working version based on TIG's Slicer script but without transforming the slots to flattened slices.
1.1 - Solved bug in slot position calculation
1.2 - Using additional slices (3 for each intersection) to calculate slot holes. Improved parameter dialog and transforming slots to flattened slices.
1.3 - Discovered that text labels add size to to bounding box dimensions. Corrected text labeling. Corrected contour cutting. Slices now keep their attributed thickness. Improved code for slicing in Z-direction and spreading the flattened slices.

IF YOU FIND THIS SCRIPT AT ALL USEFUL I'D WELCOME YOUR DONATION AT:
http://www.public-art-international.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/200/language/en
(newer version can be found there)

• asteronimo

SliceModeler.rb

Hello,

I tried to slice the attached object along the X-axis with TIG's Slicer script.
It does the job, gives the error "There is NO Volume to Slice!" and then undoes the slicing again.
Any ideas what's wrong?

I used:
Slice spacing: 100mm
Slice thickness: 0mm
Slice orientation: X
OS: Mac OSX
SketchUp version: 7

It gives no problem when trying to slice along the Z-axis.

• asteronimo

form_to_be_sliced.skp