Ropes Plugin for Vectorworks®

This plugin creates a parametric rope out of a 3D path (NURBS)

Premises:

The Rope object created with this plugin may be very complex in terms of facets created. It depends by the number of steps (revolutions), the number of strands (1, 2 ot 3) and the strand shape.

I strongly recommend to start with a small stretch, with a simple shape (triangle or square) and to keep the Vectorworks® 3D resolution to Middle / Low.

A Time field in the OIP informs you of the time elapsed in the last Rope reset / creation, so you can learn by trial, and when ready, substitute the Rope path with the final one.

Below a sample table with creation elapsed time while varying the section shapes and the step distance (rope windings) :

Let's draw it!:

Simply select the plugin icon from the tool's panel you have put it (see installation notes) and start to draw the path by clicking two or more points.

This tool has the same behavior (for creation and editing) as the NURBS Curve tool, see NURBS curves help topic on the official Vectorworks® help pages.

The OIP panel:

Note: the plugin provides also a button to import / exchange the current curve with another you select on the drawing.
Since it is sometimes easier to create a complex 3D path by steps, combining more paths or interpolating points, this import / exchange button and its companion export path button are there to help you complex ropes.

Here below some examples / combinations you can achieve with this plugin:

Also, the Ropes plugin package comes with a Vectorworks® file containing some texturized classes, see a sample below:

Unpacking the downloaded zip file, you'll get a folder named Ropes [20YY], where [20YY] is the plugin's Vectorworks® version.

Move the folder "as is" inside your Vectorworks Plug-ins folder (app or user folder).

Restart Vectorworks.

Edit your workspace adding the tool Ropes to an existing palette (you'll find it in 3D category)

Save the workspace.

In the end you should get a new tool item Ropes in the chosen palette.

Here the official instructions (from help.vectorworks.net) for editing the workspaces:

And here instructions to add a menu command:

A limited version of the plugin is available for download.
In this version some parameters are disabled, so the Ropes are limited to preset values.
All other features are there for you to experiment all the possibilities.

To unlock these parameters, just buy the plugin (with licence) from Payhip®, see below.

• Download Ropes 2022
• Download Ropes 2023
• Download Ropes 2024
• Download Ropes 2025

I'm moving my plugins to PayHip, as Gumroad no longer offers PayPal as a payment option.
The plugins currently available on Gumroad will still be available for purchase with a credit card on my Gumroad® shop page.

This plugin is available in a discounted bundle with Catenary Curve Plugin for Vectorworks® Ropes + Catenary Bundle