[Plugin] Spherical Helix (Luxodrome) 1.1

simon le bon · 11 Sept 2010, 19:26

Dear Dave,
First I have no idea with the process you have used to produce this rendered luxodrome

But I like it very much.

secondly,

@dave r said:

../
I made a spherical helix, copy, rotated it 60 degrees (I think) and used Chris's Simple Loft to make the ribbon
have you really used Chris's Simple Loft to make the ribbon? As far as I Know about it we can't skin two joining curves with it!! If there is a way, please be kind to report it.

Dear Regular Polygon,
thank you for this new plugin. I have I think bookmarked each of them.

++simonlebon

Dave R · 11 Sept 2010, 22:55

Simon,

In both cases I used Simple Loft and set the number of segments to 1. The ends of the helices are trimmed off so they are close to in alignment. They actually don't touch each other. It does seem like a long wait for the plugin once you start it but you just wait a little bit and it creates the skin just fine. Your super computer may be much faster than my old dinosaur.

As far as rendering the first one, I used some sketchy line style and rough paper texture style I have (can't remember which) and then exported a JPG. I added some grain, haze and the purplish gradient in Picasa.

mequan · 12 Sept 2010, 00:23

I don't download!!! Why????

Dave R · 12 Sept 2010, 00:54

The link at the bottom of the original post should take you to Regular Polygon's blog from which you should be able download the plugin.

Dave R · 12 Sept 2010, 01:10

More playing. I should be doing work.

Regular Polygon · 12 Sept 2010, 03:06

A spherical barber pole! That looks great, Dave.

simon le bon · 12 Sept 2010, 12:10

@dave r said:

Simon,

In both cases I used Simple Loft.../
.../I added some grain, haze and the purplish gradient in Picasa.

Clever & Simple as usual dear Dave. Thanks a lot , simon.

Regular Polygon · 9 Oct 2010, 19:01

Update to Version 1.1.

The original version used an approximation to compute the points on the curve -- unfortunately, I couldn't solve the math for the exact equations. Since then, I came across the equations that do compute the exact values for the coordinates of each point. They are implemented in Version 1.1.

The difference in the spherical helix between the two versions is not really noticeable. But, if you are doing something that requires accuracy, then it might be worth downloading this latest version.

watkins · 9 Oct 2010, 21:26

Perhaps it is time to bundle your plugins into one folder with a toolbar. I'm sure that CADFather could come up with some pretty good icons.

Thank you for all your hard work.

Kind regards,
bob

Regular Polygon · 9 Oct 2010, 22:39

Well, I only have 8 or 9 plugins at this point. Once I hit an even dozen, I should release an author-menu type plugin. That would be an option for people who like to organize their plugins by author.

watkins · 10 Oct 2010, 10:49

That would be good, but a toolbar would be better (well, for me anyway).

What new plugins do you have in the pipeline?

Kind regards,
Bob

Regular Polygon · 11 Oct 2010, 06:18

Thanks for your feedback, Bob. I'll think about your toolbar suggestion -- or, at least, let it simmer on the back burner.

So, what is in the pipeline? Well, when I am not distracted with the 3D printed lamp Design Challenge, I am working on a new project. All I can say at this point is that it does not involve geometry creation -- for once. If I don't hit any snags, I should have a lot more to say about it in a couple weeks.

watkins · 11 Oct 2010, 10:03

I look forward to being surprised and delighted.

Kind regards,
bob