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Copy Array Along Path tool...have a look.

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  • S Offline
    simon le bon
    last edited by 11 Nov 2009, 11:18

    Hi Bob and Pav,

    I'm confused because in following my own idea I was sure to have described the process in its simplicity!! Your two comments tell enough I was wrong.

    I am going to try to explain better , "pardon pour mon anglais".

    I)My main idea is that we need to prepare the curve we intend to be the path along which we want to copy our elements. Because what we need is a curve made of
    -a)an exact number of segments
    or
    -b)a curve divided by segments of a precise length.

    1)If we make our "path" using arc tool or/and line tool or/and bezier spline we need to make it first a "clean curve". This is made by the help of "Weld".

    2)Once this is accomplish, we are going to convert this curve as a well wanted segmented polyline. this is made with underknown features which go with "BezierSpline" . When you select the curve, you can choose by right-clic context menu πŸ˜† Convert to: Polyline Divider (if you wish to divide your curve by segments of exact length) or Polyline Segmentor (if you want to divide this curve by a specific number of equals segments.)

    II)My second idea is to use "2Faces + Path" plugin in an unusual way. This plug is first intending to drive a transformation from a face to another one. My idea is to use it with no transformation! the first and the last face are the same! So this face is going to be dispatched in one clic all along the path in between the segments.
    Re: to simplify the process I use "Perpendicular Face tools" to put in place with a clic those first and last faces, but we can do without it. (in particular when we want to use a complex face)

    III)My third idea is to use "Components onto Faces" to replace those faces by the component I want. One more time in just a clic and, as the faces remain selected, I can delete them with one push on "Del" .
    Re: if I want to dispatch various components like in the case of my chain, I copy the same number of the path+faces and I delete by hand the faces I don't want to follow the component. And I assemble them at the end.
    Re: the main tip is to play foxy with "modify axes" inside components.

    In summary:

    1)drawing the curve
    2)make it clean (weld)
    3)make it a divided polyline (BezierSpline: Polyline Divider or Segmentor)
    4)put the first an last face (Perpendicular face tools)
    5)put a face at each segment intersection (2Faces + Path)
    6)replace faces by components.

    (I have some others ideas to develop the process, I shall tell latter πŸ˜‰ )

    simon.

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    • R Offline
      Rich O Brien Moderator
      last edited by 11 Nov 2009, 12:04

      @chris fullmer said:

      Was TIG working on something that would replace a single line with a component and use the line scale and orientation to determine the scale and orientation of the component? Something about that sounds familiar...

      Chris

      Hi Chris,

      This "Replace with Component" idea is extremely exciting. Do you think Fredo's 'GhostComp' could hold some clues on implementing this? I know zero about Ruby Scripting but use Fredo's alot to help keep things running smoothly.

      I realise it needs a component to create various versions of that component and hide the original. But could this be reversed to reference a component from a simple line?

      Download the free D'oh Book for SketchUp

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      • P Offline
        pilou
        last edited by 11 Nov 2009, 12:28

        @unknownuser said:

        a ruby called "Replace segment with Component"

        If your segment is a component you don't need a ruby πŸ˜‰
        I believe exist a ruby that transform a selection of elements in Components πŸ˜‰
        So select your elements (here segments)
        transform them in components
        Replace your component by any other component you want
        Et voila 😎

        Frenchy Pilou
        Is beautiful that please without concept!
        My Little site :)

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        • S Offline
          simon le bon
          last edited by 11 Nov 2009, 14:21

          some few more details of explanation:

          When I need
          @unknownuser said:

          -b)a curve divided by segments of a precise length.
          . For I have to dispatch elements with a definite length along the path, it is going to remain an under sized segment from "Polyline Division". I delete this extra one before go further.

          When I use "Perpendicular Face Tools" to put a face at each end of the curve, those faces are grouped. I ungroupe them in order to make them as available faces with "2Faces + Path".

          (
          @pav_3j said:

          ah i get it now simon, thank you very much for the written explaination.
          pav
          thank you pav)

          @pav_3j said:

          i think one thing you may have missed out (as i understand it) is that the amount of steps you have to take with the 2 faces and a path tool, must equal the amount you have segmented the curve by, or the faces will not end up on the end point of each line.
          correct?

          "2Faces + Path" dispatch automatically the faces at each intersection in one pass. This is the very good point!!
          It dispatches exactly (n+1) faces: a face at each intersection + a face at two endpoints of the curve.

          So we have to delete the two previous faces we have put to initialize "2Faces + Path" process.

          important remark: "Perpendicular Face Tools" and "2Faces + Path" doing the same, are dispatching the faces oriented at the mid angle between each two segments, and in a perpendicular angle for end lines..

          another very interesting feature is the ability of this plug to dispatch faces as they are aligned to path or not aligned to path. I will show in another post how it can be interesting to mix invariant oriented elements with elements following the path like in a barrier, a suspension bridge...

          http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray016th.jpg


          http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray017th.jpg

          (
          @click draw said:

          Very clever Simon....I'll be trying this for sure!
          thank you man! πŸ˜‰ )

          @click draw said:

          PS: I wonder if it would be possible to have a ruby called "Replace segment with Component"...nah....I doubt that could be written πŸ˜‰

          @chris fullmer said:

          Was TIG working on something that would replace a single line with a component and use the line scale and orientation to determine the scale and orientation of the component?

          In this case I think that orienting a face is an easiest way than orienting a line !?

          *simon

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          • T Offline
            thomthom
            last edited by 11 Nov 2009, 14:25

            Should try that with Remus' catenary curve...

            Thomas Thomassen β€” SketchUp Monkey & Coding addict
            List of my plugins and link to the CookieWare fund

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            • B Offline
              Bob James
              last edited by 11 Nov 2009, 18:53

              Thank you Simon: I can really understand the process now.

              However, you and I have a different definition of "fast and easy". πŸ˜†

              i7-4930K 3.4Ghz, 2x GTX780 6GB, 32GB DDR3-1600 ECC, OCZ Vertex 4 500GB, WD Black 3TB, 32TB NAS, 4x 27" Monitors, SpaceMouse Pro, X-keys XK-60

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              • S Offline
                simon le bon
                last edited by 11 Nov 2009, 23:44

                @thomthom said:

                Should try that with Remus' catenary curve...

                [plugin]Simple Catenary Curve
                ../ this is done.
                (I will explain latter-- 'm tired)

                http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray018th.jpg


                http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray019th.jpg

                Have a good night SCF fellows *s

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                • C Offline
                  Click Draw
                  last edited by 12 Nov 2009, 16:45

                  Anyone care to figure out what I am doing wrong. Not quite sure the proper setting for the axis on the component...See attached.

                  Thanks,

                  Jeff


                  segment_component.jpg


                  segment_component.skp

                  Have I mentioned how much of a laugh I get out of some of the Signatures on here!

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                  • C Offline
                    Click Draw
                    last edited by 14 Nov 2009, 03:14

                    That is great! I believe I understand. Basically, position the axis in the center so that the front and back end pivot at the same angle. I assume you just have the adjust the first and last component so they line up properly? Thanks again. I'll try it again. Merci Simon!

                    Cheers,

                    Jeff

                    Have I mentioned how much of a laugh I get out of some of the Signatures on here!

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                    • C Offline
                      Chris Fullmer
                      last edited by 14 Nov 2009, 09:21

                      And drawing inspiration from this thread, I just wrote a quick little script called component stringer. You can download it here:

                      http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=23616

                      It does essentially what Simon is showing.

                      Chris

                      Lately you've been tan, suspicious for the winter.
                      All my Plugins I've written

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                      • S Offline
                        simon le bon
                        last edited by 14 Nov 2009, 10:09

                        Hi Jeff (big work had taken me out of reply)

                        Thank you for trying. It is interesting because it shows me what I have to explain further (but it's a "WorkInProgress" also to me! πŸ˜† ).

                        The very basic theory to understand is that our components are not aligned to segments of the curve but are drop on faces (perpendicularly ).


                        http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray021th.jpg

                        You have focused an important point: the first and last faces are perpendicular to first and last segment of the curve. So they represent a particular case. If we want a very precise result, we have to realign them with the same angle of the others πŸ˜‰

                        http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray022th.jpg

                        Second thing important to understand in doing this way: The process remain aproximativ . Not depending of the variations of the curve, the welding is "à peu près"!!

                        http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray023th.jpg


                        http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray024th.jpg

                        Your component was empty from axes and significant Construction Points. I have added them.

                        http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray025th.jpg

                        Your are right. The position of component's axes is absolutely fundamental. the good origin is pointed to be positioned on the apex of the triangles(?english~~)

                        http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray026th.jpg


                        http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray027th-1.jpg

                        Your curve, your component, your chain!

                        http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/CopyArray028th.jpg

                        πŸ˜‰ simon.

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                        • E Offline
                          Ecuadorian
                          last edited by 14 Nov 2009, 19:10

                          Thank you, Chris! πŸ‘

                          -Miguel Lescano
                          Subscribe to my house plans YouTube channel! (30K+ subs)

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                          • S Offline
                            simon le bon
                            last edited by 14 Nov 2009, 21:21

                            Hi Chris,

                            It's a great pleasure to discover that you were looking apart silently and suddenly come to drop a top cool tool! Component Stringer

                            You have decided to make the components follows the lines rather than faces.

                            @chris fullmer said:

                            Was TIG working on something that would replace a single line with a component and use the line scale and orientation to determine the scale and orientation of the component? Something about that sounds familiar...

                            Chris


                            http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/clfCompntStringer001th.jpg


                            http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/clfCompntStringer002th.jpg

                            The result is that this tool is wonderful for necklaces

                            http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/clfCompntStringer008th.jpg

                            And we have not to use it for imbricated components

                            http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/SketchUp/clfCompntStringer006th.jpg

                            One more time, many thanks to you dear Chris,

                            *simon

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                            • E Offline
                              Ecuadorian
                              last edited by 14 Nov 2009, 21:33

                              So, Jeff, how is that SketchUp model of Doc Ock coming along? πŸ˜„

                              -Miguel Lescano
                              Subscribe to my house plans YouTube channel! (30K+ subs)

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                              • C Offline
                                Click Draw
                                last edited by 15 Nov 2009, 01:01

                                Hey Miguel,

                                I might be able to do the arms now but I'll still suck at modeling Doc Oc. I need to put way more hours in to organic shape modeling!!! 😞

                                Hope everyones weekend is going well....

                                Cheers,

                                Jeff

                                Have I mentioned how much of a laugh I get out of some of the Signatures on here!

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                                • E Offline
                                  Ecuadorian
                                  last edited by 15 Nov 2009, 01:10

                                  Have you tried importing a Make Human model into Wings 3D or Silo and tweaking there? Then you can import the Wings 3D model to SU and add the robotic arms.

                                  -Miguel Lescano
                                  Subscribe to my house plans YouTube channel! (30K+ subs)

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                                  • C Offline
                                    Click Draw
                                    last edited by 15 Nov 2009, 02:13

                                    I'll for sure check those out, thank you. I would still like to get decent at organic in Sketchup though. Here is a quick try at Chris's new ruby. I love it! Nice to be able to edit the component and see it update instantly. Thanks again Chris!

                                    Jeff


                                    follow_path.jpg

                                    Have I mentioned how much of a laugh I get out of some of the Signatures on here!

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                                    • S Offline
                                      simon le bon
                                      last edited by 15 Nov 2009, 21:24

                                      I pursue the study of my proceeding despite Chris's "Component Stringer" because for the moment(But Chris is working to the speed of the iron horse!!), I think I can master better -the welding of components imbricated, -the mix of various components along the path, _the mix of components following the path with components invariant in orientation.

                                      @bob james said:

                                      However, you and I have a different definition of "fast and easy". πŸ˜†

                                      Here is a realtime video (no editing) to show how fast is the process.
                                      We start with a curve and a component.

                                      http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj245/Spendauballet/videos/copyarrayalongpath04.gif

                                      *simon

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                                      • S Offline
                                        simon le bon
                                        last edited by 19 Nov 2009, 22:40

                                        Some help to produce the component to copy along a path.

                                        I)Put the good axes:

                                        If it is for you like for me 😳 , positionning axes of the component I want to copy along a path is not so evident.
                                        So, make a cube, make it as a component, and......
                                        [flash=500,405:284ps2pd]http://www.youtube.com/v/z81CNzCE4V0[/flash:284ps2pd]

                                        II)How to conceive a chain link:
                                        Using one or other method to produce a chain, necklace and many others fences and so on, you will need to think about the shape of the links.
                                        Here is my tip. Just think to draw a portion of curve with the smallest radius you think you are going to use for your path...
                                        [flash=500,405:284ps2pd]http://www.youtube.com/v/PG8aK7fC2LA[/flash:284ps2pd]

                                         :wink: simon
                                        
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                                        • Y Offline
                                          yiannosh
                                          last edited by 19 Nov 2009, 22:47

                                          Hi,

                                          Can anyone help me how to download the ruby. It's my first visit to the forum ...

                                          Thanks,

                                          YiannosH

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