Still looking for javascript code for "repulsion" with the d3 code.
SteveHaroz and Mike Bostoc have d3 javascript code for many projects, some partially relevant to "repulsion:\".
They seem to be oriented towards Information graphics, (charts) rather than geometry.

https://bl.ocks.org/steveharoz

- Brian

There are tutorial about d3-force here:

https://tomroth.com.au/d3/

Apparently d3 is "chart" graph software.

I'm thinking that a good programmer could adapt the js code to nodeeditor and MoI, to do the "Gem Paving".

Do not know how to apply the repulsion to nodes on a brep surface which is 3D, but locally relatively flat.

- Brian

Brian, it is impressive what´s out there as building blocks for any purpose.

I dont know how many jewellery designers use MOI as their tool, but certainly
they are there as proven by the GemArray script. Covering an area with Pave
(there is hexagonal and a square grid for the little pins) manually is quite a challenge.
Otherwise a programmed solution would need to be pretty sophisticated to serve its purpose.

I spent a few hours looking at charting app, d3-force simulation.
Steve Haroz's ds-force testing ground program has interface sliders, for a number of the force choices.
Output is SVG graphics. It has a multiple sliders input panel, and is live.

The output would have to be converted to MoI planar geometry, and input would be a bunch of circles.
Maybe a MoI script could be done, with users able to manipulate the circles on the screen, with the mouse?
Or Nodeeditor?

There seem to be no boundaries, nor3d surfaces...
Maybe a bunch of anchored circles could form boundaries?
I read that there are 40,000 d3 examples. A bunch with d3 force.
One has the circles "afraid" of the mouse. Phylotaxis layout is a default.
Connecting Links, (lines, also called edges), is not needed...

Anyway, it was fun.
I think I will go back to some other projects now.

- Brian

Hi Tom, do you have the Gems?

I can start with the polygon and grab the points, then do a few array directions to get a nice patch. CopyToPoints will place all the little corner gems and the large one is arrays with the points...

Then you could do a flow to your surface.. A little aditing to get the base object the shape you want to match the "frog" (Maybe a top view outline)

Anyway...

Added note...

"""""Flow distorts the objects""""

Well, only by a difference in the base and target surfaces...

That is where the work is. To get a base surface that maps well to the target surface.

I think mike or chipp did a tute on this part

Ref:

https://vimeo.com/118113245?width=800&height=480

Cuty luxuous!

Brian, thank you for your ideas !

Hi Burrman. I added an example surface with a 2mm gem.

"""""Flow distorts the objects / Well, only by a difference in the base and target surfaces...
That is where the work is. To get a base surface that maps well to the target surface.""""

Thats a hint, I need to take a deeper look !

>> https://vimeo.com/118113245?width=800&height=480<<

Have not seen this one - good find !

The frog's back is close to being a developable surface, a portion of a cylinder.

- Brian

Aaaaannnnndddddddd.......

Couldn't do it... sorry.

The surface chops up into strips. There is still some double curvature.
Wish I knew how to run Rhino unroll or smash.

Rhino demo, free and functional for 90 days, installed today. It took over my .3dm data type...
No clue how to run Rhino.

I did a little unwrapping in MoI of the curves copied from the strip edges, but am quiting now.

- Brian

I'll delete this file in a day or two.

Hi Tom,

I can tell you from personal experiance there was at least four Jewellers using MoI back in the very early days (V1)
Some of those like myself have continued with MoI but in my own case, I'm no longer using it for jewellery.
Most moved back to Rhino because R4 already had a lot of the dedicated jewellery based Plug-in's.
The "leader" of those jewellery Plug-in's was Matrix which had superior Pave scripts & used a custom version of V-Ray for rendering.

My question for you is are you creating a "real-world" CAD model or just a render with your resultant pave model?

HTH, Colin

Hi,
came across this method and gave it a try.

http://v5.rhino3d.com/m/discussion?id=6377196%3ATopic%3A99631
Equi distanced objects on surface

http://moi3d.com/forum/lmessages.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6602.2
Moi3d method of getting offset curve on surface

Created grid lines on surface using above methods and then
array along curves by distance and align to surface.

Cheers
Barry

Hi, very good to talk to a jewellery designer.
Your question : My task is to create a design concept / rendering which should be realistic enough
to be manufactured as presented in the concept.
As the pave technique has been around a while I am asking myself which method was used to
distribute the gems regularly in the pre-digital era - it is quite challenge !
Regarding the picture posted I would be interested to know more about the technique used as
it differs from the common prongs - do you have any idea ?
The current auto-pave tools within Rhino seem to be very powerful though my question is if
they just fill up the surface randomly or if it is possible to line the gems up in individual
pattern as well.
I am still uncertain which is the best way to solve the challenge within MOI - what would
be your approach ?

Thanks Brian, I did not get entirely which would be your approach ?!

Hi Barry, this looks very promising ! Thank you - I will have a look into
your links right now !