Turn 3dmodel into equivalent triangles

hakopdetak

Hi

For a project i need to turn 3D models into only equivalent triangles

It's no problem that the triangles deform the shape (explained: http://www.freebits.nl/images/614beer.jpg )

Tis can be done by exporting, scripting a modifier..doesn't really matter..It just needs to turn the model into equivalent triangles.
I use sketchup, rhino or 3dmax,
but if you have another program or tool I don't mind trying it out...

Hopefully you can help me out, or give me some keywords to look for...

dave

Aerilius

It sounds like you want to triangulate a model.

In SketchUp, you can export to various formats, and in the "Save" dialog is an options button. If you export to Collada, you can set the option to "triangulate", and then import again and set the option not to "merge coplanar faces".

Or you use a plugin like triangulateFaces.rb.

hakopdetak

Hi Aerilius

thanks a lot for your reply!
The export method didn't work...they need to be only equivalent triangles...nothing else
The plugin does the same thing..makes it triangles but not equivalent

other options?
We really need to transform a lot of models so something like a plugin or export method would be great
Does anyone know someone who can make a piece of script/software who can turn a 3d model into equivalent triangles?

pilou

you want to say : triangles must have each the same aera ?

mitcorb

Looking at the image of the bears made me think of one of the features of Artisan: Reduce polygons. But maybe this is not what you want, either.

jaceguay

I think you mean to remake the topology of the model?
As sketchup and many 3d applications that supports B-Mesh, when converted to triangles there is usually a mess, outside sketchup there is some alternatives that feature auto retopo but I don´t believe there is a universal solution, so you may consider manual retopology, modeling with the regular triangles that you want on top of your current model.
I don´t use MAX but try to export your model and import it into blender, use the remesh modifier and under mode choose Smooth, be aware the poly-count will drastically increase, you can use the decimate modifier below the remesh to reduce the polygon count.

Dan Rathbun

@hakopdetak: Are you REALLY using SketchUp version 4 ????

If so please upgrade to the latest version 8 available at:
http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/gsu8/download.html

sketch3d.de

if mesh formatting/tweaking is desired, check the free MeshLab too.

Norbert