Hi YHWH_777,

> For example, say you create a cube that is 1x1x1 in size. Then you create an array that is
> 10x10x1 with a spacing of 1x1. You will now have 100 cubes in a 10x10 array. What if I
> wanted to change the size of the cubes from 1x1x1 to 1.5x1.5x1.5?

In the case you're describing here just selecting everything and running the Scale command and use a scale factor of 1.5 and the end result of that will have cubes of size 1.5x1.5x1.5 .

That will also increase the spacing between items to be 1.5 units as well.

There is not currently any automatic method that you would use for increasing the size of the cubes while also maintaining the same 1 unit separation between them. Just sizing each one "in place" would not work for that either - since the objects would increase in size the space between them would actually decrease. You would need to both size and move each item in order for the space between them to remain a constant distance.

I'd recommend just deleting all the cubes and making a new array if you needed that level of control over the sized result.

If you need to do this kind of thing a lot you might want to look into using a parametric CAD program for that part of the modeling rather than MoI - in a parametric CAD program you would probably be able to set up some system of spacing constraints that would allow for the kind of adjustments that you are talking about. Check out Alibre or Solidworks for that kind of stuff.

- Michael

Michael:

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not concerned about keeping the spacing between the objects the same.

As you stated, scaling all of the objects together would increase the spacing between the objects as well. I don't want the scaling to increase. In other words, I don't want the objects to change their position in the x,y,z axis.

I only want to increase the size of the objects alone (which in turn would decrease the spacing between the objects).

Thanks.

Hi YHWH_777, the easiest way is to just delete all the objects except for the one in the corner and to scale that one, then make a new array.

Is there any reason that would not work for you?

In the future I want to have an "instancing" mechanism that would allow similar objects to be based off of a single base definition and then changing the base definition would update all the objects in place like you're describing. MoI does not yet have that mechanism though.

So probably the most simple method right now is to just remake the array.

- Michael

Here is a visual example:

I would like to go from something like in the first attachment to something like in the second attachment.

The objects stay in their respective positions, but they change in scale.

Is there any way to do this? Is it possible to script the scale function to automatically loop through an array of objects?

Hi YHWH_777,

> Is there any way to do this?

The easiest way is to delete all the objects except the one in the lower-left corner, then remake the array using the same spacing you used for the first one.

That will produce the result you are looking for, you don't really need any fancy script for that, just making a new array will do it and the work involved is minimal.

There are ways you could script it - see Pilou's reply above for some links to some scripts like "ScaleArray" that do apply a scale factor to objects separately in a loop. It's focused on modifying the scale factor to produce a kind of tapered scale effect, not quite the same as what you look here but it has the basic template that you would follow if you wanted to make a new script.

- Michael

<< Hi YHWH_777, the easiest way is to just delete all the objects except for the one in the corner and to scale that one, then make a new array.

Is there any reason that would not work for you?>>

Yes, that wouldn't really work very well for me.

First off, I have lots of objects. After they were arrayed, I offset them slightly from their position.

In addition, I have named the objects, styled/colored the objects, exported the objects from MoI (to OBJ/MTL), imported the objects into a renderer, setup the objects in the other renderer, and rendered the scene.

Starting from scratch would mean that I would have to redo all of those steps (which would take many, many hours).

I can make modifications to the scene and reimport everything as long as the linkages are the same (which is based off of the style names in the OBJ/MTL files). So I am trying to modify the scene slightly (by resizing the objects) and then reimport. Hence the question.

Is there any way to script this by selecting the objects and then having each object call the scale function?

Hi YHWH_777,

> Is there any way to script this by selecting the objects and
> then having each object call the scale function?

Yes, that's possible, see the ScaleArray script that Pilou mentioned above for a starting point.

It's also possible though by just using Scale and Move in combination with one another - apply the scale to all objects using a scale factor of 1.5 like I described above, and then to counter-act the spacing increasing you can select a row of objects and move them by 0.5 units over, add the next row and move by 0.5, etc... after doing that to all rows and columns you will have adjusted their spacing back to what you need, without recreating the whole array.

- Michael

So as soon as you make some copy of something just thing to put a point on the pivot
for future multiple scaling! :)

Hi YHWH_777, here is a plug-in that will do what you are asking about.

Unzip it and copy it into the \commands sub-folder inside of MoI's main installation folder. That will then make a new command named ScaleIndividual. To trigger it set up a shortcut key with ScaleIndividual as the command name part of the shortcut.

When you run it, it will ask you for objects to scale, and then a scale factor and when you push Done it will scale each object by that scale factor using the center of the object's bounding box as the scale origin.

- Michael

Bravo!
Works like a charm!



PS What is the pivot Point ? the BoundingCenterBox of the individual object?

PSs A circular selection is inside the pipeline ?

Hi Pilou,

> PS What is the pivot Point ? the BoundingCenterBox of the individual object?

Yup!


> PSs A circular selection is inside the pipeline ?

It's on the wishlist - I'm not sure right now exactly when it will happen.

- Michael

Cool!

there is something who makes difference in the commands folder between native commands and commands added like IndividualMove?
For example i don't remember if ExplodeMove is now a native command ?

Because i make some texts in numerous forum and of course people ask me where they can find this or these commands :)

(of course I will put them on my site but from there... :)

Hi Pilou,

> there is something who makes difference in the commands folder between native
> commands and commands added like IndividualMove?

Often times plug-in commands are more narrowly focused on just one person's particular problem, the "native commands" tend to be more more refined for more general purpose use.

But they are all just script files, there is no special marker on them for Windows Explorer to display bundled commands separately from ones that you have installed. To find the list of what you have installed yourself you could install a fresh copy of MoI to a new directory and compare the commands folders.


> For example i don't remember if ExplodeMove is now a native command ?

ExplodeMove is part of the standard installation now.

- Michael

Michael:

Thanks for the script. I took a look at the other scripts, but without a reference/manual or guidance, I was lost.

<< ... here is a plug-in that will do what you are asking about...>>

I tried to execute the script, but it doesn't seem to be functioning properly.

The upper right hand corner of the screen doesn't seem to be drawing properly. I can't enter the scaling factor.

See attachment...

FYI: I'm running Win7 64-bit.

Michael:

OK, I think I figured it out.

The script looks like it might be specific to the V3 Beta. I downloaded the V3 Beta and it seems to work properly.

Once again, thanks for all of your help.

Hi YHWH_777, looks like you might be using it with MoI v2? Try using it with the current v3 beta and it should work fine.

- Michael

EDIT: looks like you figured that out already.

It's probably a good idea that it doesnt update the view before the commit?

Added :)
http://moiscript.weebly.com/scaleindividual.html

http://moiscript.weebly.com/rotateobjects.html
added :)

Hi Burr,

> It's probably a good idea that it doesnt update the view before the commit?

Yeah it tends to take a bit of extra time for a script to process all the stuff, so I figured it should just update stuff once after it has all the information. Also it tends to be easier to write a script that way, it usually takes extra work to do dynamic updating stuff.

- Michael