[Plugin Idea] Lines / Arcs that 'follow me'

[utiler]

Hey guys, does anyone think a 'Follow me' tool for lines would be handy? I don't know how many times I want to create a flashing or something similar that has a known edge length but is different in profile each time...!

I would love to see the "Follow me' tool extended support this; shouldn't all that hard I wouldn't think but would just make simple tasks so much quicker..

I have used Didier's Extrudeline tool but it only works for a single run. Not sure if there's anything else around that I have missed, please tell me if I have!!

Later.

[TIG]

My ExtrudeEdgesByVector lets you preselect edges/arcs etc and then pick the vertices of any multi-edged path in turn [or free-pick 'in space', with axial constraints from holding the shift-key etc]. It will usually keep a curve's 'smoothness' in any extruded faces too...

Alternatively ExtrudeEdgesByVectorToObject is similar, but takes just two points, and if the second point is 'beyond' intervening object[s] then the extruded edges will stop at the object[s] and intersect/trim to the object[s] - this is useful if you want to extrude 'wall edges' selected in plan up to the underside of a curved roof, or down onto a 3d site mesh, or various selected 'wall ends' across to meet other walls etc...

[utiler]

Thanks for chiming in, TIG! Just the man to talk too...

I am aware of EEByV but it only wants to work for me over one segment.
Say I want to run a simple Barge flashing to a roof. I import the flashing profile as a welded segment; position it and rotate it to the roof pitch. Now I want to select it and run a 'follow me' if you will that adjusts the profile perpendicular to the required path.... EEByV allows the follow me for the first segment but does not alter the profile for proceeding paths.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Also, don't have EEByVtoO; maybe I need to update!!
Thanks mate.

[mitcorb]

Hi, utiler:
If I understood your request, I think you could try EExRails. You wish to extrude a profile along a path? Select all edges in the path, Weld them. Place your profile of edges at the path start. I welded the profile too. Select the EExRails tool. It will ask for path rail, then profile, then a "guide rail" select your path for this. Then it will ask for melding profile, select your starting profile, then your flashing will be completed and then some tidy up questions. See if this works for you.
best wishes.

[redlerred7]

or you could use curviloft. Hi, I'm new by the way.

[utiler]

Thanks Mitcorb and ReD [welcome BTW!]

I'll have a play and see what works.

[sdmitch]

Andrew, Are you still looking for a solution to this problem?

[utiler]

Yeah mate, I am. EEbyVector doesn't allow for the profile to follow a path as Profile builder or follow me does.
It would be neat to be able to select a preset profile [say flashing] and locate it in position then extrude it by picking a path or selecting the lines of the path.
Have tried Curviloft but there must be an easier way.

Just like Follow me or PB.

BTW, how did you go with those stairmaker ideas?

cheers,

[TIG]

You can of course make a face of the 'profile' and use Followme OR FollowmeAndKeep [FAK] the edit the group to tidy up in inadvertent smoothing... and the unwanted edges/faces etc...
I'll look at a EEbyPath tool ? when I get some spare time - not likely for a while

[sdmitch]

Andrew, I'm working on them plus a plugin that does a Follow Me with an edge. Both are 90%+ complete.

[utiler]

You can of course make a face of the 'profile' and use Followme OR FollowmeAndKeep [FAK] the edit the group to tidy up in inadvertent smoothing... and the unwanted edges/faces etc...
I'll look at a EEbyPath tool ? when I get some spare time - not likely for a while

Thanks TIG, I do that at times....(make face)

EEbyPath tool would pretty much complete your tool set IMO.

Cheers,

[utiler]

Andrew, I'm working on them plus a plugin that does a Follow Me with an edge. Both are 90%+ complete.

You're the man, Sam!!!!!

[sdmitch]

Andrew, Try this plugin, hopefully it will do what you need.

The profile to be extruded, must be made into a curve. Use Weld or simuliar
plugin to combine the entities defining the profile. The profile should be
at the start of the extrusion path. If a path is pre-selected, the start
and end will be labled. Use right or left arrow keys to reverse the line
if needed. If a path is not pre-selected, click on the profile and drag
to extrude the profile to any length and direction.

[Pilou]

With these 2 arcs seems there a little glitch

2arcs.jpg

[sdmitch]

Pilou, I'm sure their will be a lot of "glitches" but hopefully it works in a majority of cases.

[TIG]

Good first go...
I recommend that you put the newly created geometry inside a 'group.entities' container.
Then you can ask if the user wants to smooth the extrusion [it already is!] and explode the group etc...
It's easy made with a @gp=@ent.add_group() and @gents=@gp.entities references...
I am getting mixed results too... also and the start/end labels are not [always] vanishing on the 'exit'; you have given them a @ reference so just have all of your 'endings' methods use @ent.erase_entities(@start_label,@end_label) etc...

[Pilou]

Must be no glitch else nobody want to go on an airplane!