[Plugin] BezierSpline v1.4f - 23 Jan 11 (upgrade SU8)

[fredo6]

BezierSpline 1.3 and earlier versions have a bug with SU8 (Edition of curves is not possible). If you run SU8, it is strongly advised to install BezierSpline 1.4

BezierSpline draws a variety of Polylines, Bezier and Spline curves, all in 3D. The present release gathers all extensions, including those published recently (Courbette, Catmull, F-Spline, DogBone, T_Bone, Polyline for Animation, etc…).

• All curves are based on a sequence of control points, which is entered by the user in interactive mode.
• A Precision parameter allows to adjust the number of segments when the curve is generated.
• For some curves, there may be extra parameters, accessible via the TAB key.
• All curves can be later edited. You can move, delete, add control points
• As of version 1.4, you can also transform a curve of one type into a curve of another type, both sharing the same control points.

Here is a comparison between the different Splines, based on the same Control points:

Comparison curves.jpg

Note: The doc is slightly outdated, but gives an overview of the essential features. All PDF files are also available from the menu "Draw > BezierSpline curves > Documentation..."

Quickcard BezierSpline - English - v1.2.pdf

Quickcard BezierSpline - French - v1.2.pdf

Quickcard BezierSpline - Portuguese - v1.2.pdf

Tutorial BezierSpline - English - v1.2.pdf

• Language: English, French, Portuguese, Hungarian, German, Spanish (thanks to all kind translators).
• Menus: by default, it is installed in Draw > BezierSpline curves…
• Icon toolbar: Most of the tools are present on the toolbar (unfortunately, not adjustable unless you remove the icon files in BZ_Dir_14/IMAGES_CadFather)

1) Download and Open the archive
2) Select All (Ctrl A)
3) Extract into the Sketchup Plugin Directory
4) Answer YES to overwrite all existing files if any

The footprint in the SU Plugin Directory must be:

• bezierspline.rb
• LibTraductor.rb (dated 10 Nov 10)
• BZ_Dir_14 folder

On Mac the SU plugin directory should be:
Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 7/SketchUp/plugins

IMPORTANT: You should delete any BZ__***.rb files that may exist in the SU Plugins folder. You should also delete the subfolder BZ_Dir if it exists. You can also delete the subfolder BZ_Dir_13.

CAUTION: NEVER rename or move files from their folders. If you are unsure of your unzip operation, do it in a neutral folder and check that you reconstruct the right footprint. Then transfer the folders and files to the SU Plugin Directory.

DOWNLOAD BezierSpline 1.4f – 23 Jan 11

BezierSpline 1.4f - 23 Jan 11.zip

There is a remarkable tutorial on BezierSpline written by Scott Onstott at http://www.aecbytes.com/tipsandtricks/2009/issue42-sketchup.html. It will drive you with a step-by-step tour of the plugin.[/color]

Curves are created by entering the control points. By default, all curves, except Classic Bezier requires to enter control points in sequence. Classic Bezier requires entering the first and last points, and then the other middle points.

You can later Edit a selected curve via the contextual menu “BZ - Edit <name of curve>….”
You can also Convert or Transform a curve via the contextual menu “BZ – Convert….” and “BZ – Transform (control points)….”

• You can enter the precision in the VCB as a number followed by ‘s’
• For loops, you can specify the number of segments as a number followed by ‘c’
• Type F8 to close the curve by a segment
• Type F9 to close the curve by a nice curve (based on Bezier)
• Type TAB to access a dialog box for extra parameters when applicable
• Type F5 to toggle the visibility of vertex (displayed as small blue points)
• It is always a good idea to check the contextual menu to see which options are available

BezierSpline 1.4f – 23 Jan 11:

• Improve performance for contextual menu when selection is big (thanks to ThomThom and Jim for signaling)

BezierSpline 1.4e – 10 Nov 10:

• Integrated the Spanish translation by Oxer

BezierSpline 1.4 – 07 Nov 10: bug fixing

• Fix an issue concerning contextual menu performance for huge models

BezierSpline 1.4 – 02 Sep 10: Important update

• Fix a bug for state of the toolbar on Mac
• Added a menu to check for updates on Sketchucation (it links to this post)
• Integrated updated icons by CadFather

BezierSpline 1.4 – 16 Aug 10: Important update

• Several bugs fixed
• Transformation of curves based on sharing control points

BZ Transform.gif

BezierSpline 1.3 – 31 Jan 10: Stable version

[tomasz]

Thanks a lot Fredo!
Tomasz

[AndriyG81]

thank you very much, amazin update

[watkins]

Dear Frodo,

Many thanks for all your hard work. I have downloaded your files for a fresh install, but note that LibTraductor.rb is not there in the unzipped folder. This is not a problem for those who already have your plugin as they can use the existing file, but it might be a problem for new users unless LibTraductor.rb is a native SU file (is it?).

Does one leave the desired icons inside their folder or move them up one to the BZ_Dir folder?

Kind regards,
Bob

[fredo6]

You are right, thanks. I completely forgot LibTraductor.rb (which not Sketchup native, but mine). Actually, for those using my other plugins, it is present anyway, but for newcomers, it wouldbe missing.

I updated the archive in the main message of this post.

For the cions, I don't understand what you mean. Can you clarify.

Thanks

Fredo

[sepo]

Thanks Fredo...your efforts to help comunity is really great.

[watkins]

Dear Frodo,

Inside the BZ_Dir folder you have two folders: IMAGES_CADFather and IMAGES_ Standard.

Does one leave the icons inside these folders or does one move the icons of choice into the BZ-Dir folder?

Kind regards,
Bob

[fredo6]

Bob,

The old icons are in IMAGES_Standard, but by default you get CadFather's ones. Unfrotunately, this Plugin is still behind my others, and I don't provide an easy option to switch between icon collections.
If you have your owns, drop them into the IMAGES_CadFather folder.
The convention is _24 and _16 for large and small icons.

[watkins]

Dear Fredo,

All working fine. Thanks for everything.

Regards,
Bob

[Whaat]

This is quality work Fredo. Thanks very much!

[CadFather]

hats off for Fredo!

[putnik]

Fredo6, much appreciated! Thanks for taking the time to put all the bits and pieces together.

[mateo soletic]

Thank You.

[CadFather]

...is there a way to divide a curve by an equal number of segments or am i talking a different plug in?

[plot-paris]

thanks a lot fredo. it is great to find everything in one place. now I can be sure to have the latest version

...is there a way to divide a curve by an equal number of segments or am i talking a different plug in?

interesting question indeed (although I believe we should just read your manual )

[viga1978]

Thank you

[marne]

Thanks Fredo, very useful!

[urs0815]

great tool!
great update!
thank you!!!

[CadFather]

interesting question indeed (although I believe we should just read your manual )

you're right there PlotParis, i do read 'too fast' sometimes.. so i went and reread it but what i am looking for is not the precision parameter (think that's what you mean) - rather a way of dividing the spline.. perhaps like we do for a simple line (right click, divide) or by input box.

when i change the precision points and then explode the curve - the split segments do not match the change.

the idea is to use the bezier curve for flightpath - the option of changing the division would give a handle on smoother frame transitions etc..

am i on a path?

[plot-paris]

CadFather, I have to admit, I didn't mean anything. just had the situation several times, that I was looking for some function with fredo's plugins for hours - but everything was explained in detail in his superb manuals

ah, I see, you want to use it for flightpath. I think to have an even distribution of segments is not necessary, for flightpath automatically adjusts each scene transition time to match a constant speed (at least flightpath2 does it).
I tend to reset these modified times to default (with the TimeTransitionEditor script of the Presentation bundle (14$ at smustard) so that I can influence the animation speed with differing segment distribution along the curve...

but nonetheless I would appreciate a tool that creates an even distribution of segments throughout the whole curve. would come in quite handy sometimes. if you extrude the shape to have a curved wall for example. if all the segments are the same length it is far easier to use the same window component on this wall...

[johnsenior1973]

Thanks for this great plugin.

For me, one of the huge benefits is that it is now possible to draw much better with Sketchup. The normal Freehand draw tool in Sketchup is, quite frankly, pretty much useless. Now there's no need to use the Freehand tool, the Cubic Bezier Curve works so much better.

[CadFather]

yes... at the moment i am doing exactly the same with PresBundle - but suppose you have a path with curves, knowing the constant segment of each camera can be useful.. (i'd love the same ease as 'divide')
when you reach the curve, splitting in two gives half transition time without having to try it out first

another use is the copy along path, since it behaves a bit different when copying by spacing and by nodes.. surely more would follow.. interesting.. hope Fredo's loves the idea too.. for now this is all Fredo Grace!

..and thanks for the manual!

[fredo6]

...is there a way to divide a curve by an equal number of segments or am i talking a different plug in?

The answer should be YES.
If you have a curve, generated by BezierSpline or from native Sktechup, you can convert it to a Polyline with equal segments by 2 methods which are delivered as part of BezierSpline (via the contextual menu "Convert to":

1) Polyline Divider: you specify the interval, and the extension computes the number of segments

2) Polyline Segmentor: you specify the number of segments, and the extensions computes the length of segments

Note that all segments will be equal, except possibly the last one (but you can adjust the last vertex anyway).

Here is an example: On the left is a regular B-Spline. On the right, the curve converted by PolyLine Divider. You can modify the interval by typing TAB and setting the value in the dialog box appearing.

Divider Polyline.jpg

Hope this helps

Fredo

[CadFather]

Many Thanks Fredo ..that will do just fine for now.

(think i'm going to make a request for curve divider)

[plot-paris]

fantastic, fredo! it is really great. every time I am looking for some function of your bezier curve tool, it already exists.
(and surely we would have found out ourselves, if we read your manual carefully
what do we learn from that? READ FREDO'S MANUALS!!!)

[CadFather]

..and he actualy writes them really well!

[cyan.archnet]

THANKS A WHOLE LOT for the update!

[OTB Designworks]

Thanks! Your plugins are awesome and quite appreciated, not to mention as useful as anything in SU.

[flyashy]

Again, Thank You!
Ashy

[chrischancc]

so a gorgeous plugin!!