Distribute and rotate along spline

[Anonymous]

I found out how to distribute along a spline here: http://www.archicadwiki.com/DistributeElementsAlongPath
But it is silent regarding having ability to rotate the object at the same time.
A post I found from 2010 says this is not possible in AC (at that time).
Has there been a fix or feature added to do this that I missed?
In the attached image there is a plant along the spine and that works because it is roughly round/oval, hence rotation is not an issue.
However:
Also next to that (in attached image) is a copy of that spline that I'm trying to distribute a shaped stone along a curving foot path.
The two you see was done manually, not fun along a long meandering walkway.
Any updates to AC or tricks?
Thanks
3d

[Barry Kelly]

There is nothing new that I am aware of off the top of my head - not for 3D.
But there is an old trick if you only need a 2D representation and that is to make a custom 'symbol' line type.

Draw the shape with lines on plan but offset a hotspot the same distance as the length of the shape above the it.
i.e mirror a copy of the shape at the top, add a hotspot a t the top of the new copy and then delete the copy leaving the hotspot.

Select the original shape and the hotspot and create a new 'symbol' line - pasting the shape and hotspot in.
Adjust the 'dash' an 'gap' sizes to suit what you need.

The reason you need the offset hotspot is the spline will be in the centre of shape you paste so if you want to use the top edge for your spline you have to trick it to think the shape is twice as high as it really is - hotspots won't print.

It does squash up a bit around the curves (depends on your size and spacing).
So if you need exact copies for your paving then you will have to place and manipulate manually.

Barry.

[Anonymous]

Hi Barry
Thanks for the reply.
Great idea.

Worked with some distortion as you implied.
I'll work on mitigating (tricking it by shape latter).
Also realizing I may need three shapes to have space between pathway stones to have equal spaces. ie left and right hand turns as well as straights.
But the big elephant in the room for me is can't figure out why the shape size I copy pasted in to symbol line type gets so enlarged.

As you can see in attachment, I tried both scaling options with no change.
Am I missing the obvious?
3d

[Barry Kelly]

You will want to adjust your dash size.
Currently you have 2" so that is how big it will appear on you plan at your current scale.
Not sure how your imperial scales work but if you have a scale of 1:100 then your paving should measure 200" (I think that is right).

You will probably want the scale set to "scale with plan" so it stays relative in size to your model if you change scales.

Barry.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Barry
Having made a couple of line types before, (but not symbol ones), I did not suspect the obvious as you pointed out.
Thanks a bunch.
Take Care.

[Barry Kelly]

I am glad its working for you.
I must admit I have never really made a symbol line type either - just experimenting and learning at the same time myself.
Barry.