Hi Michael,

I'm not going to keep flogging this dead horse: I just wanted to make a final proposal.

After selection of the item to be flowed, the dialogue box would prompt "select base curve, surface or point cage".

If point cage is selected, the software expects that the flow targets will be an inner point array and outer point array.

I think this approach is consistent with the MOI philosophy of limited suite of tools with multiple functionality based
on input. (why have a specific tool for each of "Flow Along Curve", "Flow Along Surface", & "Paneling Tools", when
they could be folded into a single powerful tool: "Flow").

It is just a thought.
-James

BELOW IMAGE: Rhino 3d Panel & target point arrays

Hi James, my first thought is that it would be pretty awkward for a user to set up multiple point arrays like that and deal with selecting them.

I'd think that it would be easier for someone to use a dedicated tiling tool where they'd be able to give a number of points in U and V and then that script would generate that whole result for them rather than doing it in individual stages trying to manage all those points at the same time.

But a similar thing that might be easier to build into Flow though would be an option in Flow for a number of tiles in U and V to generate, although that would probably generate curved walls on the output same as if you did a Flow on the curved surface right now. Maybe a "segmented" option could be added for that effect though.

For a point cage approach I don't really understand how a user is going to easily create and manage all those points though, that seems like a lot of specialized set up would be required.

- Michael

Hi Michael,

>>it would be pretty awkward for a user to set up multiple point arrays like that and
deal with selecting them.....seems like a lot of specialized set up would be required.<<

I have only used an early WIP mac version of rhino which did not have this functionality.

Is the the setup for paneling tools in Rhino awkward and a lot of specialized set up required?

The initial point array is generated from a surface, and the second may be simply an offset of the first.
Though by manipulating the second point array, the resulting pattern may have a varied topology
across the surface as shown the rhino images in earlier post.

.>>But a similar thing that might be easier to build into Flow though
would be an option in Flow for a number of tiles in U and V to generate,
although that would probably generate curved walls on the output same
as if you did a Flow on the curved surface right now.<<

Node editor already handles the tiling of flowed items, it is the deformation
of the tessellation as a whole rather than individually that is the problem.
Is this what you me by a "segmented" option?

You mentioned "cage edit" in your first reply.
Is that something planned for Moi3d?

I think you are right: cage editing functionality together with
node editor for coupling of control vertices of the cage to
the points of 2 point arrays would solve this problem.

No doubt there is a better way, and if anyone can find it, it's you.

-James

Hi James,

> Is the the setup for paneling tools in Rhino awkward and a lot of specialized set up required?

Well, that's a special purpose tool that was created for architects to use in construction planning for complex forms. So it's for technical users who need to solve a technical problem, it's easy for a tool with an audience like that to have a lot of options and controls in it which that type of advanced user may need.


> Node editor already handles the tiling of flowed items, it is the deformation
> of the tessellation as a whole rather than individually that is the problem.
> Is this what you me by a "segmented" option?

Yeah, if I understand you correctly - maybe a "segmented" option could create a surface bounded by 4 lines for each tile zone and use that as the target surface for that individual tile, rather than the main target surface. One thing to note is that a surface made from 4 boundary lines is usually non-planar if the endpoints are all on a curved surface, except in special cases.


> You mentioned "cage edit" in your first reply.
> Is that something planned for Moi3d?

Yes, it is something I want to add. I do not have a firm schedule for when yet though.

- Michael

So far, I can think of two nice tools / features to add to MoI. First would be the ability to choose two splines or curves and generate a 3rd one that's in between and/or the average of the two and the second would be to select a curved surface and to be able to flatten/straighten it out with minimal distortion (so that you can use it as a reference surface for flow later on).

Hey Larry,
""""""""""""" the ability to choose two splines or curves and generate a 3rd one that's in between and/or the average of the two """""""""""""""""

Morph between 2 curves by max, located here:

http://moi.maxsm.net/item/14/category/1

There is also one called a "bisector line" (and also line morph) which may be a bit different (used for finding specific points in layout) here:

http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=3745.52

http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=3745.41

Hi Larry, if you need install instructions for any of the scripts above, please see FAQ #1 : How do I install a plug-in script?

For your 2nd request, flattening a generic curved surface with actual "minimal distortion" is a big complex area of work. But if you want it for use in Flow you probably don't want minimal distortion, you probably want the same distortion that Flow will be using anyway. For that try the script from here: http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6067.23 - that one you set up on a shortcut key and just paste the entire script that's shown in the message into the Command part of the shortcut key instead of copying any files around.

Hope that helps!

- Michael

Things I would love:
- better scene management (instances, nested groups)
- line types and weights for curves, that can be maintained during the export in .AI and .DXF formats.
- annotations (dimensions and editable text tool)
- option to clip the view of the current CPlane (clipping plane)

These are the most useful to me.
M.

...Not sure how plausible...
a macro recorder with JavaScript output would be great for those of us who are not so sophisticated with coding.

Well, this is a "Wish" List...
-- MindSet

That's the way (I think) how should works fillet and chamfer

Seems my gif file from free DesignSpark Mechanical! :)

I believe BOTH ways (to a point and fusions constant, are valuable.

ehmm
yes :)

for me that a wish for V4 would be a Linux version - as I still haven't managed to get MoI usable through WINE. I can get it to run easily but there's a visual glitch that makes it non workable (it's like display is one frame behind actual state - for example when I make a selection the "marquee" stays on screen until I move the cursor. What's worse this affects highlighting the selection - tough to explain , if anyones interested I can work out a video). Tried on 3 different systems, with different configuration - happens every time.
And damn, I would really love to have a NURBS modeler on Linux - apart from mid lvl video editing , CAD is something where choices on Linux suck badly. At the very least dcc apps are covered thx to Modo / Maya / Houdini (... and Blender).

Michael I was wondering if you have any plans of incorporating real time filetting in V4 ( a la Spaceclaim, DesignSpark).
To me it is MOI's main weakness/time sink right now.
Thanks

Hi niko, I've had some thoughts that I'd like to look into that. So we'll see - no firm plans yet though. It depends on getting filleting handled by a different geometry library and how reliable the library is.

- Michael

I don't know if anyone already posted, but I suppose that numeric coordinates editor is a must also.

Hi glmr, I would definitely not take away numeric input for the fillet radius value, the part that would be modified would be setting it using the mouse.

- Michael

I mean objects and gropus position/orientation. X,Y,Z with a possibility to move them via coordinates system.

Hi glmr, you can already use the Transform > Move command currently to move a point on an object to a specific X,Y,Z coordinate already.

I guess you're asking though about objects having a sort of "local axis" point that you could set. That tends to be something that's used by animation systems though and not so much with CAD programs like MoI.

EDIT: Well except for instancing, that should have that type of thing.

- Michael