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

[simon le bon]

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! ).

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

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

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"!!

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

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~~)

Your curve, your component, your chain!

simon.

[Click Draw]

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

[Chris Fullmer]

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

viewtopic.php?f=180&t=23616

It does essentially what Simon is showing.

Chris

[Ecuadorian]

Thank you, Chris!

[simon le bon]

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.

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

The result is that this tool is wonderful for necklaces

And we have not to use it for imbricated components

One more time, many thanks to you dear Chris,

*simon

[Ecuadorian]

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

[Click Draw]

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

[Ecuadorian]

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.

[Click Draw]

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

[simon le bon]

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.

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

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

*simon

[simon le bon]

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......


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...


simon

[yiannosh]

Hi,

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

Thanks,

YiannosH

[simon le bon]

Hi YiannosH

A Fresh Welcome to you in our SketchUp Community.

Chris Fullmer's "Component Stringer"

And here all Chris's Plugins:

++simon

[simon le bon]

The "How To" of my suspension bridge.

Three Components and One curve.

Et Voila!

Remus_Simple Catenary Curve

ChrisFullmer Plugins

Weld.rb v:3.0

Jim_Construction Line Tool

DBur_Lines to tubes

Kirill _ 2 Faces + Path ver. 1.4

Fredo_BezierSpline v1.21

TIG_TrueTangents v1.9

[notareal]

Great tutorial. Worth to copy for safe keeping!

[simon le bon]

Hi NotaReal!

You are greatly helping me for my first feet steps with Kerkythea.

Here are some renders dedicated to you

++simon