Good day.

Is there an easy way to convert lines to dashed or dotted line?

Tnx!

_PatternSelection by Max Smirnov

https://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6518.14

https://moi3d.com/download/scripts/max/PatternSelection.v.0.3.2014.02.20.zip

It seems what I need but I cannot get it to work.

I have extracted the 2 files in the command folder as ussual....set shortcut P _PatternSelection.

And nothing :/ Moi v4 here.

Hi Matadem, one other method is to generate a pattern of line segments using Transform > Array > Dir, and then map them onto a curve using Transform > Deform > Flow as described here:
https://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6518.6

To use _PatternSelection you would first need to split up the curve into pieces. You split up a curve into pieces by drawing a point object (Draw curve > More > Point) at the start of the curve, then select it and use Transform > Array > Curve to duplicate the point along the curve, then select the curve and run Edit > Trim and use the points as the cutting objects.

Then after you have the curve split up that's when you could use _PatternSelection . Before running it select all the pieces and then _PatternSelection can narrow the selection down by deselecting every other piece.

- Michael

Ok I am going to try these out...

The thing is I have on 1 file to convert about 15 pieces of line to dashed line that is for 1 job and I have like 20 different to do :/

This could be a nice feature in next Moi versions....select all needed lines and convert to dashed dotted or other presets with different lengths with a click of a button.

Vcarve doesnt do this either and some one made a script/gadget to convert the lines however you have to do it one by one.

One thing that I do find odd when I export from Pepakura as svg or dfx ..If I import this into a brother cutter that I have it does recognize the dashed lines and cut these.
But if I import into Moi and vcarve as a Svg and or dfx it just shows a normal line and cannot be cut as desired.

Tnx!

Hi Matadem, could you use something like Inkscape to load the SVG file and apply line style properties to it?

Or do you need the dashes as individual curves instead of as a line style?

- Michael

I am guessing to me the line type matters as long as vcarve can cut it I am good.
First pic is what I get in the brother software and this will cut it good. but the machine is too small and I need to get it in Vcarve to run it on a bigger machine.

Exporting as svg from Pepakura and import into inkscape i get the attached pic.
Which is what I want and need.....but when importing this into vcarve no more dashed lines.

How ever the same file imported into Moi I get the next attached pic (the same I get in vcarve)

Tnx!

Hi Matadem, I'm sorry I'm not sure if you are set up ok now or still need help.

> How ever the same file imported into Moi I get the next attached pic (the same I get in vcarve)

MoI does not support setting line style property for dahsed/dotted/solid type lines yet.

- Michael

another way could to use ReconstructCurve script to construct a polyline
On this Polyline, you use Separate
Next You use PatternSelection

Right or wrong ?

Just trying to make some sense of dashed lines:
Found some dash methods here:

https://threejs.org/docs/#api/en/materials/LineDashedMaterial.scale

Stroke = the Line segment portion of a Dash.
Dash = Stroke plus Gap.

User adjustable Default values, where the size is an index of the length, to be determined:
dashSize = 3
gapSize = 1
So stroke would equal 2, and gap would equal 1.

The total number of Dashes: dashNum = 100. (Plus one final Stroke?) User adjustable.

??? Scale = 1 ???
LineWidth = 1. (Just regular line segment MoI width?) (Fatlines?)
LineCap choices: butt???, round, square. Might be relevant for Fatline dashes?

- Brian

(And use the previously described Flow method to transfer to curved line)
A la chainmaker script.

FatLines script works for multiple curve segments.

Suggestion, Add LineCap choices to FatLines, (Fillet)

Here is a very good essay on "Data Visualization Using Lines, Dashes, Dots & Arrows".

https://medium.com/javascript-fanboi/2022-054-data-visualization-using-lines-262f2051b1b2

It is for Canvas, but the ideas could be applied to NURBS, IMHO.

- Brian

lineDashOffset property

Picture examples are given of LineCap properties Round, Square, and Butt.

I made a simple node to automate converting curves/lines to dashed lines.
open Nodeeditor => load attached node => select lines => update "Selected" node => run

Here's another node method

James
https://www.instagram.com/nodeology/

In the end I trimmed the lines to get things going...time consuming...
I am going to try the node editor as I did not use it yet for anything...

Attached a pic for the way to change it in Pepkura...fast...Change from solid line to dashed and or options.

Tnx!