So Pete - did you build or model this stair?
It is doable - but it is one of a kind stair case and would probably have to considered a secondary means of egress ( a utility stair ) as I'm fairly sure the building inspector would give this one a hard time.
I'm busy right now working on CNC GCode for my panel optimizer. The curved staircase software that I'm considering building will follow the 80 / 20 rule. A stair like this I would most likely model from scratch.
Here is a stair that is framed on site. It is all about getting the math correct.
This stair uses 1" plywood for treads and 3/4" plywood for risers. The risers are dado'd into the tread by 1/2".
You will probably have to modify a model. Some of the designs that you have wouldn't quite fall into the categories that I have built. Regardless, you would probably still end up saving time even with a modification.
Here is another variant of the spiral - this one uses a saw tooth stringer and slightly closer spindle spacing.
I'm not sure what you mean by irregular curves.
But I have been able to reduce all the stairs that I've built into mathematical calculations.
For me it is all about the pitch of the stair along the travel path. This path is a vertical line between your legs down to the treads which is aprox 20" front the outside of the handrail. The consideration is for adults as kids have shorter legs and are going to be closer to the rail - that is on the shortest path. If the run - thus the pitch - varies too much then you can trip.
Having said all that - I can design a stair that is very comfortable and yet does not meet the building code or I can design a stair that is not comformatable ( in my opinion not safe ) and yet it meets the building code.
For me - safety is number 1. I can always make it look good.
My web site is CabMaker32.com - you can leave me a message. We can then exchange email addresses and perhaps you can send me examples of some stairs.
Here is a less expensive version of the spiral. No stringer. Spindles hold the outside of the treads.
Here is a very solid spiral stair with a curved stringer.
I've built hundreds of stairs - mostly curved - all geometric. Here are some examples of sketchup models for a few curved stairs.
I am considering writing a C++ program that will create a ruby script to automate the drawing of stairs. The C++ program would give the user configuration choices.
![Freestanding curved stair - Open Riser and 2 1/4" thick treads. Notice the outside stringer is wider. The stringers have extended feet which increases surface area at the floor.](/uploads/imported_attachments/K0r3_Open_Riser.PNG "Freestanding curved stair - Open Riser and 2 1/4" thick treads. Notice the outside stringer is wider. The stringers have extended feet which increases surface area at the floor.")
I'm considering adding a door handle to the door maker plugin. Is there any interest for this option?
I do not think that it is PC specific. However - I do not own a Mac - so I'm not sure what is going on.
I looked into the 2 encrypted files - nowhere is there a reference to 
The _ files are simply there to give examples.
It is possible that the file names and paths are case sensitive (like linux)
The name in the script for glass and mirror is glass.png and mirror.png however the file names in the Image folder is glass.PNG and mirro.PNG
All the rest of the images are in lower case.
In the scrip we have several occurances of using \ and several occurances of using / in paths
This is how the scrip refereces the various files.
filename = ABSDIR + '\textures.txt'
filename = ABSDIR + '\textureLocation.txt'
filename = ABSDIR + '\defaults.txt'
This code is from the GKWare_CabMaker_Ext.rb
RBSFILE = LOADER.split("_")[0] << '.rbs'
RELDIR = File.dirname( PATH )
if ROOT
ABSDIR = File.join( ROOT, RELDIR )
else
ABSDIR = File.join( File.dirname(FILE), RELDIR )
end
The DoorMaker.pdf file explains what the 3 files that start with _ are for.
They are not in effect with the _
If you want to use them then rename them by removing the _
You should be able to just unzip and move all the files under plugins
The purpose of the _texturelocation.txt file was if you have CabMaker32 installed - a windows only cabinet making software, or if you are running multiple versions of Sketchup. This allows you to have 1 copy of textures at around 50 megs rather than many copies.
I will look into the encrypted files for file references.
What is the problem? Is it the Zip file or something else?
What I have is a C++ program that I built called CabMaker32. It handles the sizes, # of doors / drawers etc. It builds a complete cutting list and lets you fill in a few details about rendering. It then calls Sketchup with a ruby script. The Ruby script then renders the cabinets.
I did create a door plugin - that will give you door and drawer fronts in lots of wood textures and pretty much what ever size you need - inches or metric.
There are many door styles.
My web site is CabMaker32.com - you can download the free door plugin and trials for cabmaker32 and cutmasterpro (a parts optimizer that I built in C++).
I have 2 threads here
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=183&t=50636
I figured it out - I had to play around with the OpenGL settings. Sketchup 2013 defaulted to 15 0x antialias whereas Sketchup 8 was using 40 4x.
Now they are both rendering the same.
These aren't exported - I used a snipping tool to grab exactly what I see on screen.
If you click on the images and compare them - Sketchup 8 is giving me better graphics.
When running code without the disable_ui I have to make certain that the Outliner is not visible - otherwise it is really slow.
Here are 2 images of a kitchen. One in Sketchup 8 and the other in Sketchup 2013
I added in the code as you suggested.
model.start_operation( "gkware", true )
did all the work
model.commit_operation
Version 8 increased its time from 19 seconds to 90 seconds
Version 2013 increased its time from 52 seconds to 64 seconds
So - for those who are using start / commit then 2013 is faster. But for me - it's quite a bit slower.
Does anyone know of a registry entry that would disable the Nag screen?
I have a ruby script that I run at startup that draws a complete kitchen.
Version 7 - 17 seconds
Version 8 - 19 seconds
Version 2013 - 52 seconds
For what ever reason Version 8's graphics have less jaggies than Version 7 or Version 2013.
So - I'm not impressed.
The CutMasterPro panel optimizer is now available for download on the web site. CabMaker32.com
Please try it out and give me your comments.
I've noticed that there have been quite a few downloads of the door maker plugin.
I would really appreciate feedback - what works, what doesn't, what you like, what you dislike, what you would like to see changed etc.
Any comments would be appreciated.