Full Version: V5 Wish List

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For alignment on V5 - I’d find a useful feature to be able to select two irregular shapes / objects / curves - usually working in a 2d view (click one click 2) and in one click (3) get them to align by bounding box centres. The 1st shape selected would be the one that moves to bounding box centre on the 2nd shape target.

This alignment function I’m trying to describe could also
be seen as giving all shapes bounding box centres for a quick alignment feature using “move” or vertical and horizontal align.

If you had 19 random sized circles (sources) and 1 circle (target) the 20 shapes should be able to align or be moved and perfectly “centred” in *4 steps maximum

Selection of sources
Selection of target
Alignment vertical
Alignment horizontal

*The alignment is actually one function or the “move”
of sources to target so we could say it 3 steps.

All the above works on using bounding box centres
for sources and target.

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Hi stefano, there is currently an Align command under the Transform tools that is similar to what you're describing.

You can use that to make a set of objects be aligned by their centers, the only part that is different from what you are asking for is that you choose a target point instead of a target object.

So say you want to align 3 boxes vertically. Select the 3 boxes and run Transform > Align, then set the "Vert center" option and then pick the target point like this:



- Michael

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Hi Michael I had a feeling that would be your response..
It seems there is two things missing to achieve what I’m suggesting - align vertically and horizontally (of sources) in one go and align those selections to a target shape - (where the target shape does not move)

ADDED VIDEO on extra step required that i prefer to remove:

1. two actions to align centrally - could/should be one.
2. having to use construction line to get centre of the "target shape".
NOTE: these are easy shapes but i work with irregular shapes more often
so hence i previously suggested align works to bounding box centres.

ADDED MOI File shows target shape as irregular...
that means i seemingly can only drag a construction line to get
sources to snap to centre of the target.

Update: simplest solution is likely put a bounding box point on the target shape using a command - then it’s easy with alignment. But still the alignment options even if I right click the first one requires two actions (and moving mouse upto the tool bar which is a bit counterproductive). Ideal solution “centre alignment command” one click aligns all <Selected objects > to their centres.
Step two picks target shape - automatically shows/adds its bounding box point user THEN moves all sources to target (all that could be automatic)

Be great if this was a standard feature or complete script…

Attachments:
ALIGNMENT_01.06.2024_11.27.22_REC.mp4
FORUM_MOI_2CLICK_ALIGNMENT.3dm

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Align is maybe like a distribute ?
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=8503.1 see the all thread!

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Hello Pilou - i like your lateral thinking as usual!
I attach the simple concept of the ideal way i would implement this if i was
a coder...No doubt other tools can acheive the same result...Was just wondering
if Michael might see the scope for this as an extension of the current alignment
tool...it seems we've found grey area between MOVE and ALIGN or ALIGN and MOVE.
Personally - i dont want to use "clicks" i just want the function to do it!
I said two clicks as a challenge - could it be one selection and one click and one command?!

See the attached please...

Kindest

Stefano

Image Attachments:
ALIGN TO TARGET.jpg 

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Hi Stefano, please try the attached script.
Instructions for installing scripts here.

To use it, select the target object first then select all the objects you want to reposition, then trigger the command. There are no further steps.

Hope that helps!

- Michael

Attachments:
CenterOnFirstSelected.js

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Hi Michael, many many thanks for this I’ll certainly be
using it as a frequently used tool. Hopefully I’ll find the time later today to try installing the script. Thanks Again
- Stefano

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Cool! :)

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Whilst experimenting using "images" as backgrounds to moi designs - just now...
I thought a "V5 usability suggestion" could be:

If an image is imported, be nice if it created a 'smart object' or psuedo dumb
object in the object list- functionality = 2 improvements:

1. The object list - would/should allow the object: "image" to be hidden/visible
by clicking eye-icon (LHS object list).

and/or

2. If "image" is click-selected (RHS object list) add intuitivity:
Interactively opens the current / existing image dialogue (toggle click) -

exactly as two clicks would in tools section: VIEW/IMAGE.
------------------

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hey Pilou, i cant install scripts as fast as you yet ;o)
But yes looks super cool and im glad you might see use for it as well...

Having seen your 'gif' video - even more apparent is I really like the logic of way Michael
has set this up e.g. Target alignment object 1st.

FYI: in other software would typically select the sources 1st...
More i I think about Michael's "target 1st" approach more i like it.

Small details can make big differences.

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the more speed install method for a simple script than above

Input the script inside the folder commands
call it by a classical shortcut
or press tab and write "CenterOnFirstSelected" and press Enter
you can write "CenterOnfirstselected" , "CenterONfirstselected", "centeronfirstselected"
etc but without space...

the more hard method is to use the Custom UI by MaxSmirnov

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Extras is another easy way to be able to access your scripts: https://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=10353.1

--Larry

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After watching a few youtube videos on car modeling via Rhino and next version of Plasticity, I would vote for XNURBS and the ability to import Sketchup models.

Cheers and many thanks

Kenmo

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You can yet import SKP files directly inside Moi!
Maybe just convert them in 2017 SketchUp version !

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Sorry but I was not aware MOI3D ver 4 could import native Sketchup files. Is it a plugin or script that is required. Never the less, this is great news.

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Sorry It's EXPORT SKP!

So In SKetchUp export as OBJ format without Texture ( some free Plugins by Tig or Thomthom)

Then reload it inside Moi by the plugin _ImportObj by Max Smirnov
https://moi3d.com/download/scripts/max/ImportObj.v.1.5.2015.09.10.zip
and Escape as soon as your OBJ object it's reloaded !

You must have the geometric wire..

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Another cool solution but...
AN SKP file from Trimble 3DWarehouse (you must have a Gmail address )

Open the SKP file inside the free PCon Planner
https://pcon-planner.com

Export as OBJ format

Launch Obj23dmWireframe By Michael Gibson
http://moi3d.com/download/Obj23dmWireframe.zip
You will obtain a 3dm file format

As you can see some faces are not present but...

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The image above inside Vizcom :)
(you can also insert the file OBJ directly inside Vizcom !!!

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Hi Kenmo , re: import SketchUp models - that isn't really feasible because SketchUp files contain only polygon mesh data, not CAD surfaces and solids.

Something that looks like a sphere for example in SketchUp is not a single sphere surface like it is in a CAD program. It's actually made up of a lot of little triangles.

Moi is not designed to work with that type of polygon mesh data, you would need to use a polygon mesh editing program to work on SketchUp models, not MoI.

- Michael

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Not sure if my minor usability suggestion to show / hide images using object manager was missed (few posts before)

Another feature request “wishing for V5” >

Ability to link commands together to create basic workflows…(I’ve seen this requested elsewhere
a few times)

leading to…

basic macro recorder perhaps with a tree view / step by step interface .

I suggested in an email to Michael if a script recorder had some sort of “live” window showing users the commands syntax it creates it could become quite educational…

Whatever could be introduced in this area of “simple automation” could introduce major usability improvements for users who may use set tools in set orders, again and again…

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