[Plugin] Project Beam (Update)

[sdmitch]

Yes, an update already. Made changes so that the face defining the cross-section of the beam is truly projected first. Faces projected to or from do not have to be vertical. If projection is not possible then the beam is made the length of the direction edge.

viewtopic.php?f=79&t=42527&p=378752#p378752

If you need to construct a beam between vertical faces along a inclined line, Followme insists on making the face perpendicular to the edge to be followed so the beam has square ends instead of the angled ones needed. Project Beam solves that problem by projecting the points of the face from one vertical face to the other using the edge to determine vector and distance.

[Dave R]

Sweet! I can see a number of uses for this. Thank you.

[g_wilson]

Oh Darn - only works in two cases for me. If two faces are parallel to each other and Z plane - one above the other and the "to be" projected shape is drawn on the lower face with line at any angle drawn to the higher face - then it works. Second case if lower face is parallel to Z plane but higher face is tilted at some angle;"to be" projected shape drawn on lower face;line drawn to higher tilted face - it works. Third case - two parallel faces one above the other - shape to be projected drawn on higher face - line drawn down to lower face - projected shape goes UP proper distance - not DOWN to lower face. Fourth case (actually two cases) - two vertical parallel faces - to be projected shape drawn on either vertical face - lines drawn between vertical faces - both of these draw projected shape (as face only but with shape at both ends as part of that face) perpendicular to vertical faces (same plane). SU 8 and XP SP3 if it matters - and all kinds of plugins - no sketchyphysics no driving dimensions plugin.

[g_wilson]

Double darn - case 2 doesn't work - tried several times again to be sure - doesn't work. Confuses me.

[pbacot]

Both end faces of the final shape will be parallel to the original face that is extruded. I don't find a restriction on the orientation to axes so far.
I think the direction the edge is drawn (away from the face) is the direction the beam is made.

[sdmitch]

The edge should always be drawn from the selected face to the opposite end of the beam. The faces projected from and projected to are assummed to be parallel in the current version.

[g_wilson]

The edge should always be drawn from the selected face to the opposite end of the beam. The faces projected from and projected to are assummed to be parallel in the current version.

Yes,that's what I am doing. Forgetting non-parallel faces;as far as parallel faces are concerned - it still does the same - even with an enormous horizontal offset. Only works with two parallel faces,one above the other;shape on lower face draw edge up to higher face. Does not work doing the opposite way - shape on higher face,draw edge down to lower face - result here is still shape is drawn up not down. It obviously works,but for whatever mystery,not for me. I start with "clean sheet" BTW. Tried in existing model as well - same thing.

[boilingsnow]

Very nice. sdmitch.

But I have to say some other existing plugins do the same work. Such as "pushpull faces along vector" in the Projection toolbar of D. Bur (was a standalone plugin "pushpull tool" since sketchup 4).

Or "vector pushpull" in the "Joint Pushpull" toolbar of Fredo6...

[sdmitch]

g_wilson, Please download and try the new version. When I created the plugin, I tested it only to satisfy the criterior of the requestor. The new version corrects the problem caused by non-parallel faces. The only problem that I'm aware of at the moment is when the selected face only partially falls on the face projected to.


boiling, yes I am constantly re-inventing the wheel. Case in point TIG's Extrude Edges by Vector and Extrude Edges by Vector to Object.
viewtopic.php?t=25362

[g_wilson]

g_wilson, Please download and try the new version. When I created the plugin, I tested it only to satisfy the criterior of the requestor. The new version corrects the problem caused by non-parallel faces. The only problem that I'm aware of at the moment is when the selected face only partially falls on the face projected to.
viewtopic.php?t=25362

Congratulations Sir. It works without fail.
All previous problems gone. Even tried - two faces at some compound angle two each other with one face "square" to the world and with edge at some compound angle - it works no matter which face you start from. Nastiest example I can manage - two faces both nonplanar to each other and the world and edge at some random angle in all planes- it still works. One little oddity cropped up - using a hexagon it works but tells you that it can't match opposite face,will draw to length given by edge - no problem. But with a circle it DOES cope into the finishing face as long as the edge is within some small angle to one plane (XYZ) - just bloody wonderful if working with pipe or similar!! Great job !! Thank you !!

[sdmitch]

g_, the message you mentioned should only occur if the projected face does not completely fall on the face being projected to. It's an all or none.

[boilingsnow]

boiling, yes I am constantly re-inventing the wheel. Case in point TIG's Extrude Edges by Vector and Extrude Edges by Vector to Object.
viewtopic.php?t=25362

We should thank you as all the other authors here for creating useful plugins and share them with us.

I also tried to download all your plugins on your website.

But I find a problem as well. Did anyone tell you that you uploaded the video tutorial for "snappoint" twice and forgot to upload the plugin itself?

[sdmitch]

No you're the first. Thanks.

[raineysky]

Awesome plugin!!! Thank You Sam

***Please keep, "re-inventing the wheel". Your plugins are great.***