Extension stopped working: curve maker

I just bought Sketchup Pro ver. 24.0.594 64 bit. I am modeling threads, using Curve Maker by Terry Ross. I followed the instructions from a YouTube video by Tyson, and was able to re-create his thread using the helix tool. However, the next time I tried to use the tool, it failed. The properties would not load and display during helix creation. I tried disabling, deleting the ruby file, reloading from the extension warehouse and re-installing. Nothing worked. Ideas?

And what exactly appears in your VCB (measurement box)?

It works in SU2024.

If you want, you can use another extension to create a helix - Helix Along Curve.

What size? SketchUp cannot create very small faces.

I haven’t had any problems with Curvemaker working in SketchUp 2024 when I model screw threads or anything else, for that matter. I do model them as if inches or millimeters are meters to avoid the tiny face issue. Most recent ones here.

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Is this an inputbox or a web dialog window? And did you have more than one display the first time and afterward unplug a display?

Dan, I am typing into the box that appears in the lower right corner of the screen after I start the helix. This input box cycles through radius, # turns, height/turn, cw or ccw, and segments per turn in the model. What happens when I choose 1 turn in the helix, I actually get 12 turns; 2 turns gives me 24 actual turns.The other inputs seem to work.

I could be doing something wrong here. I opened a new model, and the helix function of Curve Maker worked perfectly. Then after the third time, the number of turns displayed 12 turns when I selected just 1 turn; two turns would give 24 actual turns in the helix. The other parameters seemed to work fine. Also, I am using feet ’ for measurements and plan to scale back down to what I need by 100. I had just about duplicated what Tyson did in his second video, but I’m still learning. (Two weeks)

What are all of the values you are using when trying to draw the helix?

Here I’ve modeled three helices one after another. In each case I changed the number of turns a few times before stopping. No issues at all. This was done with units set to Feet.

Maybe you can show a screen capture video that shows your steps?

FYI, SketchUp uses inches internally and so extension developers must also. So when you desire 1 foot, internally the code must use 12 inches. 2 feet, then 24 inches. … and so on…

I know you are speaking of turns here, but it is possible that the code has an error that is applying the units factor to the wrong input field.

There is a way that extension developers can accept model units in input box fields and SketchUp will convert the input into inches automatically. But the code must follow a certain protocol to do this. It may be that this extension does not follow the protocol.

For reference:

Hi, Dan. I managed to get my first model made with the helix function of “Curve Maker” after learning more about solid geometry tools. I made this a component. A little back ground: I am building an engineering drawing for a plumbing adapter that goes from BSPP to NPT (British Standard Pipe Parallel; National Pipe Thread) so I can have a machine shop in Texas make them. In Sketchup, I first created the hex portion as a solid component, then the sealing collar as second component; these were joined into a single component. Then I added the BSPP pipe thread portion, and made that another component, which I connected. I am adding pieces as I go… The next one was a tapered NPT thread which I am trying to build using the “Draw Whorl 2” by Rick Reed (outdated). I have created a suitable tapered thread, and a tapered solid cylinder that I slid inside the thread. I finally got both items lined up, and used cleanup and solid inspector to attempt to generate another solid component. However, I get stopped with a message from solid inspector saying I have one “nested instance” that I just can’t find.And it appears I won’t be able to smoosh the NPT threads onto the model unless it’s a solid (component.)
So aside from a long description, can I do anything more in forums? Like attach the component …skp file for someone to play with? Thanks!

Have you tried using the Outliner to find it?

You can if it is small enough. If not you can share it via WeTransfer or Dropbox, etc., and one of the solid gurus around here could take a look.