[Plugin Beta] Curviloft 1.2d - 13 Apr 12 (Loft & Skinning)

[spence]

This Curviloft tool looks so so nice, I'm way to excited, I can hardly wait. I have been thinking ever since you scripter wizards have been creating these awesome tools for SketchUp. Why Google has not purchased them up and integrated them into the software? Fredo I can hardly wait

[vidy]

Me too.. Me too..

[SU Reviewer]

Looking forward to this one! Looks like it is much easier to use than the Soap Skin and Extrude Edges set.

[fredo6]

I decided to release the script under Open Beta Program, even if it is not fully functional and debugged.
The reason is that it may take me a while to finish it due to other commitments.

By Open Beta program, I mean that it is open to all users, but everyone has to be aware of limitations and potential crashes before using it.

As usual, it is highly recommended to save your work before exercising the script. Bugsplats are always possible and never far!

In the first release Curviloft 1.0a (with LibFredo6 3.5a), only Loft by Spline is almost fully functional. Loft Along Path and Skinning still suffers from many limitations, missing features and bugs. Also, for these two functions, it is preferable to use the Manual selection mode.

In case you encounter problems, limitations or have suggestions, please post in the present thread. I will try to advise on what can be fixed or is planned already.

Again, this is a BETA version, not documented and not fully functional.

Download and some information in the main post, at http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=28586#p248195

Fredo

[Rich O Brien]

Hi Fredo,

thanks for releasing this for testing! Great work so far

Hopefully the beta will iron out the bugs.

[CadFather]

Thanks Fredo, couldn't find the loader though.. (bet you cant't wait to release it!)

[Rich O Brien]

I thought it was just me? Been playing around in Libfredo Default Parameters trying to see if it's linked to that?

Have you failed to upload the .rb/rbs?

There's a _Loader .rb in the CurviLoft folder...i'm afraid to play though

[fredo6]

I thought it was just me? Been playing around in Libfredo Default Parameters trying to see if it's linked to that?

Have you failed to upload the .rb/rbs?

There's a _Loader .rb in the CurviLoft folder...i'm afraid to play though

oops. I forgot the loader ZLoader__Curviloft.rb (although it is one line code, it is useful). It is now included in the download section of the main post.
see http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=28586&p=248195#p248195

Fredo

[Rich O Brien]

Thanks Fredo, working like a dream...

[c.plassais]

Thanks Fredo

a great plugin and a very nice presentation

Christophe

[SketchMan]

First of all i would like to say Hi to all of you.
Then i must say to you Fredo. THANKS for this great plugin. You are the man. Keep up the good work...
(PS. will send you some money when i can afford it)

Now i must go and play with this greate new cool stuff..

[tue.tue]

Thank you very much Fredo

[Panga]

Thanks Fredo, I'll give you feedback for sure !!

Regards

[Ben Ritter]

Fredo, a most gracious and appreciative "thank you".

[cmeed]

this is amazing, thank you very much!

when i saw the preview i wondered if this would be able to handle this dilemma.

A seat i recently designed needed an end that curved round and formed the back rest. I've just played for 20mins on the beta and i'm struggling. can curviloft help?

cheers
chris

[Daniel S]

Thank you Fredo!!!

The loft tool works very well. All seems very user friendly... and that is very difficult in tools like this ones. The use of your hoverselect tool in the manual selection makes it very simple too.

In the release note you say that there are some limitations and unfinished work.
Modify vertex matching by selecting a vertex and dragging it to a new position inside the floating palette is a limitation or a unfinished feature?. That would be awesome.

And is possible to allow SketchUp remember the last position of the floating palette? In the default position I have to move it always because there I have all the SU tools there.

Captura.JPG

Daniel S

PS. Can´t wait for the other tools Hope that you can realease more beta versions before the "official release".

[fredo6]

A seat i recently designed needed an end that curved round and formed the back rest. I've just played for 20mins on the beta and i'm struggling. can curviloft help?

cheers
chris

I think you need to draw first the rails that give the shape of the junction, making sure that each surface would be closed by 4 or 3 curves. Then you can apply the Skinning function.

Fredo

[fredo6]

In the release note you say that there are some limitations and unfinished work.
Modify vertex matching by selecting a vertex and dragging it to a new position inside the floating palette is a limitation or a unfinished feature?. That would be awesome.

This is rather an unfinished feature. Actually, this is why you have a preview zone in the floating palette, because editing on the model, with faces hiding vertices may be less convenient.

And is possible to allow SketchUp remember the last position of the floating palette? In the default position I have to move it always because there I have all the SU tools there.
Daniel S

Also an unfinished feature

PS. Can´t wait for the other tools Hope that you can realease more beta versions before the "official release".

The other tools work but may have more issues and unfinished features.

Fredo

[vidy]

Hai Fredo, thanks for this pre release ver, im really excited with this capability, thanks againn

regards,

[cmeed]

I think you need to draw first the rails that give the shape of the junction, making sure that each surface would be closed by 4 or 3 curves. Then you can apply the Skinning function.

Fredo[/quote]

Thanks but i couldn't get the rails working with this. I don't understand it completely yet. i need to wait till the documentation comes out as i seem to find myself with alot of colourful lines with 7,8,9 written on them.

But on the up side i worked the path method see pics YES!

[charly2008]

This is a new milestone. I find this tool opens up new design possibilities. The loft tool works very well and easy to understand. Especially because the geometry of the forms can be calculated in advance. Thanks for this wonderful tool.

The last image below is an almost perfect Moebius band. Unfortunately, the last segment is not closed.

[TIG]

Fredo

This is already too impressive

[fredo6]

Here is the Moebius ribbon with closure

Curviloft Moebius.png

Fredo

[hgdn]

Fredo,
Great impact for SU users in creating 3d models. With yours I am not afraid of creating 3d models from now on..still new!!! Easy and powerful plugins eventhough you give bug warnings but I have not seen any thing so far!!
Genius and generous Fredo

[lapx]

I've tried it as well. Thanks Fredo for such a wonderful tool. Can you get it to maintain a sharp edge? I noticed it round the corners. Would be nice to have this as an option if available.

[Ruturaj]

Thank you Fredo Sir,

you are great
Many Many Many THANK you.

I'm shocked man

This plugin is very helpful thank you.

[TIG]

I've tried it as well. Thanks Fredo for such a wonderful. Can you get it to maintain a sharp edge? I noticed it round the corners. Would be nice to have this as an option if available.

These tools do work very well....
The form is auto-smoothed ? You can always select the resultant group and right-click > soften, and set sliders to 0 and all edges will un-smooth/un-soften etc...
or view > hidden_geometry toggle to 'on' and use erase+ctrl+shift to un-soften wiped edges [also remember that erase+ctrl softens wiped edges and erase+shift hides wiped edges - but you must select hidden lines to unhide them using entity info, as there is not erase >> unhide equivalent key-combo...]

[massimo]

Already a must-have plugin. Thank you Fredo.

[charly2008]

Some ideas with Grow and Curviloft

[charly2008]

In some forms it comes to interesting but not unanticipated results.