First! if you are looking for a real loft tool, this is not it - yet! This is a solidly working loft tool, but it is missing a key piece (or two) of lofting that will get introduced later. Also, those missing pieces are what make it super fun to use, so this will only be marginally exciting Seriously though, this is not a full release of the script. Read the comments below and watch the video and hopefully that is enough to make the useage of the script clear. I'd like to use this thread for suggestions and comments!
What's new
I've now added the bezier curve support. So notice that it is not a straight line that connects spline to spline. They are actually connected on a bezier curve. WooHoo!!!!!!!
Rules of Operation.
Activate the loft tool.
Select the first spline, then the next, and on and on. The order you select them is the order they will be connected.
Each spline MUST have the same amount of segments. I'll fix that later, sorry for now.
The spline can't be connected to any faces.
The script won't tell you've made a bad selection, it just stops working.
After selecting all splines, hit Enter.
Set the number of segements that will be filled in between each spline.
What's missing
I mentioned before, each spline must have the same amount of segments. I know how to fix that, it just takes time to write it.
I'll add more User Interface stuff, making it more clear if a good selection has been made or not.
Whatever you folks suggest! (well, and I have to be able to program it...
Chris, don't believe him. You are NOT unbelievable! ... but nearing extremely unbelievable .
In Rhino, it has prompts to pick the 1st curve, then another prompt to pick the next curve and press [Enter] if done, etc.
If you implemented something similar, you could then have a error check at that point to see if the curve selected was valid or not; if it was then go to a "pick another" prompt and if not then a different prompt stating the problem and what to do to remedy the issue. Just an idea.
John
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Last edited by JClements on Thu May 14, 2009 7:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I have one complaint! Every time I add another awesome script, I have to re arrange my toolbars . You the man! Thank you so much. I really appreciate your hours of coding to you put in that benefits all of us so much. I can't thank you enough!
Jeff
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Have I mentioned how much of a laugh I get out of some of the Signatures on here!
materialdb wrote:It's like the curvsticher .. I'm looking forward for the bezier-functionality!
Yeah, that is precisely right. Currently it is only marginally better than curve stitcher (For example, mine is faster, doesn't twist geometery like shown in the video, and you can subdivide to make it a smother mesh, and it works with more than just 2 curves). But like you say, its the bezier connections that will make this awesome! I'm working on that right now and I should be able to get something up and running today.
I'm wondering what will be the the missing key piece.
There is not too much to say because you mention most of the problems in "what´s missing". Having to Make the Splines with the same amount of segments is perhaps the problem that makes it more difficult to use.
No, not at this point. Only works with open "splines" that do not close, and they have to have the same amount of edge segments.
And unfortunately, getting it to work with closed splines will take a lot of re-programming I probably won't get to that very soon. But in time. Its definitely do-able. I just need to re-think some things.
PS: Yes, I got the PM. I will have to get back to you on that, it sounds very interesting. And I might need some pictures to help wrap my head around the entire idea
Sorry, its a big video. about 30mb and it takes a long time to load sometimes. So open that front page in another tab and let it load while you browse other pages.
Chris
EDIT: Or, as it turns out, I forgot to actually upload it to my server. Try it again, thanks for the heads up!
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Last edited by Chris Fullmer on Fri May 15, 2009 11:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
can you please tackle the problems of cold nuclear fusion and faster than light travel, after you finish this plugin?
just a question... what if I WANT straight lines connecting faces? You know... for something that doesnt look organic... dunno... like a ship hull or something... maybe you can add, in the final version, option for connecting with splines or lines?
@Chris: Thanks for another excellent effort in this Loft Tool. This is to confirm proof of concept in the wild. I remodeled my guitar neck/body heel transition, and it worked very well.
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I take the slow, deliberate approach in my aimless wandering.
Seriously though, this is not a full release of the script. Read the comments below and watch the video and hopefully that is enough to make the useage of the script clear. I'd like to use this thread for suggestions and comments!
I probably won't get to that very soon. But in time. Its definitely do-able. I just need to re-think some things.
Try it again, thanks for the heads up!
