Create Pipes Along Paths in SketchUp with Pipe Along Path
It’s amazing the number of times you’re working in a SketchUp model and you find yourself needing to simply create a round shape along a path. You can use the follow me tool, but sometimes you can’t get the follow me tool to create quite the right result. This week’s plugin will create perfect, centered pipes along any path.
Plugin Name:
Pipe Along Path
Plugin Developer:
Tig
How Much does it cost?
Free! Please donate to your developers.
Where do you get it?
You can get it through Sketchucation’s extension store. You can also download it by clicking the hyperlink below!
Click the Button to Download the Plugin from the SketchUcation Store
Tool Functions
Though it’s called pipe along path, really, this plugin allows you to create polygons along any continuous path you select.
It allows you to dictate the inside and outside diameters of your shape, allowing for the creation of hollow objects, or you can set the inside diameter to zero in order to simply create a solid shape.
It also allows you to dictate the number of segments in your pipe, allowing you control over the shape that’s created. You can create pipes using any shape with 3 or more segments.
Another useful function in this plugin is the ability to create control points at every “node,” or intersection between segments in the path you follow. In conjunction with x-ray view, this allows greater control over moving your pipe around.
You can also specify the layer you’d like your new geometry to go into, allowing you great control over your visibilities.
Finally, you can specify if you want your original path inside the group with the geometry you create or not. It’s amazing the number of plugins that create geometry that merges with your original geometry, making it very difficult to go back and modify anything. This is a thoughtful option that doesn’t seem like it would matter much, but it’s actually very useful.
Ratings
Usefulness/Functionality – 5/5
This plugin offers just about every function I can think of that you’d need for creating pipes along paths.
Value – 5/5
This tool is free, and offers a lot of functionality. Please donate to the developer, even if it’s only a dollar or two. He’s earned it.
Ease of Use/Documentation – 5/5
This tool is very simple to use. Functionality is well spelled out. I had no trouble figuring out how to use this plugin.
Description
Overall score – 15/15.
This tool feels a bit like an extension of the follow me tool, but it’s easier to use and has more options. It has done everything I could think of regarding creating pipes along paths, and it’s free. You can’t ask more than that out of a plugin, so this plugin gets a perfect score – 15/15.
As always, leave a comment below and let me know if you’re using this tool and how.
About Justin Geis
Hi, I'm Justin Geis, and I'm the founder of The SketchUp Essentials. I started using SketchUp as part of my work as a general contractor in 2008. I quickly realized the power of the software and started using it for personal projects. I started The SketchUp Essentials as a place to share easy to follow SketchUp tutorials and tips to help everyone harness the power of 3D Modeling in their lives. When not working with SketchUp, I enjoy playing soccer and spending time with my wife and our two dogs.
