Feature request for V5... add dimension field to POLYGON data entry fields

I would to be able to:
1. select POLYGON
2. select the desired option (Center, Edge, Star)
3. enter the desired number of SIDES (sidebar question... can the default number of sides by set in the .ini file?)
4. tab to a new 'dimension' field (below the SIDES field?) to enter the desired polygon dimension (eg, the CIRCUMSCRIBED dimension if selected). I'd also prefer to have the entered dimension match my USER PREFERENCES for DIAMETER vs RADIUS or vice versa, eg, use DIAMETER if CIRCLES is set to use DIAMETER (or provide an .ini option to set the preferred default).

For example, if I'm using the current implementation correctly(?) for a CENTER drawn polygon, the TAB button cycles between SIDES and CIRCUMSCRIBED. To enter the desired CIRCUMSCRIBED dimension, I have to move the cursor to the XYZ data entry box to enter the desired dimension. Or create the polygon and then edit the dimensions.

Obviously not a significant change functionally but would potentially improve my workflow when creating polygons.

Thanks as always for this great CAD program!

Scott

Hi Scott,

re:
> (sidebar question... can the default number of sides by set in the .ini file?)

The default comes from this line in the Polygon.htm file inside the commands install folder:

<td><moi:UnsignedIntegerInput id="numsidesinput" default="5"/></td>

You could change that to default="8" for example.

Another thing you can do is set up a shortcut key which will set it to a particular value. For
that you would put in this for the shortcut key:

Polygon numsidesinput=9


re:
> For example, if I'm using the current implementation correctly(?) for a CENTER drawn polygon,
> the TAB button cycles between SIDES and CIRCUMSCRIBED. To enter the desired CIRCUMSCRIBED
> dimension, I have to move the cursor to the XYZ data entry box to enter the desired dimension.

Yes you need to set distance constraint to control it currently, by entering the distance value in
the XYZ (or "d") input control like you describe.

The main reason why the polygon command doesn't have a radius input field is that it's not fully
defined by a radius value alone, it still needs a point to be placed to control the orientation of
the polygon.

I guess it could be possible to have a radius/diameter field there which would do the same thing
as setting distance constraint. One thing that's potentially problematic with that though would
be that there would effectively be 2 different spots where you would be setting distance
constraint and what should I do if you enter in a different value in one control vs another.

Another thing I've been meaning to set up for some time is a shortcut that would put focus in the
XYZ control always and not in the command option fields like Tab does. Like maybe Ctrl+Tab.

- Michael

Hi Michael,
So with regards to modifying the polygon.htm file....

MoI's structure is that the htm and js files have the same name to address each other.

I just wanted to be sure. Or possibky suggest a pointer in an htm file to a js file.

So why i ask, is "i" would make a polygon3-polygon5 and polygon8 htm file etc. As many as i like, though they all only really need polygon.js

Not more js files just for the name match.

But really, its not overly intrusive. Just wanted to ask about if it worked that way now, and i didn't know it

"Why that's IMPOSSIBLE"

No no no. "I was inverted"!!!

Thanks Ice!

:) It's kind of crazy there's going to be a new movie after so many years.

- Michael

It will have been 11 years since i have been to one. Gonna take my son, who is 16 now!!! Can't wait!

Hi Michael

Thank you for the solution to my sidebar question.

After reading your explanation re my request for a polygon 'dimension' field, I did find a workaround solution that streamlines my workflow to some extent. I discovered that after selecting the desired polygon shape, I can enter the desired polygon dimension (radius) in the 'd' field as my first entry. This 'd' value then remains active until I finalize the polygon orientation. So with this workflow I'm able to 'preset' the polygon radius which works fine for my purposes.

Would adding a redundant 'd' field in the polygon settings section (under SIDES?) possibly make this workflow simpler without causing the conflicts you mentioned earlier? Or would a redundant 'd' field be potentially confusing/inconsistent with the MoI UI?

Again, not a big issue for me and especially given the workaround I mentioned above. Just highlighting in case you thought this one might be a possible MoI workflow improvement.

Cheers

Scott

Hi Scott,

re:
> Would adding a redundant 'd' field in the polygon settings section (under SIDES?) possibly
> make this workflow simpler without causing the conflicts you mentioned earlier? Or would
> a redundant 'd' field be potentially confusing/inconsistent with the MoI UI?

Well the problem is I'm not sure about the answers to these questions so that makes me
hesitate.

One thing that I have done though is I've made Ctrl+Tab work to always put keyboard focus into
the XYZ input control and not into the command specific options area like plain Tab does.

So you'll be able to use Ctrl+Tab and then type a number into the XYZ input to set distance
constraint without any clicks needed.

- Michael

Hi Michael,

Would it be possible to add a description column to the Shortcut Keys for clarity? Longer descriptions can be used.

Thank you,
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

re:
> Would it be possible to add a description column to the Shortcut Keys for clarity? Longer descriptions can be used.

At some point I would like to have it set up so that you only see a description like that where it comes from some kind of script library. But I don't know when that will happen.

Probably the next area of work for keyboard shortcuts will be to do multi key sequences.

- Michael

"Probably the next area of work for keyboard shortcuts will be to do multi key sequences."
What you mean?
Maybe the possibility to crate shortcuts commands like in Autocad or Rhinoceros?
e.g.

OF --> space bar = offset
BEV --> space bar = Bevel
BOO --> space bar = boolean
BOU --> space bar = boolean union
BOD --> space bar = boolean difference

In Autocad you can use space-bar or enter key to execute the command

I hope you can add that type of shortcuts commands.

BEV --> space bar = Bevel
BOO --> space bar = boolean

How is made the difference when you press the Space Bar ?
or you write first BEV then Press the Space Bar ?
or you Press the Space Bar then write BEV ?
or...

Hi pafurijaz,

re:
> Maybe the possibility to crate shortcuts commands like in Autocad or Rhinoceros?
> e.g.
>
> OF --> space bar = offset
> BEV --> space bar = Bevel
> BOO --> space bar = boolean
> BOU --> space bar = boolean union
> BOD --> space bar = boolean difference

The method that I was referring to was about using multiple keys in sequence without needing to push Enter or Space, like:

BD = Boolean difference
BU = Boolean union

The way you're talking about isn't so much a keyboard shortcut, it's a "command alias". You can make those
right now in MoI if you want, in moi.ini set:
[UI]
CommandLineTypeTextEntry=y
TreatSpaceAsEnter=y

The first one will make your keystrokes go into the XYZ input without needing to push Tab first and the second one
makes the space work the same as Enter.

Then create a script file of your alias name like if you want OF + space bar = offset to work, make a file named
of.js inside the MoI appdata commands folder and put this inside it:

moi.command.execCommand( 'offset' );

With that in place then you can type of + space bar to run the offset command just as you are describing.

- Michael

OK Micheal, thanks, I've already done a command with moi like what you suggested, but there is a way to make only one file with these alias without making many separated files?
Greetings

Hi pafurijaz,

> OK Micheal, thanks, I've already done a command with moi like what you suggested,
> but there is a way to make only one file with these alias without making many separated files?

No currently you would need to make a separate file for each alias.

- Michael

Hi,
I'm glad to see that my request is going through! (shortcuts with two letters)

http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=10114.81

-Zooen

Hi Micheal, for now I think is also great the option to have the possibility to use two consecutive keys, this can give us a lot of possibility.
Greetings

Hi Michael,

I hope your are doing well :-)

I've got a quick question for you, is there a way to have filled 2D shapes as a PDF when one saves as PDF? I mean I want to have filled 2D shapes on my PDF file and not just outlines.
Or Moi 3D already has this ability and I am not aware of?

Best,
Psygorn

Hi Psygorn, some of the parts of dimensions like arrowheads and text will be filled shapes in the exported PDF file but there isn't currently a way set up for a regular drawn curve to be filled. If you make a surface out of a closed curve, it will have a background image underneath though.

- Michael