Tag Archives: google

Google Sketchup Plugins

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I cannot take credit for these fantastic plugins.  Since posting this originally I have heavily edited it to include all the great Google Sketchup plugins I’m using. 1  Without further ado they are:

  1. skp_to_dxf.zip (6372 downloads ) – This script will allow you to import STL and DXF.  I haven’t used this one as much as the other two.  I think this script was written by someone named Guitar-list.
  2. su2stl.zip (7409 downloads ) – This script will allow you to import/export STL files.  I’ve had pretty good success exporting STL files, but the importing is very hit or miss.  This Ruby script appears to be encrypted, so I don’t know who wrote it and I don’t know enough Ruby to decode it.  This is the best link I could find to it.
  3. polyreduce.zip (6125 downloads ) – This script will reduce the number of polygons and faces in a Sketchup model.  With really complex models (or an underpowered computer) it can take a LONG time to work.  Fair warning.  This great script was written by someone named Whaat.
  4. Update 7/11/2010:   drawhelix13.zip (2056 downloads ) – Script for generating a helix.  Super awesome for creating screw threads. 2  This script was written by someone named Peter Brown, but I cannot find any link to his site or contact information.  Sorry Peter.  I did find some instructions on how to use this plugin.
  5. Update 7/27/2010:  manifold.zip (4713 downloads ) – Script for making a Sketchup object manifold.  I’ve tried it a few times and found that it works slowly on my super under powered machine.  I’ve gotten bored and stopped it before it has completed.  That said, I’m quite confident a more patient person could get it to work no problem.  :)  Manifold was written by someone named TIG who is a prolific creator of Sketchup plugins/Ruby scripts on the Sketchucation forums.  I found this plugin thanks to the Capolight blog – there’s some amazing stuff over there – check it out.
  6. Update 11/25/2010:  jf_stl_importer.zip (4860 downloads ) – Script for importing STL files by Jim of Jim’s Sketchup Plugins.
  7. Update 11/25/2010:  RoundCorner-2.1c.zip (9065 downloads ) – Script for adding rounded or beveled corners to objects.  This plugin by Fredo6 has some detailed installation and usage instructions on the Sketchup Forums pages.  He’s also included instructions as a PDF – Quickcard-RoundCorner-English-v2.1.pdf (812 downloads ) .  This plugin requires Fredo6’s shared code library called  LibFredo6-3.4c.zip (1085 downloads ) with it’s own LibFredo6-User-Manual-English-v3.4-14-Sep-09.pdf (746 downloads ) .
  8. Update 11/25/2010:  FredoScale-2.0i.zip (850 downloads ) – Script for manipulating objects, also by Fredo6 with detailed instructions on the Sketchup Forums.  Also with detailed instructions as a PDF – FredoScale-User-Manual-English-v2.0-28-Mar-09.pdf (685 downloads ) .  There are also tutorial videos here and here.  This plugin requires Fredo6’s shared code library called  LibFredo6-3.4c.zip (1085 downloads ) with it’s own LibFredo6-User-Manual-English-v3.4-14-Sep-09.pdf (746 downloads ) .
  9. Update 11/25/2010: Curviloft-1.0c-and-LibFredo6-3.5c.zip (1033 downloads ) – Script for creating curved surfaces or skins from contours or paths, also by Fredo6 with detailed instructions on the Sketchup Forums.  Although there isn’t any documentation, there are two tutorial videos here and here with an additional tutorial here.  This plugin requires Fredo6’s shared code library called  LibFredo6-3.4c.zip (1085 downloads ) with it’s own LibFredo6-User-Manual-English-v3.4-14-Sep-09.pdf (746 downloads ) .
  10. Update 11/25/2010:  tt_solid_inspector.zip (4394 downloads ) –  Script for detecting problems with solid forms by Thomas Thomassen.
  11. Update 12/27/2010: wafer.rb (4252 downloads ) – Script for converting a Sketchup file into Gcode for cutting 2D shapes using a CNC machine.  I can’t find the name of the author, but this is his website with instructions for how to use his plugin.
  1. I don’t have the author’s names/links handy at the moment, but when I find them I’ll update this page. [↩]
  2. As you can tell, I’ve spent the last six months relentlessly searching for this script… [↩]

MakerBot Is The New Duct Tape

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Google Sketchup Model of Broken Window Latch

Google Sketchup Model of Broken Window Latch

This summer I discovered that one of the window latches in my home was broken.  Since the windows are so old, I didn’t even bother checking for replacement parts at the hardware store.  My repair consisted of wrapping duct tape over the broken part and fitting back inside the latch mechanism.

It worked, but was a less than ideal fix.  The part had snapped in two places, making the entire part slightly unstable even when reinforced with duct tape.   Additionally, the extra thickness of the duct tape prevented the latch from sliding smoothly and eventually started to bunch up the duct tape.

Several months ago, figuring that it was only a matter of time before I bought a MakerBot CupCake CNC, I modeled the part in Google Sketchup.

After getting my MakerBot operational yesterday, this was my second print.  It was also my fourth print – another window was missing a latch entirely.  A little light sanding and a slight use of a hacksaw blade to separate the small divide underneath the part, and it was ready for installation.  Both latches installed without fuss and work far better than the duct tape version.

Window latches, top view

Window latches, top view

Window latches, underside

Window latches, underside

Unlike the duct tape fix, this repair permanently replaces the broken part with a functionally identical part that is also far more cosmetically appealing.  Best of all, I now live in a house that is partially built by a robot I made.  :)

Print 5: Replacement toy fire engine part

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Here’s another part I printed.  The original piece was from a toy fire truck.  It served as a rotating platform, hinge, and guide for the fire ladder.  The toy broke when the part was pushed laterally, shearing the axle off.  Overall, I’d say it was a poorly designed piece.  The entire toy would have been much sturdier if the axle stuck out from the body of the truck in the form of a low round stub the rotating platform fit around.  However, I’m rarely consulted in the engineering of toy fire trucks.  :)

As with the window latch, I had taken the measurements and modeled the piece in Google Sketchup several months before ever purchasing my MakerBot.  I had to make several small changes to the design of the part to reduce overhangs.

Replacement toy fire truck part, for comparison

Replacement toy fire truck part, for comparison

Replacement toy fire truck part

Replacement toy fire truck part

This wasn’t the cleanest piece I’ve printed, but it’s fine for a part that is destined to be broken all over again.  If I were printing it again I’d widen the two walls which serve as the hinge to the ladder.  The piece I printed had the same kind of unevenness in the tall thin axle that I had on the handle of the Z-axis crank. The part became so blobby that I tried to sand it down to be more even – and accidentally snapped the axle off.  Hence, the piece of round chop stick glued into the part.  I’m still fiddling with the Skeinforge settings to deal with this issue.

The process was really pretty easy:  Measure broken piece -> model in Sketchup -> export to STL file using a plugin -> Skeinforge -> ReplicatorG -> FIRE THE MAKERBOT!

Mission critical decisions

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Such as:  Should I paint?  What color(s)?

I’m thinking I should paint.  I figure it will help the robot body stand up to a little extra wear and tear while looking cool.

Not white or black.  That’s SOooo October 2009.  I’m liking gray/gunmetal/silver.  I’ve only seen pictures of one silver MakerBot and I rather liked it.  (Thank you to RDon Ebben/Robostang 548 for posting pics of his MakerBot 347.)  The picture is a little dark, so I don’t think I can see it to its full effect.

Just the other day a user named unrepentantgeek posted a Google Sketchup version of a MakerBot, to make it easy to test out paint/color schemes.  URG – you’re the best!  Thanks to you, I got to test out this color scheme:

Roughly a 50% gray on the outside, silver on the inside.  (I figure I can’t rightfully name the machine Bender unless it has a shiny metal assplate, right?)