[Plugin] SketchyFFD (Updated 20130203)

[Hogwarts]

FFD won't allow you to create a N x N cage if it's raw geometry or a component

So how do you create the cage? I am just starting at Sketchup.
I've been using it for 1-2 months now.

Here is what I'm trying to make.
The snow cap on top of this window.

I already made a cylinder. Radial bended it around the top. Now i need to deform it like snow

How do you suggest I do this. Thank you.

[Rich O Brien]

Have you read the description in the first post?

Make your cylinder a group. Right click and choose N x N. Input values for height, depth and width. These will be the points that weight your cylinder.

Edit the point group and adjust points accordingly.

It's best if you attempt to do this then ask when things become difficult.

[Hogwarts]

Have you read the description in the first post?

Make your cylinder a group. Right click and choose N x N. Input values for height, depth and width. These will be the points that weight your cylinder.

Edit the point group and adjust points accordingly.

It's best if you attempt to do this then ask when things become difficult.

Ok I've completed your steps up to "edit point group"

I'm not quite sure how, could you explain it? Thanks for the patience.

[Rich O Brien]

Now you've 2 groups. The cylinder and the points.

Edit the points group the manipulate the cylinder group. The points can be moved individually or in multiples. Pick a row and move them. The mesh should update when the move is committed.

Just practice

[Hogwarts]

Now you've 2 groups. The cylinder and the points.

Edit the points group the manipulate the cylinder group. The points can be moved individually or in multiples. Pick a row and move them. The mesh should update when the move is committed.

Just practice

Thanks for the help. I'm starting to make it look like the image.
It's going to take practice you're right. This is cool!

[chadlharris2000]

I have a very novice question. I'm trying to download the SketchyFFD plug in but I can't see where the link is to download it. please tell me how to find it on this website. Thanks

[Tobobo]

I have a very novice question. I'm trying to download the SketchyFFD plug in but I can't see where the link is to download it. please tell me how to find it on this website. Thanks

it is at the bottom of the first post, just click on it and save it to your plugins folder.

[shri]

very cool stuff..thanks alot..makes very easier working with organic shapes
FFD..rocks...

[Lana]

just have the best here . thank you .

[itscabbage]

Erm, i'm new here. i have sketchup 8 and i've put this ruby into the plugins folder with all the other rubys, but i can't find out how to use this in sketchup?

[mitcorb]

Hi, itscabbage:
I would highly recommend reading through the entire series of pages in this thread. Among the pages are animations, visuals etc. that can provide information on how to use the tool. If you are unable to activate it, perhaps you should check to see if it is in the proper folder. This is dependent on whether you are using Windows or Mac.
FFD does take a little practice.
And, if you haven't already done so, update your profile. This will enable helpers to determine specific solutions, especially with regard to operating systems.

[gilles]

For some reason, only the first version works for me.

I set NxN
width=11
depth=11
height=1
subdivise=false

First version everything is OK, scale move rotate...

Second version, nothing moves (see ruby report)

Tig's version, trying to move the original group just disappear? no console report.

Any idea?

WARNING: make_unique is a deprecated methodof Sketchup:Group
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method `*' for nil:NilClass>
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:453:in `calcBernstein'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:214:in `initFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:213:in `upto'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:213:in `initFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:211:in `upto'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:211:in `initFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:209:in `upto'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:209:in `initFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:200:in `each'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:200:in `initFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:151:in `startFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:20
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method `[]' for nil:NilClass>
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:253:in `applyMultipleFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:252:in `each'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:252:in `applyMultipleFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:242:in `each'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:242:in `applyMultipleFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:423:in `analizeLattice'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:163:in `updateFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:84:in `onChangeEntity'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:453
Error: #<NoMethodError: undefined method `[]' for nil:NilClass>
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:253:in `applyMultipleFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:252:in `each'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:252:in `applyMultipleFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:242:in `each'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:242:in `applyMultipleFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:423:in `analizeLattice'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:163:in `updateFFD'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:84:in `onChangeEntity'
/Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins/SketchyFFD.rb:253

[TIG]

I made the adjusted version because the older versions were all causing issues, clashes with other scripts etc, the observer was very flaky...
My version works fine for me when tested using your settings, although I don't fully understand the 'moving the group...disappear' issue what disappears ? If you move the group away from the guides it will deform differently...
You can only have one set of FFD guide-points at a time, so is this your issue ?
The 'second' version had the most fails so I'd expect the litany of error messages...

[gilles]

I set NxN parameters and clicking ok the group disappears, it is still in the outliner but nowhere in the model.

[gilles]

I also try with only SketchyFFD.rb in plugins folder, same result.

SU 8.0.14345

[TIG]

It works fine for me with z=1 set, provided that the geometry has some 3d-ness.
If I draw a grid 10x10 as a flat 2d group it does then fail !?
Not having written the original code [I just fixed some known issues] I am unclear why...

Adding a short vertical line to the grouped mesh fixes it...

Capture.PNG

I'll check though the code and see if I can trap for this...

[gilles]

If I add a vertical line in the group it works.
Good to know.

[TIG]

Here's my update viewtopic.php?p=36127#p36127
The recently reported NxN issues with NaN [0.0/0.0] & Infinity [1.0/0.0] fixed, these occurred when the selected group was 2d & NxN height=1...
Also the NxN dialog now remembers the last used values that session for the NxN lattice [width, depth, height, subdivide]...

[gilles]

Works great, thanks a lot TIG, have a sunny day.

[matt.gordon320]

Thanks! This is awesome!

[litounba]

Thanks Chris,Thanks Chris.

[guanjin]

Here's my update viewtopic.php?p=36127#p36127
The recently reported NxN issues with NaN [0.0/0.0] & Infinity [1.0/0.0] fixed, these occurred when the selected group was 2d & NxN height=1...
Also the NxN dialog now remembers the last used values that session for the NxN lattice [width, depth, height, subdivide]...

New version, can not be achieved on the sphere deformation

[TIG]

Here's my update viewtopic.php?p=36127#p36127
The recently reported NxN issues with NaN [0.0/0.0] & Infinity [1.0/0.0] fixed, these occurred when the selected group was 2d & NxN height=1...
Also the NxN dialog now remembers the last used values that session for the NxN lattice [width, depth, height, subdivide]...

New version, can not be achieved on the sphere deformation

But did the old version ?
There is little difference with this update !
How are you trying to deform a sphere ??

[guanjin]

Here's my update viewtopic.php?p=36127#p36127
The recently reported NxN issues with NaN [0.0/0.0] & Infinity [1.0/0.0] fixed, these occurred when the selected group was 2d & NxN height=1...
Also the NxN dialog now remembers the last used values that session for the NxN lattice [width, depth, height, subdivide]...

New version, can not be achieved on the sphere deformation

But did the old version ?
There is little difference with this update !
How are you trying to deform a sphere ??

Sorry, operational errors, thank TIG

[eshertoding]

i can't find the "update ffd" after i move the point and close grup
can't anyone explain me?

[libinhui]

thank you!

[tootsiejo]

Hi i can't see the SketchyFFD in my SKP8. it doesnt appear. how do you really install it? is there a tool? it doesnt install when i put it in the plugins folder

[TIG]

Hi i can't see the SketchyFFD in my SKP8. it doesnt appear. how do you really install it? is there a tool? it doesnt install when i put it in the plugins folder

Assuming you have indeed installed the .rb file into the Plugins folder and restarted SketchUp the tool runs from items in the right-click context-menu 'FFD...' if you have a suitable selection [group etc]...
Please read the tool's instructions in the first page...

[DaddyDDesign]

Hello I am somewhat new to sketchup and am having a bit of trouble with the "open control points group " step of the process. After the object has the control points around it I cant seem to snap to any of them, when I click the cursor just starts to create a selection box. I'm sure I'm missing something trivial, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

[TIG]

You need to open the group to move the guide-points [aka cpoints] etc.
You should be able to double lick on one of them to open the group.
Failing that, use the Outliner to find it and double-click on the named entry in the Outliner dialog, it will then open to edit.
To close an edit of a group [or component] click away from it in empty space, or use the right-click context-menu item to close it [or the equivalent Edit menu item]...