Thanks Christian. I don't know Sketchup at all so I would need to spend time learning it first and might consider that.
I did ask on a couple other forums and it looks like it can be done quite easily in SolidWorks with a basic motion study. I have access to that, so I will try in there first. The attached is from the SW forum.
Perhaps could you see this page github.com/schteppe/cannon.js
You could find a simple 3D physics engine for js with many samples like spheres falling.
During simulation, you could have the coords of spheres fallen.
I you find a script taking coords to place your spheres in MOI3D.
An idea perhaps to help you...
This idea could be used to place objects physically or narturally ?
If you want a complet tuto about MS Physics (for SketchUP) take a look at this ;)
26 little videos :) ps Sketchup is 10 times more easy than Blender! :)
Populate your volume with Tangent cubes ...it's not a big deal!
Then draw a sphere at each center box!
script: /* Attribute a point at each center box's object selected*/ var objs = moi.geometryDatabase.getSelectedObjects(); for ( var i = 0; i < objs.length; ++i ) { var obj = objs.item(i); var pt = obj.getBoundingBox().center; var ptfactory = moi.command.createFactory( 'point' ); ptfactory.setInput( 0, pt ); ptfactory.commit(); }
So copy the 2 files inside the folder commands
and make a shortcut "copytopoints" or press Tab and write Copytopoints...or COpyToPoints etc...
any letters you want except spaces
Damned seems there is a SyntaxError: Expected token ')' somewhere in this
???
script: /* Attribute a point at each center box's object selected*/ var objs = moi.geometryDatabase.getSelectedObjects(); for ( var i = 0; i < objs.length; ++i ) { var obj = objs.item(i); var pt = obj.getBoundingBox().center; var ptfactory = moi.command.createFactory( 'point' ); ptfactory.setInput( 0, pt ); ptfactory.commit(); }
this is the good one!!! (don't know where is the difference but... :)
script: /* Place a point at each selected object's bounding center */ var objs = moi.geometryDatabase.getSelectedObjects(); for ( var i = 0; i < objs.length; ++i ) { var obj = objs.item(i); var pt = obj.getBoundingBox().center; var ptfactory = moi.command.createFactory( 'point' ); ptfactory.setInput( 0, pt ); ptfactory.commit(); }
You can also draw 2 Circles (constant radius) in a view
then now same radius circle but now Tangent !
Copy rotate at any moment in another view!for the third and upper...
At the end no problem to remplace all by spheres with the plugins seen above!
Like this you can simulate any natural falling bubbles! :)