SketchUp & Ruby Tools for Domes

[DarylLyn]

I am working in SketchUp, and have figured out an approximate way to handle oblate and prolate in the height dimension of the dome.

I am wondering if anyone has a ruby script tool to create domes by giving the tool the numbers. IE: [planView_Radius, elevationView_Height, ratio_Oblation, shell_Thickness]

If I gave it the following numbers: [planView_Radius = 20', elevationView_Height = 16', ratio_Oblation = 1.00, shell_Thickness = 6"], this would result in a dome that is 40 feet in diameter on the ground, the "radius of curvature" is below the ground (ie, the dome is "below the equator"), with a perfectly spherical aspect, and a thickness of 6 inches on the shell.

If I gave it the following numbers: [planView_Radius = 20', elevationView_Height = 16', ratio_Oblation = .60, shell_Thickness = 6"], this would result in a dome that is 40 feet in diameter on the ground, with an oblate aspect (almost the maximum that can be done without "pumpkining"), a peak elevation of 16 feet, and a thickness of 6 inches on the shell.

If I gave it the following numbers: [planView_Radius = 20', elevationView_Height = 24', ratio_Oblation = 1.40, shell_Thickness = 6"], this would result in a dome that is 40 feet in diameter on the ground, with a prolate aspect (almost the maximum that can be done without "pumpkining"), a peak elevation of 24 feet, and a thickness of 6 inches on the shell.

^^^-------- Examples: Just a couple of rough guesses (I am not looking at precise numbers while writing this), and it may need refining.

If this tool does not exist, I will create it. If someone has a "beta" or rougher version of the tool, I am quite willing to work on your code in exchange for either "usage rights", or if the tool is fully GPL / open source. (If someone can point me to an existing tool, I am also willing to not need to code it... )

Many Thanks, Daryl Lyn

[rbissett]

Hi Daryl. I'm about to release a new book called Real Working Drawings, DIY House Plans with Free Software. I explain how to use the free version of SketchUp along with a free CAD program and other free stuff to produce your own professional looking set of working drawings. It takes you from pencil sketch to engineering, plan review, addendums and shop drawings.

You have probably found the dome.rb at Ruby Library Depot, I imagine. It will make a half sphere dome from a circle or polyline. It just made a Bug Splat, causing SU to crash. I think the plugins are great, but I haven't recommended them in the book because they are often more trouble than they are worth. Except for two which are essential for doing working drawings and another with is sometimes useful. Usually it's better to stick with the native tools. My method for domes of any shape is quick, easy and accurate. Plenty good for the occasional dome project. If you were making domes all day a plugin would be real handy. Would love to test yours some day. Bob