[Plugin] MoveIt

Mike Lucey · 21 Nov 2007, 18:21

Thanks Jim, great script.

I think Juju has a very valid point. I think I
probably would be using a lot more Rubies if I
knew exactly what they could be used for. I
fully appreciate the efforts and generosity of
the Scripters though and can understand that
they probably feel that the explanations are
self explanatory.

Maybe we could consider preparing some examples
/ movies that explains there usefulness ?

Mike

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 18:22

Jim,
I cant get this to work with SU V5 [which I still do most of my work in] so I'm presuming it's set up for V6?
If this is the case, how easy would it be to make it V5 compatible?
Sorry for being a pain
Stu

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 18:22

@unknownuser said:

Jim,
I cant get this to work with SU V5 [which I still do most of my work in] so I'm presuming it's set up for V6?
If this is the case, how easy would it be to make it V5 compatible?
Sorry for being a pain
Stu

Stu,

Mover is not compatible with V5 since it is a WebDialog, which is a feature of V6. Have you looked at nudge.rb?

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 18:23

Thanks Jim,
Now I understand [well sort of].
As I mentioned, I have used nudge for a long time but find mover much more useful and easy to use. And I love the rotate function and its options. Used in combination with the x,y,z movements its pretty easy to get a random effect of , say, a soldier course of trees.
Stu

firkins · 21 Nov 2007, 18:23

A random button could either replace the 60 degree button (45+15), or add another row with a random button and an input box for rotation.

Just an idea.

rhankc · 21 Nov 2007, 18:24

Jim,
I got your script running, thanks for putting this together. Very Nice!

Gidon Yuval · 21 Nov 2007, 18:24

Hi y'all,
I'm not sure I understand what this script does that move/copy doesn't.

rhankc · 21 Nov 2007, 18:26

It moves your items a key-in distance in an arrow direction. You dont have to set up a construction line or infer and watch the VCB. Key the distance, click a direction and done, Easy.

Gidon Yuval · 21 Nov 2007, 18:27

But if I select an object then move it along a given axis and type in a distance I get the same result. I'm trying to understand the advantage of activating a script to do this.

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 18:27

Gidon,
If we are talking about one component, floating in mid air, well away from anything else...your right.

But if it's a complex model, with lots of groups/components all nested together its often impossible to find an axis to move along and if you do, your component will instantly snap to the nearest line, component, group etc.

This is where Mover becomes REALLY useful! Add to that 45 degree movement, multiple, on axis, rotation options and all controlled by an elegant little window.

I rate it as my most useful [and most used] ruby.

Stu

Maggy · 21 Nov 2007, 18:28

would it be hard to create a multiple copy option?
One tree times 10 times 10 would create a very nice forest, shift some individual trees for a nice natural random effect.
I know that there are already several ways in SU or with existing rubies to do this, but it would make this tool even more flexible.

[Maggy]

Gidon Yuval · 21 Nov 2007, 18:29

Stu, I downloaded the script, tried it out and it is indeed a lovely tool. I have one or two questions.
Firstly, all the movements are in the opposite direction to the arows. In other words, I'll key in a distance, hit the arrow pointing right, and the object moves left.(?!?)
Secondly, I cant figure out how to enter a rotation value. When I hit the "?" button it just rotates any which way it chooses.
What have I missed?
Oh! And of-course: a big THANK YOU to Jim

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 18:30

Gidon,

The movement is along the red, green, blue axial lines rather than to the left or right so it's possible to be in a position where it looks as if the movement is in the opposite direction to that indicated.

With the rotation.....the options are the indicated degrees or the ? which indicates a random rotation within 360 degrees.

And as well as all the discussed functions there is also the copy, return to the 0 axis point and drop to the red/green plane options.

All in one little Ruby

Fantastic Jim

Stu

Gidon Yuval · 21 Nov 2007, 18:30

@unknownuser said:

Gidon,

The movement is along the red, green, blue axial lines rather than to the left or right so it's possible to be in a position where it looks as if the movement is in the opposite direction to that indicated.

Stu

OK, got it.
Thanks

Jim · 21 Nov 2007, 18:31

@maggy said:

would it be hard to create a multiple copy option?
One tree times 10 times 10 would create a very nice forest, shift some individual trees for a nice natural random effect.
I know that there are already several ways in SU or with existing rubies to do this, but it would make this tool even more flexible.

Maggy,

I like the idea of a copy quantity. I think I can fit a little text box in there. Anyone else want to comment?

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 18:31

Jim,

A multiple copy option would be great

And thanks once again.....it's pretty obvious I like this one.

Stu

Jim · 21 Nov 2007, 18:32

Mover has a feature where it will move an object by an amount determined by the objects size if the DIST amount is zero or blank. It works since the plugin only supports moving one thing at a time. If I wanted to move multiple selected objects, this feature becomes less useful (if it was useful to begin with.)

I wanted to know of anyone uses this feature, and if anyone would be unhappy if I removed it in favor of adding the ability to move multiple selected objects?

Gidon Yuval · 21 Nov 2007, 18:32

@jim said:

Mover has a feature where it will move an object by an amount determined by the objects size if the DIST amount is zero or blank.

Jim, I know I was less than enthusiastic when I first saw the 'mover' but I have since come to use and appreciate it more and more. So first of all: Thank you. Secondly, regarding the above mentioned feature I find that to be very very helpful.
Thanks again.

Jean-Franco · 21 Nov 2007, 18:33

Jim, I just tried your tool and I like it. Thanks a lot. I would prefer to use multiple selection of groups and components. More convenient for me.

samtsham · 21 Nov 2007, 18:35

Hi.
Thank you for posting this great ruby.
I'm on a Mac, and I'd like to report some interface-niggles: First of all, the window-size appears to be off. Attached find the window as displayed, when the script is opened. When I resize it, in order to see the rotate-buttons, the horizontal size gets fixed at far too broad, see attachment two, and can't be reduced.

As the window is so big, I can't put it to the side of the model-space, so I have to put it somewhere on top. As soon as I click anywhere in the model window, though, it gets the focus and covers the mover-window, which unfortunately doesn't float, at least not on a Mac.

Third, any effect of the movement only becomes visible, if I click in the model window after I used mover. If I just click the buttons, nothing seems to happen. So visual feedback is rather muddled, I have to know exactly what I want to do, and only get confirmation, after I revert focus back to the model window.

I don't know, if these issues are Mac-only, but I have a feeling, someone else would have already pointed them out, if they weren't.

Thanks for sharing.
SAM from Vienna.

[samtsham]