[Plugin] Contour Maker v1.6

TIG

Simon...

When you use the erase coplanar edges tool do you have hidden-geometry 'on'.
Then when you have the simplest mesh possible make the contours...

simon le bon

Hi Tig,

I had tried only with all edges unsmoothed.
So I just have tried with hidden geometry "on" as you say. The result is not bad but seems not the best.

++simon

TIG

It does exactly what you tell it to do...
If you move the mesh up in the Z by 1mm the result will change...
The contours are 'true' - the mesh might not be exactly as you hope BUT the 'contours' represent what is there...

simon le bon

Ah OK!
I think I began to understand how Contour maker works.

@unknownuser said:

The Contours always start their vertical spacing from Z=0 UP & DOWN.

simon

TIG

Here's v1.6 - http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=273795#p273795
Minor corrections to syntax [arguments all inside () ] that has no affect on results but covers possible future deprecation...

mitcorb

Hi,TIG:
Could you explain what you mean by possible future deprecation?
It suggests to me that other tools may not tolerate the use of this one?

TIG

A method's 'deprecation' is when a method or a part of a method is no longer 'used' or 'works'.
For example in many API examples in the guides it will say for things like:
entities.add_cline point1, point2
this works fine in past and current versions...
BUT the 'standard' way recommended in Ruby and guaranteed to stop faults is to use 'parenthesizes' to enclose all arguments, like this
entities.add_cline(point1, point2)
[Note NO space between the method and opening ( and the arguments are separated by ',']
This also gets over the occasional glitch that occurred in existing code with the new PC version of Ruby shipped with v8, for example in v7 this [probably] worked
my_command (x+y/2), z
in v8 it will fail because the first set of stuff inside the '()' is taken as all the arguments there are and the following ', z' throws an error, but changed to
my_command((x+y/2), z)
it then works for both versions and is also 'future-proof' as all of the arguments are now encapsulated inside the ()...

mitcorb

Thanks for your explanation, TIG
You are an amazing dude.
Another question. Could this tendency toward deprecation be the reason why older scripts that worked fine last year, suddenly do not work this week, even though the same SUversion is being used?

Didier Bur

Hi,

@unknownuser said:

Could this tendency toward deprecation be the reason why older scripts that worked fine last year, suddenly do not work

Yes, especially since SU8 is out. The API "uses" a newer version of Ruby that is less permissive, concerning arguments within brackets, no spaces between function name and arguments, and such boring coding stuff.

mitcorb

Didier wrote:
"...such boring coding stuff"
I am dragging this way off topic, but one more comment and I will quit.
I superficially understand that all of those punctuation marks and symbols are a way to organize the input, but why should input be so tedious? Just think about it, don't answer so that this thread can continue.

JGA

Thanks very much, it works well!

chenkl

Thanks TIG

pilou

Life is encapsuled (Life)

Keep the good work

CAD Addict

I haven't had time to try it, but I have a question.

Isn't it the same as the Sandbox tools can do?

What does it do better than the standrads sandbox?

Thanks

TIG

@cad addict said:

I haven't had time to try it...
Isn't it the same as [what] the Sandbox [does]...?
What does it do... better...?...

No, it's quite different!
The 'opposite' tool in fact...
The Sandbox tool takes contours supplied to it, that are already set at the correct heights, and makes a mesh surface from them.
The ContourMaker tool takes a mesh surface and it makes [grouped] contours from it.
Your mesh might not have been made from contour data at all, but contours can be very useful when visualizing a complex land-form - this tool lets you add them.

irwanwr

i'd like to try this plugin.
i'd like to see if i can draw (or model) a pond near a tent or a house perhaps.
i just love to draw

thank you

TIG

@irwanwr said:

i'd like to try this plugin.
i'd like to see if i can draw (or model) a pond near a tent or a house perhaps.
i just love to draw

thank you
Get it from the link in the first post in this thread...

irwanwr

umm... i think i still cannot understand how it works and to use it though
need to learn more about instruction, mesh definition, etc.

TIG

The contours are cut through a grouped mesh [e.g. a terrain surface that is a group]...

marvins_dad

Man that is sweet Tig!
Thanks for another great ruby!