I checked out those two plugins and by all rights they are awesome (Chris's was a little easier to get working and was more, code solid - awesome work Chris). I realized while working with them that based on the architecture I am working with I really needed to go back to the component stringer. For any normal staggered shingles like slate, etc. the objects on surface plugins would work great, but in pagodas they follow a traditional linear format based on original builds being ceramic laced to bamboo...it's the "bamboo" that each of the rows follow. So a LOT of playing with axes, the weld plugin, object orientations, and curved lines, I got part of the roofing laid out (see images below). I have a long way to go for the tipped-up points and other curves but hey it's a labor of love this one...

Similar shot to above with shingles leading to peak:

Tilted shot showing the yin and yang symbols at the tips of the "bamboo" trusses:

Ok, this is a truly awesome plugin...nicely done.

Now to solicit any hints and tips...for my application, what I am designing is an Asian pagoda with "ceramic tile roofing". The roof is a traditional shape with curves along the peaks, eaves, etc...there is a wire frame of curved lines that I was able to get the center tiles to span along nicely (see image below), but as I approach the sides, there is the start of a twist in the geometry. The problem comes in that when setting the axes in the tile component (which is actually four tiles, two-by-two) and spanning along the curve, it seems to apply the "turn along curve axis" starting at the wrong end of the disprove (so that the bottom side of the shingle chain lifts off rather than the top tapers toward the peak as it should). Tried switching the axes (just flips the shingles upside down) and drawing the curved line from the other end (no impact). Wondering if there would be a way to tell it at which end to start the zero rotation point...or if there would be a way to write it for a wireframe or surface propagation? Or honestly any recommendations or tutorial videos that might help with this or any general comments are all appreciated.

Shot of the top pagoda roof...one line of shingles...

Shot of the shingles themselves, and the component shingle...

Render of three rows of the shingles...

Hi there...Has anyone else had the issue where you highlight your component and path, and hit the "Component Stringer" menu item, the path gets "Start/End", but nothing else happens? No dialog to continue?

-S

*UPDATE: This is 100% a function of rights. Ran SketchUp with Admin rights and it worked like it should! Thanks Chris - this is really nice to have!

-S*

So I am pulling "sets" off of the 3D Warehouse to render as backgrounds for chroma-key (green screen) photos. By in large, most of the designers of these complicated sets are built by people have no idea that there is a "front" or "back" face...so they're a, in a word, "mess".

This plugin is nothing short of a miracle. Thank you SO MUCH for creating it.

Regards,

-S