[Plugin] [CityGen] - Street Generator [WIP] (0.5.2a)

[thomthom]

This plugin is a work in progress. It's made public because it is a collaboration project.
This is in it's very early beginning, so lots of things will change, and lots of bugs are to be expected. Feel free to share your ideas or join in on this project. See this thread for the discussion of the overall project. This thread is the development thread for this specific module.

Street Generator
Generates streets from a set of centre line edges.

StreetGen.png

StreetGen_Properties2.png

Version 0.4.0 Adds option to generate faces for the blocks between the streets. (Separate module?)

StreetGen_Blocks.png

StreetGen_VariableWidth.png

The streets can have custom sizes - defined by the material applied to them. The properties are set in the material name. A street manager windows is planned, but not yet complete. Currently the only way to modify the street properties is manually editing the material name.
Example of material name: CG_Street_Main_W:20000mm

• CG_Street_Main_W:20000mm - Materials defining streets must start with this.
• CG_Street_Main_W:20000mm - Name of the Street. Not currently used - will be used later in the Street Manager.
• CG_Street_Main_W:20000mm - Defines the width of the street.

Requirements

• CityGen - Core (0.1.3a)

Code: Select all

# CHANGELOG
# 0.1.0a - 15.05.2009 (Thom)
#       * Initial build. Offset edges into streets.
#
# 0.2.0a - 24.05.2009 (Thom)
#       * Rounded corners.
#
# 0.3.0a - 30.05.2009 (Thom)
#       * Rounded corners are now created as part of the face itself. No more separate group.
#
# 0.3.1a - 31.05.2009 (Thom)
#       * Added check for the core and correct path installation.
#
# 0.3.2a - 31.05.2009 (Thom)
#       * Fixed a bug in the core installation check.
#
# 0.4.0a - 31.05.2009 (Thom)
#       * Finds the blocks between the streets and generates faces.
#        * Tags generated geometry.
#        * Version constant.
#
# 0.4.1a - 01.06.2009 (Thom)
#       * Fixed a syntax error.
#
# 0.5.0a - 02.06.2009 (Thom)
#       * Variable street width.
#
# 0.5.1a - 09.06.2009 (Thom)
#       * First draft to webdialog.
#
# 0.5.2a - 11.06.2009 (Thom)
#       * Some cleanups.
#       * Added separate submenu for Streets.


Developer Log
Generate Geometry
The streets generated is marked with an attribute dictionary named: 'CG_Streets'
The blocks between the streets is marked: 'CG_Block'

[rv1974]

I have this:
Error Loading File street_gen.rb
undefined method `menu' for City_Gen:Module

[thomthom]

I have this:
Error Loading File street_gen.rb
undefined method `menu' for City_Gen:Module

Check the "Requirements" - this is a module plugin that depend on another plugin. The comment to the download also points out where it's suppose to be stored as well.

[thomthom]

hmm.. I suppose I could make the module check if the core is loaded and that it's located in the correct location. I can see this being a recurring confusion.

[rv1974]

It works and it's so tasty. Thanks!
1/ Will it support 0 widht for filleting?
2/ There's wrong result in a simple L turn: inner radius=outer one (I guess it shuld be based on the offset principle)

[thomthom]

1/ Will it support 0 widht for filleting?

You mean just rounding the edges, not creating the road surfaces?

Or do you mean no corner radius? (If so, set the corner radius threshold to 180 degrees)

2/ There's wrong result in a simple L turn: inner radius=outer one (I guess it shuld be based on the offset principle)

Yea, left and right edge doesn't relate to each other. All corners get the same radius. I was thinking that the use was more to round the corners in a city environment than generating curved roads. As it is today, it's 'per design'. Keeping things simple. Though I'll keep in mind that it could generate a curve between two edges when there's not an intersection.

[thomthom]

Added ability to work out the blocks between the streets. Currently only finds the ones completely confined by roads. But hope to be able to detect more.

Is 'blocks' the right word?
Should this feature be a separate module?

[21D]

hoi Thom,
I just downloaded the Core and the street gen,
placed the core file in the plugins folder, and then placed the street gen file in the core folder,
but when i load SU, it gives me this error:

Code: Select all

Error Loading File city_gen.rb
C:/PROGRA~1/Google/GOOGLE~2/Plugins/City_Gen/street_gen.rb:75: syntax error

i then went and deleted the street gen file, and loads normally with only the core RB
i can find the city gen in the tools dropdown in both cases but only in the later can i load SU with out the error, would you know why???

[thomthom]

Sorry, my bad. A last second typo slipped in. Updated.
Thanks for catching that.

[dtrarch]

Hi Thomthom

Works perfect now with street_gen.rb in the City_Gen Folder.
Very nice idea and lots of fun to play with as it is.

Thx a bunch

dtr

[Pilou]

Your plug can be used also for makes buildings, bricks and parpen
Here
On the left
Protrude by Jim Foltz + Street Generator By ThomThom + Projection Random Pushpull by Didier Bur

On the right
Protrude by Jim Foltz + Street Generator By ThomThom + Join PushPull by Fredo6

testcg.jpg

[21D]

Sorry, my bad. A last second typo slipped in. Updated.
Thanks for catching that.

hey no prob mate,
I am one of those self proclaimed "BETA TESTERS" LOL
I am not at work right now so I won't be able to test it out again until tomorrow
but be assured that I am really into this great project of you guys,
because I for one am one of those users who know nothing of building "cities"
and being able to make one from scratch without much knowledge is an edge for me,
because i usually see a lot of great renders of city mock ups
and always wanted to do one for myself but again due to my lack of knowledge about this topic,
never got the chance to do one, UNTIL NOW.... well maybe not exactly now but in the near future, thanks to you guys.

again mate it's no problem
and thnx for all the effort you and all the other Ruby masters are putting in this Little Big Project

[thomthom]

On the left
Produde by Jim Foltz + Street Generator By ThomThom + Projection Random Pushpull by Didier Bur

That one looks like it could be the start of an ancient building ruin. ...that'd be interesting to put through a render...

[thomthom]

always wanted to do one for myself but again due to my lack of knowledge about this topic,
never got the chance to do one, UNTIL NOW

Well,.. I have to confess: I make stuff up as I go along. Lack of knowledge is no hinder. hehe

Once we got this project rolling, at some point I'd like to set up a thread titled "Build Rome in a Day".

Little Big Project

I like that name.

[Dave R]

Hei ThomThom,

How difficult would it be to make the Street Generator accept a radius value of 0? I don't have much opportunity to draw streets right now but I can see some possible other applications.

Ha det bra.

Dave

[sepo]

Thom, I think pavements should be part of the street generator. It would be useful to have ability to control width.
Btw would it be possible to control radius per individual street. In real life the radius is pretty much variable and depends on visibility...While we are on it would it be possible to include option for visibity splays as well.

[thomthom]

I think pavements should be part of the street generator. It would be useful to have ability to control width.

I was wondering if the module that splits the blocks into parcels should do that... ?

Btw would it be possible to control radius per individual street.

It would need some rewiring of the code to do so. Something I've set aside to look into later.

and depends on visibility...While we are on it would it be possible to include option for visibity splays as well.

[thomthom]

Hei ThomThom,

How difficult would it be to make the Street Generator accept a radius value of 0? I don't have much opportunity to draw streets right now but I can see some possible other applications.

At the moment, is you set the Minimum Rounding Angle (weird name - this'll get cleaned up when I get a webdialog working with better explanation and illustrations.) to more than 180 degrees there won't be any rounding.

Ha det bra.

Mange takk.

[Dave R]

Tusen takk.


Except for a few other words like lutefisk, lefse, gammelost and some boat-related words, I've about used up my Norwegian.

[thomthom]

Sounds like you got a good education in Norwegian traditions.

[Dave R]

I'm Norwegian by marriage. My 5 year old son knows more Norwegian than I do, though.

[sepo]

Visibility splays maybe too much to ask . It is relating to junctions and minimum amount of visibility required for vehicles to access main roads or roads general.It determines the building line and type of landscaping. I am thinking loud as I am hoping that tool will be more than for play. Here is just one example of it.
http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyre ... eNotes.pdf

Here is complete manual for designing streets
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/manforstreets/

Pavements, pedestrian and cycle routes are realy in public domain and not in private ownership (with few exception) and as such controlled by highway authority, that is at least in UK, and as such require particular standards.

[Chris Fullmer]

There is a balance between level of automation and level of reality I think. The more automated something is, the harder it is to make it create a realistic, true to life solution. To get a true solution, you can only automate small discreet tasks. It's impossible to feed a script a series of road centerlines and have it come up with a complete accurate city.

So I think the conversation that needs to happen is - exactly what variables would need to be known in order to design streets accurately from an urban designers view? The script would need to know the land use types of each street and block and then the designer would have to first input into the script how to react to every possible scenario.

I think something like this is do-able, but it would have to be very controlled what variables it needs. And I think it would need a LOT of data and parameters put into it before any reasonable results get output.

Just some thoughts. It would be interesting to develop, but an accurate automated city planning tool is a big undertaking.

Chris

[thomthom]

How would splay fit into the generator? It'd adjust each corner radius?
Or would it be some extra visualisation?

I could imagine this is something that could be extended further down the line. But it'd be a way off. Maybe something to go into a commercial plugin. Like Modulor's.

When you move from illustration to simulation things are getting a whole new dimension. There'd have to be a much greater 'knowledge' by the script to calculate thing properly. And that also means the people writing it needs some know-how to the subject.

[kwistenbiebel]

...as long as it remains easy to use, I would say.
Parametric solutions tend to become quite complicated in their attempt to be easy and complete. (e.g Revit...)

[thomthom]

...as long as it remains easy to use, I would say.
Parametric solutions tend to become quite complicated in their attempt to be easy and complete. (e.g Revit...)

Which I why we're keeping it simple for now. We can start looking into more complicated stuff later. And then I'm wondering if it'd be a separate module.

[thomthom]

I just updated the OP with a screenshot from 0.5.0 which I'm working on. Added variable street width.
I wonder if there should be an option to Radius: Distance From Corner. That you set the length from the corner where the radius should begin. Question is: what would be the desired default option?

[mitcorb]

Thomthom:
you asked what default distance from corner? In my city, the ordinances require a minimum setback from corner of 40 feet, or approx 12 meters. I believe there is some confusion here whether this should be measured from the intersection of the centerlines or from the intersection of the edges of the streets.
In practical terms, this minimum distance would not be safe if the streets have higher speed limits for vehicles. The setback distance should be established as a function of time as well as distance. But I digress.
Sincerely,
mitcorb

[thomthom]

you asked what default distance from corner?

No, if people preferred to set the radius of the corner (from the edge corner) or to specify the distance away from the edge corner to where the radius will begin.
Currently it simply rounds the edge corner by a given radius.

In practical terms, this minimum distance would not be safe if the streets have higher speed limits for vehicles. The setback distance should be established as a function of time as well as distance. But I digress.

At the moment this would be up to the user to work out. Calculating the radius by the estimated traffic speed would be an advanced feature for later.
At the moment this is as a simple tool for quick visualisation. Mostly for city area, so you'd just enter the average radius you want.

[Chris Fullmer]

I agree, simple radius is great.

And I forgot, did we decide that the street generator should create the sidewalks, or is that going to bein the block module? Or de we plan on their being a sidewalk module?

Chris