Aku Shaper Software Update

General Discussion
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Aku Shaper Software Update details

(Sorry for the slow post on Swaylocks, most of you with the program have got the update.)

To get the update, just start the program with you computer connected

to the internet, it should automatically download.

New Features in the Software:

  • 3D viewing - press ‘h’ key for help and see your options

  • Start up images - normal functions of the program still work while

these are being displayed.

  • ‘s’ key to move between points - this was mainly for the Mac users

who don’t have a right button on their mouse and I guess some

versions of OSX wouldn’t let their equivalent of a right click show

the points and tangents that were hidden under other points and

tangents.

  • Shape 3D importing - Ability to read .s3d files. Importing is likely

not going to be perfect due to the different arrangement of

points. This feature also indirectly lets you import DSD (.srf)

files. To do this (.srf files) we recommend you open Shape 3D lite,

which is free, and import the .srf file in there, save it as a .s3d

file then open that file in Aku Shaper.

Possible Problems:

  • Software not starting while connected to the internet - we think the

solution to this is to update your version of java and possibly

remove the software from your computer and then click on the link

from our site again. At this stage this is only happening to a few

people so we don’t know exactly why it’s happening.

  • If you’re using Java 6 there might be a 6-8 second delay when the

program starts. We web searched this one and it’s bug with Java 6

which I guess is fixed in Java 7 beta. It’s not those pictures at

the start, we’ve tested those, worst case with those is a couple

second delay and that should be pretty rare cause without the

pictures the delay was still there.

  • Not being able to start the software by clicking the .brd file - we

think this one is either something with the newer version of

Java. Sorry still looking into this one as it seems to only happen

on some computers. I’ll send another email if we find the solution

to get this working normally again.

Bug Fixes (if you don’t know what these are don’t worry about them):

  • Fixed slice convex error

  • Fixed problem with boards with only one slice

  • A few other little things

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Also a possible problem for a few of you.

Aku Shaper Software Start Up Problem

Possible problem with Aku Shaper starting up.

We’ve been hearing from a few people that their program hasn’t been starting or won’t start online.

The solution that seems to work is to update their version of Java, and in some cases reinstall their version of the Aku Shaper program.

Here is the link to get the new version of Java:

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

It’s this one (in the middle of the page):

Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 4

Again, you also might want to re-install the Aku Shaper program.

If you’re software has been updated and everything is working fine then you can ignore this message.

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Thanks, really appreciate the program and the updates.

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Yeah , I second that-

Thanks very much for making the programme freely available.

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Will we be able to see concaves in 3D anytime soon?

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STOKED!!!

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Mahalo,

The 3d function has been an awesome addition. I can design a board and rotate it in 3d to see the lines just as I would when I’m shaping. It has been a pretty cool tool to help in foiling the thickness in relation to the rocker and rails.

Do you have any tips for dealing with corrupt files? For no reason that I can understand an individual file won’t be able to show in 3d. All the other functions will work but the 3d looks all scrambled. Once that happens I can’t print the file in Adobe. Any tips to restore the file without having to remake the entire board in a new file?

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Can you send me the file?

Jimmy at akushaper

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Aloha Jimmy,

I checked your profile to send you a pm but the email was an invalid address. Either that or I’m a dork and can’t figure it out. I ended up sending the file to the Aku Shaper info email from the website on your home page.

If you don’t get the file give me your email and I’ll try again.

Thanks again.

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O.K. I’m a dork. I figured it out and sent you a pm.

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Hi Jimmy,

I can’t get 3d working at all. I can see the shaping room but my board isn’t on the racks. Is there something I’m missing (apart from the board in 3d)?

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Ok DMP,

The problem was in the slice that you had closest to the tail. You had tangents of your points that were over lapping which made the rail line go into a loop, but this was hard to see because of the way the points were all lined up on each other. We try to catch these errors but looks like we’re not catching them all.

You can see the loop when you move that red tangent

General Rule: Tangents shouldn’t go past each other. I know that’s not the best way to explain it, but hopefully the pictures tell a little story.

Jimmy



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One more pic.

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By the way when I click ‘inline’ for my attachment, is it supposed to put the picture right in the message.

Can get that to work, but I’m doing this on linux (Ubuntu 2.6.22-14-386 ) with Firefox 2.0.0.11.

Anyway, not that big a deal.

Jimmy

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Same as DMP, I would say check your slices and the points there, if you don’t see anything then you can send me the board.

Is this happening to only a few boards or every board you try?

If it’s happening to all your boards, then I would say to reinstall your software and maybe Java if you have an old version of that.

Sorry about the Java problems, on systems it automatically updates and on others it doesn’t. Also, with Java on different platforms there are always little problems with the differences. Minor cost for the benefit, in my opinion.

Jimmy

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Hi Jimmy,

Points and slices are all good. When I click on the bay tab I see an empty shaping bay. When I hit the ‘v’ key I can see wireframe, slice, curve but not solid. I’m using Vista on a laptop with OPENGL 3D. Do I need a JRE update? I’d assumed Vista would come with the latest version.

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…hello Jimmy,

is it possible:

1-to enter directly the boards outline and thickness numbers in the control box? (not possible in the older version)

2-to take measurements in a tangent between the stringer and rail? because a domed deck for ex.

3-to make spin templates? not possible in older version

4-to print a half template in a simple way?

thank you

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I thought Vista came with the latest version of Java, but I would update. I’m guessing that you don’t have all the libraries, specifically some of the 3D ones…

Jimmy

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is it possible:

1-to enter directly the boards outline and thickness numbers in the control box? (not possible in the older version)

No sorry. This hasn’t changed from any of the recent versions, including the most recent one. You can enter a width and length. The thickness is changed in the rocker panels by moving the points.

2-to take measurements in a tangent between the stringer and rail? because a domed deck for ex.

Not sure what you mean here. As you move the mouse it gives you coordinates of your mouse location. Not sure if that will help on this one.

3-to make spin templates? not possible in older version

No sure what a spin template is.

4-to print a half template in a simple way?

Simple way …

I don’t personally do a lot of printing. That feature was made by request but is also subject to many things. The printer being used being the big one. If you search on this site you’ll see a lot people have given tips on printing.

Jimmy

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can you ask that chick on the wall if she’ll go out with me?

id appreciate it jimmy…