[Plugin] Simple Loft alpha 0.1b -- UPDATED May-15-09

Chris Fullmer · 14 May 2009, 17:48

UPDATED! 5-15-09

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...

UPDATED VIDEO!!!
[flash=574,493:exnrdmjk]http://www.chrisfullmer.com/chrisfullmer/forums/loft_01b.swf[/flash:exnrdmjk]

old video. Its still good to watch, but some things have changed.
http://www.chrisfullmer.com/forums/loaf_alpha_1a.swf

Chris

v0.1b alpha

CadFather · 14 May 2009, 18:03

you're unbelievable Chris! : )

Ben Ritter · 14 May 2009, 18:38

For a guy like me, nothing's missing.

Thanks.

JClements · 14 May 2009, 18:38

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

Click Draw · 14 May 2009, 19:02

Hi Chris,

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

alpro · 14 May 2009, 19:08

Thanks Chris, much appreciated.

Mike

Frederik · 14 May 2009, 20:21

Dang, Chris... This is awesome...!!
Thanks...!!

materialdb · 14 May 2009, 20:29

It's like the curvsticher .. I'm looking forward for the bezier-functionality!

great work! keep it up!!

Chris Fullmer · 14 May 2009, 22:27

@materialdb said:

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.

Chris

Daniel S · 14 May 2009, 22:34

Looks great!! Very good first version Chris!!

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.

Congratulations and thank you!!!

Daniel S

AcesHigh · 14 May 2009, 22:53

can it already connect closed lines to open ones?

Chris Fullmer · 14 May 2009, 22:58

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.

Chris

utiler · 14 May 2009, 23:21

Very nice Chris, you really have a handle on what is needed.....

BTW, I PM'd you about another idea for a script.

Chris Fullmer · 14 May 2009, 23:31

Thanks Andrew!

Chris

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

utiler · 14 May 2009, 23:46

Will send you a few pics and video's....

Chris Fullmer · 15 May 2009, 09:30

UPDATE! Script and video updated.

I've now got the bezier connections from spline to spling working. What does that mean?

Essentially the lofting actually works now. Its a huge improvement.

You still need to make all splines have the same amount of segments though. That will be the next piece I tackle, I promise!

Chris

thomthom · 15 May 2009, 10:13

video isn't loading.... Just get a white square...

thomthom · 15 May 2009, 10:22

It doesn't have a loading screen?

Chris Fullmer · 15 May 2009, 10:22

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!

Chris Fullmer · 15 May 2009, 10:23

Oh your fast. Sorry, yeah I didn't upload it. So its uploading and should be ready now to try again.

Thanks for pointing it out!

Chris

EDIT: Still having issues....hold on.

EDIT AGAIN: OK, now its working!