[Plugin] Gradient Tools

This set of tools adds text-tages to lines/faces giving the gradient as 1:nnn
There are also 'relink' options to update them after changing geometry - unfortunately the EntityObserver onEntityChange doesn't pick up any edge/vertex changes automatically! Aaaargh!

(c) TIG 2010

gradienttools.rb goes into Plugins folder.

Usage:

[flash=600,338:3iwrudlj]http://www.youtube.com/v/biRTVCPfszg[/flash:3iwrudlj]

Tag Lines:

Select some stuff including the desired Edges.
Pick Plugins Menu Item 'Gradient Tools...' > 'Lines'
ot type 'gradientline' into the Ruby Console.
Text is added at center of the Edges says something like
'1:60' or '1:25.125' or 'HORIZONTAL' or 'VERTICAL'
[if no more than 1mm difference between end levels].
Text is put on layer 'GRAD-LINE'.
See below on how to adjust the default text offset 'vec='...
You can move the text-tag using the Text tool - this location remembered on
Relinking although the arrow will relocate to the Edge's midpoint if appropriate.

Tag Faces:

Select some stuff including the desired Faces.
Pick Plugins Menu Item 'Gradient Tools...' > 'Faces'
ot type 'gradientface' into the Ruby Console.
Text is added at center of the Face says something like
'1:60' or '1:25.125' or 'HORIZONTAL' or 'VERTICAL'
[if no more than 1mm difference between end levels].
Text is put on layer 'GRAD-FACE'.
See below on how to adjust the default text offset 'vec='...
You can move the text-tag using the Text tool - this location remembered on
Relinking although the arrow will relocate to the Face's center if appropriate.

Relink Line Tags:

This relinks any tagged Edges - using the current gradient for the updated Text
and the current Edge's midpoint for the arrow [relocated text is not moved].
EntityObservers fail on edges/vertices if they are just moved so they can't be used.

Relink Face Tags:

This relinks any tagged Faces - using the current gradient for the updated Text
and the current Face's center for the arrow [relocated text is not moved].

Relink ALL Tags:

This runs 'Relink Line Tags' and 'Relink Face Tags' at the same time.

Donations:
by PayPal.com to info@revitrev.org
Version:
1.0 20100812 First Issue as linegradient.rb
1.1 20100813 Renamed 'gradienttools.rb'. 'Gradient Tools...' submenu added.
Split into tools for 'Lines' and 'Faces'.
Layer GRAD-LINE/GRAD-FACE used. Text-tag now 'tied' to Edge/Face
and changes to match the Edge/Face if 'Relink' option used.
1.2 20100813 Downward pointing faces will now report the correct slope.
1.3 20100814 'Relink ALL Tags' menu option added.
gradienttools.rb

@hebeijianke said:

...When I use "Tag Faces"
It tags always "VERTICAL" or "HORIZONTAL"
Is it right？
Should be the same with LINES [edges] AND FACES
A vertical/near-vertical Face/Line = VERTICAL
A horizontal/near-horizontal Face/Line = HORIZONTAL
ALL other slopes return 1:NNN values ?
You need to 'Relink' if you change a Face or Line's vertex...
Could you post an example SKP showing us where this happens?

I understand! Any face that is facing 'down' returns 'VERTICAL'...
It was intended for roof/land-form slopes which are not usually upside down...
BUT it's an easy fix... I'll post an update asap...

Here's v1.2 20100813 Downward pointing faces will now report the correct slope.
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=264130#p264130

@pixero said:

For a moment I thought you had found a way of making gradient materials...

It simply reports the gradients of edges and faces and tags them - all edge/facetags can be relinked to an edge/face ob a menu click. They are put on their own layers for ease of management.
The use it's intended for is reporting and controlling the gradients of landforms and paths - as you make adjustments you can relink and see if the falls are still acceptable - i.e. not too flat or too steep.
You can also use it on roofs - checking that 'flat' roofs have adequate falls, tiled/slated/shingle roofs have suitable slopes and valleys etc are steep enough.
The tool tags edges or faces as I found that sometimes you need edges like valley centerlines but it's possible to have a face with no edges directly up/down the gradient, then you need to tag the face gradient...

[You can make Gradient Materials using a suitably graded Texture Image - see http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=149747#p149747 ]

Here's v1.3 20100814 A 'Relink ALL Tags' menu option has been added.
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=264130#p264130

@unknownuser said:

@pixero said:

For a moment I thought you had found a way of making gradient materials...

Would it be possible to make this, TIG?

See the link - it's already been done ? Or am I missing something ??

My Roof tool also has a function to report the angle of a picked roof slope in degrees, A:12 and A:B format...