@dave r said:

As Peter wrote, welding doesn't not simplify. It's still the same number of segments. I expect you could reduce the number of segments in the curve for the road path but that isn't really a problem this time.

I was referring to the huge number of segments in the gutters. There's no reason to have 99 segments for that curve. You could reduce SketchUp's processing time by reducing the amount of geometry it needs to crank through.

[attachment=1:w7238tmd]<!-- ia1 -->Screenshot - 2_24_2015 , 4_11_26 AM.png<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment:w7238tmd]

And here's a screen shot showing the reversed faces. I expect you made the extrusion in a number of steps since the faces are divided on the end. Deleting the vertical lines that split the road profile before extruding would have prevented the reversed faces. Applying materials over the reversed faces won't fix that.
[attachment=0:w7238tmd]<!-- ia0 -->Screenshot - 2_24_2015 , 4_09_44 AM.png<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment:w7238tmd]

I did another version and tried to simplify my curb (no roll curb, just straight edges) - still no avail:( Is it possible I might just have an older version and it doesn't work as well with 2013? I think I got this plugin before I upgraded.

@box said:

Here I have simplified the profile curves and made one face that can be extruded. I haven't simplified the path, but you certainly could to reduce the geometry further.
As you can see since you component is flat it doesn't need to be the same length as the curve.
The line along the red axis tells it to make the full length of the shape all the way along the curve.
It does it, but works hard to do it.
Follow me also creates the shape faster and with less setup.
[attachment=1:2v52fiaz]<!-- ia1 -->Bender V Follow.gif<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment:2v52fiaz]

Thank you! Any chance you could save down to 2013 so I can see what you did?? Thanks for all the comments!

@dave r said:

There's an awful lot of geometry, some of it is not needed. For example, in the gutter areas, there are a bunch of coplanar faces that don't need to have edges dividing them. You probably don't need as many segments in the curves, either. All that geometry is going to make SketchUp work hard and probably take a while to process. Another problem is that you've got some reversed faces. Those ought to be repaired and maybe affecting Shape Bender.

You could use Follow Me for that curve too.

I welded the alignment "curve" together, is there another way to reduce the segments? To create the "base" straight section, I just extruded all of the faces of the road, trail, landscape, curb/gutter, the same length as the alignment curve - should I do this another way?

Thanks in advance!

@box said:

Use the arrow keys to change the selection.

Thanks for the quick response - It looks like you may have gotten it to work? Yes, I knew how to toggle the start and end points back and forth, but it still just wasn't creating the curves, and doing crazy things....your version actually looks like the curves are intact?

I need help please! I have used shape bender before (successfully)to create roadways with a 3D alignment file, but this time it does not seem to be working. I have my file below (link to dropbox)- my base model (roadway section, at the correct length) is to the left, the alignment "curve" is to the right. I have my horizontal line parallel to the base section (3' to the left of it)

I have gotten it to the point of preview, but the preview when it does try to create the bend, it's not curved, and just strange, looks like it's up in space (however, there is another preview in red and blue colors that seems to be correct, but when I hit enter; it created the more geometric, strange one. It also has on a few occasions changed my orientation (start and end at opposite locations)

Please let me know if you can help, I need to have this in a couple of days (rendered)

***Let me know if the link below does not work

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cm1pb9wd36xtv6u/Shufflebeam%20Road.skp?dl=0

That would be great - I did try to clean up the file with just what was needed, but it's still over 5 mb's - so if I could send it to you that would be awesome. Thanks

Here is the cross section that I have tried to create using my profile line (as my curve) and the Shape bender tool. I have even tried to take out some components that I can just drop in manually, like the lights, and the line work (which I figured out would probably be distorted with the tool anyways), but I am still getting the bug splat. Is there a certain way that things need to be grouped in the component to make it more streamlined? It would be amazing if this could actually work, I have used the follow me tool, and I could probably use that, but wanted to try this first, as it would save a lot of time if I can figure out how to get it to stop crashing:) I tried to attach my skp file, but it is too large.

Thanks for the input.

Ok, so I have been able to create some ramps using the shape bender tool, and now I have moved on to trying to create my mainline part of the highway - I have a cross section created that I want to use, and I have an alignment line that is my curve (which is quite long). I am following all of the steps precisely and I get an instant bug splat every time. Is there anything I can do differently? Or is this just too complex for the shape bender? I am trying to attach a jpeg to the post - anyone know how to do that?

@unknownuser said:

Yes Shape Bender is perfect for that

By Solodown with Shape Bender (dash lines drawn inside)

Thanks....do you know what was used to draw the dashed lines for the road markings?

Hi All,

Hopefully I can get a little direction here - I am probably an intermediate user of sketchup and I am in the process of creating a relatively complex highway model which includes a long mainline highway and includes a lot of ramps, etc. The road also includes a lot of elevation changes, and probably runs about 3-5 miles that I have to include in my corridor model etc. I have been scouring the internet to look for roadway tutorials for sketchup but I haven't found a lot of advanced information. I have just installed the Instant Road plugins, but I am not sure if I can create a 100' plus wide 12 lane freeway at different elevations using that? Does anyone have any experience with freeway modeling in sketchup? I have also had Shape Bender and some other plugins installed that may help me? I am just trying to figure out the most efficient way to begin this project. I do have a profile line (3d from CAD) and 2d plan information that I can import and use? Or do I need to create this profile line in Sketchup?
Any help is appreciated! Thanks