Overview of Slicer for SketchUp

A toolset to 'Slice' up a volume - useful in real-model making or finding likely areas in master plan volumes...

Contour Model

With Alignment Outlines

Quick Start for Slicer for SketchUp

Description:

Slicer is a SketchUp extension that provides a toolset to 'Slice' up a volume - useful in real-model making or finding likely areas in master plan volumes...

Activation:

It is loaded as an Extension and this may require initially activating from either the ... > Preferences > Extensions or the ... SketchUcation Extensions Manager dialog.

Menu:

Plugins > Slicer5 >
... 4 submenu items + Toolbar Toggle ON/OFF

Toolbar:

View > Toolbars > Slicer5 ... 4 button items

Font:

You MUST have the TXT.ttf Font installed - it is available in a ZIP file from the Tool's main 'Feedback' page... You can also download it directly from this link...

Model Head XY

Model Head XZ

Documentation for Slicer for SketchUp

#Copyright 2013-2014, TIG (c) Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided the above copyright notice appear in all copies.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

You will find the Slicer tools under the following menu location:

Plugins > Slicer5 > Slicer5

You can also activate the Slicer tools from the toolbar. To activate the toolbar you can do so from the following menu:

View > Toolbars > Slicer5 > Slicer5

Ruby Console:

TIG::Slicer.new()

Usage:

This tool is for Sketchup version >= v8.
The DXF export option is only available to v8-Pro users.
It requires the Sliced Object to be a Manifold Solid.

Select ONE suitable Group or Component-Instance and run Slicer5.

A dialog asks for the Slicer5 Parameters [these settings are remembered
and reused during the session until they are next changed].

Axis:

• X
  
• Y
  
• Z*
  
• XY
  
• XZ
  
• YZ
  
• A
  
• AZ
  
• R
  
• RZ
  
  *'Z' is the default
  
  The 'Axis' is the RGB/XYZ axis along which the Slices will be taken.
  If you choose a dual axis [XY/XZ/YZ or AZ or RZ] then Slices will be
  taken on those two axes and additional dialogs will appear. see later...
  There are two additional 'A' and 'R'.
  If you choose 'A' then a special dialog asks for the Angle of the
  vertical Slices around the Z_axis - see details later...
  If you choose 'R' the vertical Slices with be arranged 'Radially',
  offset from the Origin [0,0,0] - so locate the Sliced Object relative
  to the Origin as you require, BEFORE activating this tool...
  With this option the Inset_Start/End is always auto-set to '0', but if
  the Origin is outside of the bounds of the Sliced Object then the
  First/Last Slice are adjusted to inset from the subtended extremities so
  that their outermost sides align with the Sliced Object's extremities.
  With this option the Spacing is also auto-set to '0', and the Slices are
  equally spaced - therefore there is a dialog asking for the 'Number of
  Spaces', showing the Angle subtended from the Origin to the extremities
  of the Sliced Object. As with other axes if you specify say 7 Spaces
  you will get 8 Slices, unless the Origin is with or touching the bounds
  of the Sliced Object on a side, in which case the number of Slices is
  the number of Spaces. If the Origin is inside the Sliced Object then
  the rotated set of Slices will be spaced by the number specified, but
  because they'll all overlap the visual spaces will appear 'doubled',
  7 looking like 14 from the concentric 7 Slices.
  There is an 'AZ' option: this is like the 'A' Angled option
  combined with a second Sliced set in the Z-direction, like other dual-
  axis options you can add Slots etc, because of the slanting nature of
  results you might find that you need to make some manual adjustments to
  the form of some angled slices where they project through the 'skin' of
  the Sliced Object, particularly for Start/End Slices that are exactly on
  the extremities of the Object; therefore it's recommended you use
  Inset_Start/End Slices on the Angled Slices to ensure these Slices
  fall within the volume of the Sliced Object...
• see later...
  If the Axis==X/Y/Z/A and the Thickness==Spacing there is an
  additional dialog 'Add the Outlines of Adjacent Slices' - Yes/No.
  If you answer Yes then after the Slices have been made an additional
  status-bar message 'Outlining..' appears and 'The Adjacent Slices' are
  'imprinted' onto each Slice as appropriate - this 'Outline' is in the
  form of a group named 'OLIN', on layer 'SLCR-OLIN'. This may be useful
  when making certain types of models [like site contours], so as you
  build a physical model up from the bottom Slice [highest numbered]
  it will show the Outline of the next Slice above it which can help in
  aligning it - see Export section later...
  There is an 'RZ' option: this is like the 'R' Radial option
  combined with a second Sliced set in the Z-direction, like other dual-
  axis options you can add Slots etc, because of the slanting nature of
  results you might find that you need to make some manual adjustments to
  the form of some angled slices where they project through the 'skin' of
  the Sliced Object, particularly where Start/End Slices that are exactly
  on the extremities of the Object...
• see later...

Select the desires Axis from the list.

Spacing:

• default is 2" or 50mm
  Sets the center-to-center Spacing of the Slices.
  The slices are set-out 'Centralized' as specified - on Slice or Gap.
  The first and last Slices Spacings are automatically adjusted to fit
  within the bounds of the Sliced Object and any Insets [see below].
  The typed in value assumes current-units, you can add a suffix to use an
  alternative - e.g. if you are working in 'cm', typing '5' gives 5cm, or
  typing '50mm' gives 5cm too.
  If you enter 0 it assumes you want to set a total number of 'spacings',
  with the actual spacing dimension calculated and adjusted to suit -
  a second dialog will ask for details of this later [see below]...

Thickness:

• default is 1/8" or 3mm
  Sets the slice Thickness, it cannot be more than the Spacing.
  The typed in value assumes current-units, you can add a suffix to use an
  alternative - e.g. if you are working in 'cm', typing '5' gives 5cm, or
  typing '50mm' gives 5cm too.

Inset at Start:

• default 0
  Sets the first Slice's inset, 0=flush with Sliced Object's bounds.

Inset at End:

• default 0
  Sets the last Slice's inset, 0=flush with Sliced Object's bounds.

Centralization:

• default 'Slice'
  By default for a fixed Spacing the slices' creation starts centrally from the
  sliced-object's bounds center and it steps out in both directions equally,
  so you always get an odd number of slices.
  If you are slicing something that's 12" into 4" spacing with 4" thick slices
  then you get 3 slices, BUT if you chose 3" spacing and 3" thickness you would
  NOT get 4 BUT 5 slices, with the first and last slices overlapping by 1.5" ***.
  However, if you choose the alternative 'Centralization' by 'Gap' then the
  slicing generation shunts so that you get 4 sizes in the above example.
  So depending on the format of your slicing and your desire for odd or even slice
  counts, you can choose between Centering the slicing on the 'Slice' or on the 'Gap'...
  The Centralization setting will have no effect on 'R' [Radial] types of slicing,
  it but works with all Axial [XYZ] and 'A' [Angled] slicing formats...
  *** This Centralization setting also has no effect on the setting-out when you
  specify a '0' Spacing, since all of the slices will be 'evenly spaced' anyway -
  slices will be centered with an 'even' Spaces counts, and gaps centered with an
  'odd' Spaces count: with the actual Spacing of the slices auto-adjusted to suit
  the overall size of the object and number of Spaces you have specified.

Add References ?

• default 'Yes'
  Adds a 'TEXT' reference tag to the bottom-left corner of each Slice.
  Although the tag is always on the Slice's face plane, it might not
  always be on the face itself, but can be relocated manually as desired.
  If the 'Radial' option is chosen, then the tag's location is still on
  the plane of the Slice, BUT it might be located unexpectedly away from
  the bottom-left corner; this can also cause tags to overlap other Slices
  inside Flattened sets, but the tag or the Slices are easily relocated
  manually.
  If the system-font 'Txt.ttf' is installed, then it will be used to make
  a 'stick' font flat-text group [TEXT] on layer 'SLCR-TEXT'; otherwise
  the current 3d_Text font will be used.
  The Text Height is set in the next option...

Text Height:

• default 0.5" or 12mm
  Sets the Text Height of the Reference 'TEXT' [if specified].

Flatten ?

• default 'Yes'
  This makes a flattened set of the Slices.
  It is a group located to the max-extents of the Sliced Object.

'Cancel'

stops the tool

'OK'

runs the tool.

If you chose a dual axis [XY/XZ/YZ] then a second dialog asks
you for further options for the Slice2 set: its title/status-bar
displays the axis of the Slice2 set, typically 'Z' or 'Y':

Spacing:

• generally as the Spacing above...
  It defaults to that Spacing, but allows you to specify a different
  Spacing value for the second set of Slices.

Thickness:

• generally as the Thickness above...
  It defaults to that Thickness, but allows you to specify a different
  Thickness value for the second set of Slices.

Inset at Start:

• generally as the Inset at Start above...
• default Inset at Start
  Sets the first Slice2's inset, 0=flush with Sliced Object's bounds.

Inset at End:

• generally as the Inset at End above...
• default Inset at Start
  Sets the last Slice2's inset, 0=flush with Sliced Object's bounds.

Slot ?

• default is 'Yes' [but reverts to 'No' if Thickness==0].
  If 'Yes' this will 'Slot' the Intersecting Slices.
  BUT if either of the Slices' Thickness==0 then there will be no
  Slotting done, and the value of 'Slotting' defaults to 'No'.
  Note that adding 'Slots' greatly increases the processing time needed,
  but is often necessary is a 3d assembly is envisaged...

Tolerance:

If you are Slotting slices and using a CNC router it's advisable to
make the Slots slightly bigger than the Thickness - typically 0.2mm.
Half of the Tolerance is shaved off each of the sides of each Slot.
The total width of each Slot is thereby made bigger than its mating
Slots' Thickness by that additional Tolerance.
The default is 0.
Enter the required value.
If Slotting is set to 'No', Tolerance is auto-set to 0.

Overcut:

If you are Slotting slices and using a CNC router it's advisable to
make the Slots slightly longer so that the internal rounded corners left
by the router-bit do not foul the mating Slice's Slot ends.
This is sometimes called 'dog-boning' or 'mouse-ears'.
Typically you set this to be the router-bit diameter - say 3/4/5/6mm
[it'll be made half of this, as the router-bit's radius is always used]
The default is 0.
Enter the required value.
It should never be greater than the Thickness, because a router-bit of
that diameter wouldn't cut the Slot correctly anyway!
If 'Slotting' is set to 'No', Overcut is auto-set to 0.

'Cancel'

stops the tool

'OK'

runs the tool.

NOTE:

If you have specified a Spacing of '0' for an axis then
another dialog opens asking you for addition values for the 'Spaces'...

• default is 1 - Note that 1 is the minimum number of spaces in a Sliced
  set - producing a start and an end Slice only.
  The prompt shows the axis and the total size in current-units - e.g.
  'Spaces [X 1234mm]:'
  Enter the number of 'Spaces' required on that axis.
  For example, if you want the Slices to be around 50mm center-to-center
  then do a quick calculation - 1234/50=24.68, so use 24 or 25 spaces
  depending on those Slices' Thickness and your preferred 'gaps'...
  If you simply want a central Slice type in 2 Spaces, or for 2 internal
  Slices use 3 Spaces etc...
  If you have specified a dual axis [XY/XZ/YZ] AND have entered a
  Spacing=0 for BOTH axes, then there will be a second option added to the
  dialog, e.g. for an XY axis set:
  'Spaces [X 1234mm]:'
  'Spaces [Y 5678mm]:'
  Enter the required 'Number of Spaces' for both axes.

You may use this approach instead of the Centralization by Slice/Gap option...

There is an Angle option [A], if you select that AND Spacing=0
then you are asked for the 'Number of Spaces', with a prompt that says
'Spaces [A=12.5° 1234mm]:'m to remind you that you are in the Angled
Axis mode.

There is also a Rotation option [R] - if you select that then
Spacing=0 automatically, and you are asked for the 'Number of Spaces'
[default=3] with the prompt 'Spaces [R 23.4°]:', showing the Angle from
the Origin to the two subtended extremities of the Sliced Object.

'Cancel'

stops the tool

'OK'

runs the tool.

If you specified the Axis as 'A' a special dialog asks for the Angle.
Slices can only be made rotated around the Z-axis using this option, so
rotate the Sliced Object in 3d if the Angled slices are required canted
at any other relationship. The Angle is entered in degrees, a +ve Angle
rotates the Slices counter-clockwise and a -ve Angle clockwise.
Note, 0=X_axis, 90=Y_axis: the rotation is around the Z-axis.
The specified Spacing is measured perpendicular to the Slices.

'Cancel'

stops the tool

'OK'

runs the tool.

Slicer5 now runs...

It reports its progress in the Status Bar...

The Slice-set is given a unique random 4 digit code - e.g. '1234'
The Slices are assembled inside a group named 'SLICES-1234', placed
exactly over the Sliced Object, at the specified Spacing etc.
This group is made on its own layer:
'SLCR-ZZZZ' for Z-axis Slices
'SLCR-YYYY' for Y-axis Slices
'SLCR-XXXX' for X-axis Slices
'SLCR-AAAA' for Angled Slices
'SLCR-RRRR' for Radial Slices
If specified the individual Slice-components have reference tag-groups
added, named 'TEXT', reading 'Z001' to 'Z999', the prefix varying with
the specified axis [XYZ]. This TEXT is put on layer 'SLCR-TEXT'.
The Slice-components themselves are named to match their reference with
the Slice-set's code as a prefix - e.g. '1234-Z001'.
The Slices are colored to match their axis - Red/Green/Blue==X/Y/Z.
The materials are called, respectively, 'SLCR-XXXX', 'SLCR-YYYY' and
'SLCR-ZZZZ'.
Angled Slices are colored 'SLCR-AAAA' - mid-gray.
Rotated Slices are colored 'SLCR-RRRR' - pale-amber.
If a Flattened-set is specified then an instance of each Slice-component
is placed flat, to the top-right of the Sliced Object's maximum bounds,
arranged in 'as square a pattern as possible'; each one spaced from its
neighbor by a minimum of the Slices' Thickness.
The Flattened-set is a group named 'FLAT-1234', on layer 'SLCR-FLAT'.
Because the assembled and flat Slices are instances of the
same Slice-component, then editing one edits the other...
If you have chosen a dual axis [XY/XZ/YZ] then two separate assemblies
of Slices are made - the second one is named 'SLICES2-1234', and if
there is a Flattened-set, then the separate second one is named
'FLAT2-1234' and it is place 'above' the first one along the Y-axis.
On completion the Sliced Object's layer is set to 'SLCR-HIDN', which is
switched 'off' so that you can see the assembled Slice-set.

The 'Slicing' is one step undo-able.

Slicer5 Exporter:

You can Export the Slices; this is useful if you want to
move the Text-tags [quite likely when Slicing complex shapes] or even
edit some Slices' geometry [e.g. add 'pilot-holes'], PushPull its form
[remembering to leave its 'base' at the ORIGIN in the Component edit],
use Slotter on them, and so on...

Menu:

Plugins > Slicer5 > Slicer5 Exporter

Toolbar:

View > Toolbars > Slicer5 > Slicer5 Exporter

Ruby Console:

TIG::Slicer.export() [with a 'FLAT-1234' group already preselected]

Usage:

After making the Slices [with a Flattened version], and perhaps editing
them [see above], you can Select the group 'FLAT-1234' group and run the
Slicer5 Exporter tool.

An 'Audit' is also done before any Exporting and stops it if
serious errors were found; this is to allow you to consider the
implications - the Audit_Report opens to explain the issues [see below].

Assuming no Audit issues - you are first asked if you want to make a
folder of PNG Images for each of the Slices.
'Cancel' to skip this.
'OK' to make them.
The PNG's folder is made in the SKP's folder and is named:
'ModelName-Slicer5-PNGs-1234'.
The PNG files are named after the Slice-component thus: '1234-Z001.png'
If you are an 8-Pro user you will also be asked if you want to make DXF
files for each Slice - useful for CNC processing etc...
'Cancel' to skip this.
'OK' to make them.
The DXF's folder is made in the SKP's folder and it is named
'ModelName-Slicer5-DXFs-1234'.
The DXF files are named after the Slice-component, thus: '1234-Z001.dxf'
All loops are welded into a 'polyline', no faces are Exported.
It uses the current DXF options set for Sketchup [edit these to suit
before Slicing] - for example many CNC machines like 'R12' and 'mm'.
The following layer/color conventions are followed:
EXTL = Outer loops [yellow]
INTL = Inner loops - if any [green]
TEXT = Text - if any [red]
OLIN = Outlines - if any [magenta]
CIRC = Circles - if any [white/black]
External and Internal loops are put on separate layers because the
router-bit needs swap from outside to inside when cutting these forms.
The Text layer polylines can either be ignored or used to engrave a
reference tag, say 1mm deep into the board.
Any Outline [optionally added if Slices touch] is on its own layer, it
can be engraved say 1mm to assist in accurately aligning the next Slice
above it when gluing etc.
If you have manually added circular holes onto the Slice <=12mm diameter
[e.g. for dowels or pilot-holes] these are identified and put onto their
own layer, as you may wish to drill those rather than cut them.
Because the DXF reprocessing may continue after the main process stops
it is advisable NOT to close the SKP or try to open any of the DXFs for
several moments after completion.
If there is a corresponding 'FLAT2.1234' group then that is also
processed: you should NOT select it - select the 'FLAT.1234' group only
- and if a 'FLAT2' version exists then it will be found automatically.

Slicer5 Slotter:

Menu:

Plugins > Slicer5 > Slicer5 Slotter

Toolbar:

View > Toolbars > Slicer5 > Slicer5 Slotter

Ruby Console:

TIG::Slicer.slotter() [with a 'SLICES-1234' group already preselected etc]

Usage:

After manual relocation or resizing/shaping of [non-Slotted] Slices in
dual-axis 3d SLICES set, this tool does the Slotting of the sets' Slices
[all automatically reflected in the FLAT sets].
It's useful if you want to have some narrower or angled 'slats' etc.
When editing a Slice never move geometry in the definition's Z axis as
that determines how it's laid out when FLAT; however, you can PushPull
Trim/Slot/Drill etc as desired. Remember to leave the edited Slice's
base at the Component edits ORIGIN.
You can also delete a Slice [to do that Edit the Slice-component, Edit >
Select-All and Delete, this will remove the SLICES and FLAT as any
'empty' components are auto-deleted from the Model's Definitions].
You can also make additional Slices; to keep Text-tags etc it is
recommended that you copy an existing Slice, use Make_Unique on it to
make a new Component, e.g. 1234-X001 >>> 1234-X001#1; it can then be
edited or relocated as desired. To update its Text-tag 'Audit' the set,
the incorrect tags are then updated to match the names. Also remember
to add an instances of any new Slices [from the Component Browser so
that they start 'flat' on the cursor] into any corresponding FLAT group
[although an Audit will also tell you if you forget to do it !]'
Note that the Slotter only works on dual-axis sets of Slices, which should have been made originally without Slots and probably with a FLAT
set for Export later. You must only relocate Slices in 3d using Move,
so that the Slices in the pair of sets intersect orthogonally [at right-
angles] because cut slots will not 'mate' or even 'cut' properly
otherwise. You can Rotate Slices about an axis, provided that they
remain orthogonal, but do not 'cant' Slices otherwise.
The two main dual-axis types are XY, with these there should NEVER be
Rotations, because some Slices might not then be orthogonal; and
the XYAR+Z sets where Rotations of Slices is allowable, but these should
only be around the Z-axes, to maintain orthogonal relationships.

If you have made a pair of 'SLICES' they will already be named
SLICES-1234 and SLICES2-1234 and are suitable for slotting together.
However, if you have two one-axis sets made separately you can still
combine them...
Let's say one is named SLICES-1234 and the other SLICES-9876
Rename SLICES-9876 as SLICES2-1234.
Now the second set is taken as the sibling of the first.

Select ONE of the 'SLICES' group sets and activate the Tool.
You should NEVER select the other group set -
if it exists the sibling group set will be found automatically.
Note:
If you have selected 'SLICES-1234' then 'SLICES2-1234' is found.
If you have selected 'SLICES2-1234' then 'SLICES-1234' is found.
The 'SLICES-1234' group should never be a Z [blue] set and
in an XY set it should always be the X [red] set.

Now answer the Parameters dialog for 'Tolerance' and 'Overcut'.
[it shows the default from those last used, or 0].
See main Slicer5 Tool usage above about these two options...
The Tool runs and Slots are added to the two sets of Slices, using any
specified Tolerance and/or Overcut.
These changed Slots are also reflected in any FLAT set's instances.

The Slotter is one step undo-able.

Slicer5 Audit:

Menu:

Plugins > Slicer5 > Slicer5 Audit

Toolbar:

View > Toolbars > Slicer5 > Slicer5 Audit

Ruby Console:

TIG::Slicer.audit() [with a 'SLICES-1234' group already preselected]

Usage:

The SLICES group, and FLAT group [if any], and the dual-axis versions
[if any] are first checked for 'Validity' - extraneous entities like
guide-lines and raw-geometry are erased.
The Ref-tags [if any] are UPDATED to reflect the Slice's current name,
useful if you have manually copied a Slice (say '...X001') and then used
'Make Unique' on it to make a new Component (say '...X001#1') and edited
its form etc, because the Ref-tag will not now reflect that Slice's new
name.
It also Audits the 3d SLICES set against the FLAT set, for any MISMATCH;
if the SLICES group has extra Slices compared to the FLAT group then
they are ADDED to the FLAT group, if the FLAT group has extra Slices
compared to the SLICES group they are REMOVED from the FLAT group.
The Audit_Report is named thus:
ModelName_SLICES-1234_Audit_Report.txt
It is placed in the same folder as the Model SKP.
The Audit also runs before any Export,
and it stops it if significant errors were found;
this is to allow you to consider the implications,
it opens the Audit_Report to show the errors.
The Audit changes are one step undo-able.

TIPS:

Save your Model before Slicing/Exporting in case of rare Bugsplats!

Do not try to Slice tiny Models; in common with all Sketchup tools that
try to make Faces, very small Faces [<~1mm/0.01sq"] will fail to form
[e.g. Followme will fail with small pipes and tight radii] and the
Slicing will not be successful. So Scale up such models x10 or x100 and
adjust your Slicer Parameters accordingly. Once you have successfully
Sliced you can Scale everything back down by the appropriate fraction
and continue.

When Exporting PNG files use a Style with thin Lines, no line-extensions
or end-points, jitter etc, and a White Background [Ground]. If you
don't want the Slice colors to print switch to a non-color View Mode -
e.g. Wireframe, before Exporting.

The PNG Exporter WILL automatically switch Guides to be 'visible' and
Hidden Geometry 'off' and Shadows to 'off':
[because if needs guide-points to calibrate the view size consistently], and it restores your previous settings on completion.

5.0 20111230 First issue in new format.

5.1 20111231 Slicer5 Exporter tool added.

5.2 20120101 New Spacing2/Thickness2/Insets'2/Tolerance dialog added, Slot and Overcut [dog-boning] added to the same new dialog. Entering Spacing=0 now opens a dialog to enter the number of Spaces required, rather than using a fixed Spacing.

5.3 20120103 New 'Text-Height' option added to first dialog. Recoded to avoid fails and small 'snags' with complex slotting solutions.

5.4 20120103 Stupid typo fixed in code set.

5.5 20120104 Spacing=0 glitch when reverting to 'length' fixed.

5.6 20120107 Option 'A' to make 'Angled' Slices and Option 'R' added to make 'Radial' Slices - see Usage Notes...

5.7 20120108 'R' Radial Slices algorithm greatly improved. 'A' Angles +/-ve direction now corrected.

5.8 20120109 Glitches with the Slot-2 width and Slice-2 Ref-tag location fixed. 'AZ' version added - now you can Slice/Slot at an Angle around the Z-axis AND in the Z-direction and intersect them.

5.9 20120110 The Exporter is now a separate tool, there are now no prompts after Slicing, it must be run separately later on. If Axis==X/Y/Z/A and Thickness==Spacing then new option to add 'Outline' [OLIN group] from the adjacent Slice, it helps in assembling the real 3d pieces. If Exported DXF includes an OLIN then those are put onto a layer 'OLIN' which can be used for 'etching' an outline [like Text]. If a Slice has manually added circular holes <12mm diam then these are also put on their own DXF layer, 'CIRC'. Exported PNGs now made 2x viewport size for sharpness. Exported PNGs from a Flattened set containing a FLAT2 are now consistently sized, based on the maximums of BOTH FLAT sets and guide-points are shown at TR/BL/CT. Shadows are now automatically set 'off' when making the PNGs. An 'RZ' option has been added, to make Radial Slices intersecting, and potentially slotted, with 'Z' Slices. Glitches with Spacing/Spaces dialogs resolved.

5.10 20120114 New 'Slicer5 Slotter' tool added; after manual relocation or resizing/shaping of [non-Slotted] Slices in dual-axis 3d SLICES set, it does Slotting of the sets' Slices [reflected in the FLAT sets]; useful if you want to have some narrower or angled 'slats' etc - see Usage Notes... 'Slicer5 Audit' tool added - checks 3d SLICES set against the FLAT set; also Text-tags [if any] are updated to reflect the Slice's current name [useful if you have manually copied a Slice (say '1234-X001') and then used 'Make_Unique' on it to make a new Component (say '1234-X001#1') and edited its form etc, because the Text-tag will not now reflect that Slice's new name]; all changes reported at end in an Audit_Report txt file. The Audit also runs before any Export and stops it if any significant errors are found; to allow you to consider the implications. Minor adjusts to dialogs' text, minor layout glitches etc.

5.11 20120116 Minor adjustments to dialog and status-bar text etc. DeBabelized into other languages [requires deBabelizer.rb in the Plugins folder, this is included in the archive], various lingvo files included in subfolder. Txt.ttf Font [zipped] added to downloads [for those who still need it]. The soon to be deprecated PLATFORM is now RUBY_PLATFORM.

5.12 20120122 Extra traps for non-instances within slice-collections. Code CONSTANTS added for optional menu-location/submenu. Lingvo files now UFT-8 encoded, to avoid problems when copying. Typos in FR lingvo file corrected, correct PT Portuguese lingvo included.

5.13 20120125 RZ solutions improved. Chinese lingvo included in set.

5.14 20121121 Toolbar Toggle added to menu. Outliner errors trapped better.

5.15 20131201 Future-proofed.

5.16 20131212 More reliable intersections, auto-gap closing etc.

5.17 20131214 More future-proofing.

5.18 20131214 Glitch with code resolved.

5.19 20131215 Additional future-proofing.

5.20 20131218 Slotter code improved. General speed improvements. Continuing future-proofing.

5.21 20131218 Glitch with Slicing ComponentInstances fixed.

5.22 20140102 Optional 'Centralization' of the Slice OR the Gap added.

5.23 20140320 The previous crash on MAC when "txt.ttf" Font was missing now results in the Slices being made, but without Refs: and a one off error message advising on how to get/install the Font from the Slicer > Document page's link [ZIP].

6.0 20190125 Error with Adding-Slots tools fixed...