In Development: Subdivide and Smooth

kwistenbiebel · 19 Feb 2008, 11:54

Whaat you see is Whaat you get!

That's a good one ...and indeed one that is true.

A little question to Whaat:
I am curious what happens to a textured object when using the plugin.
Do the textures hold or do we need to re-texture?

Your plugin would be great to model for instance rock formations at a sea shore: starting from a sphere with a projected rock formation texture and then start modeling it by 'organic push pulling' from the projected texture reference...

Masta Squidge · 19 Feb 2008, 12:08

Im drooling so hard right now, I spent several hours working to get this:

(Crappy I know, but I'm having trouble getting curves to work in all axis at once.)

As soon as I get my hands on this Ill be able to quickly put together a rough frame then BAM high poly model.

You've got my full support...Not that I can help but hey, best of luck!

Whaat · 19 Feb 2008, 17:34

Thanks for the support everybody! I have some very difficult issues to resolve which is really slowing down the development. The biggest issue is that proxy subdivision modeling (shown in the clip I posted) is only usuable for relatively small objects. Right now, all of the subdivided and smoothed geometry is re-evaluated and redrawn every time there is a change to the proxy. This is fine for small models but if you had a large detailed model of a creature for example, it could take minutes to update the geometry each time you make a change. This is unacceptable. I hope to fix this but it may take several weeks.

Once this is fixed, there's not much left to do besides the UI and LOTS of testing/bugfixing.

@ Kwistenbiebel,

I believe it is possible to have the subdivided geometry inherit the material and UVs of the proxy. However, I can't promise that this feature will make it into the first release. It depends how difficult it is to implement.

kwistenbiebel · 19 Feb 2008, 17:43

Take your time.
Good wine needs time to ripe.
A good thing you want to make the plugin capable of running on higer poly models as well.
That will probably be a hard nut to crack. A ruby always is kind of on top of sketchup and not so much imbedded, so I guess overcoming the speed issue will not be easy to solve...

pichuneke · 19 Feb 2008, 18:02

Your script will be fantastic. I haven't read all the thread and I don't know if anyone has mentioned it before, but... Is there any chance in the future of a "Combine and rough" script? It would be a solution to upload in 3D Warehouse some complex models (there is a limit in file size), to upload a low resolution model.

(I have looked for something like that, but I didn't have luck).

ely862me · 19 Feb 2008, 22:15

a big whoaaaaaaaaa

Phil Rader AIA · 22 Feb 2008, 06:17

Ahhh I always knew that the ruby Gurus would redefine SU and bring it into a new realm of software spiritualism.

SIgn me up for a beta version.

call your plugin "zendiv" for Zen Divisions

Whaat · 22 Feb 2008, 15:10

@unknownuser said:

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??! This is INCREDIBLE! Sign me up too Whaat!

Question: Will the proxy be updated too when the subdivided geometry is adjusted?

I don't think so. The subdivided geometry will probably be 'locked' until the proxy is deleted (assuming this can be done with Ruby). I haven't made any final decisions about this yet.

bubbalove · 22 Feb 2008, 15:39

So there will be a big announcement when this is released, right?

Masta Squidge · 25 Feb 2008, 13:41

My god I think I'm having a mental breakdown waiting for this, I have all these mocked up models waiting to be smoothed.

I'm so excited to get my hands on this. I even went so far as to make another attempt at learning how to use Blender but it goes so against the way I do things on SU that I think I need a living instructor to learn it now.

kwistenbiebel · 25 Feb 2008, 16:35

@masta squidge said:

I even went so far as to make another attempt at learning how to use Blender but it goes so against the way I do things on SU that I think I need a living instructor to learn it now.

I believe I will not be the only one who thinks :'Hey,I have been there'.

Whaat · 25 Feb 2008, 18:11

I cannot yet give an estimated released date. However, I do hope that beta-testing can begin soon (within a few weeks)

Masta Squidge · 26 Feb 2008, 09:01

@whaat said:

I cannot yet give an estimated released date. However, I do hope that beta-testing can begin soon (within a few weeks)
What must I do to beg, bribe or buy my way into beta testing?

ScottPara · 17 Mar 2008, 15:14

Whaat,

Is there any news on this amazing looking plug in yet?

Scott

Whaat · 17 Mar 2008, 16:24

I guess I could give a quick update. I am very busy right now but development is still progressing. I have worked out almost all of the kinks and am ready to do some optimization work. I am very pleased with the current state of the plugin. I have exceeded my original goals and expectations for the plugin by far. Don't expect it to be as robust as subdivision modeling in Blender, Maya, etc. but it should still get the job done for the vast majority of your organic modeling needs (at least that's my hope).

Hopefully, beta-testing can begin in a couple of weeks.

Cheers

remus · 17 Mar 2008, 16:30

i'll just and distract myself so i dont get too excited.

sk.lion · 17 Mar 2008, 16:31

OMG! This is a breakthrough! finally organic modeling in Sketchup without the pains, thank you so much, look forward to testing results and final release

kwistenbiebel · 17 Mar 2008, 16:41

You have my support Whaat.
Knowing a bit about your coding skills from the users end, this will be another great one I am sure.

ScottPara · 17 Mar 2008, 17:37

Whaat,

I would love to be able to help beta test this if that is an option. Feel free to PM me if needed. Great work by the way!!!! I think I can speak for everyone when I say I am extremely excited to see this work.

Best regards,
Scott

solo · 17 Mar 2008, 17:41

stands up

Pick me, pick me for beta testing... organic modeling is my only SU wish. (okay i have a list of wishes, but thats for later)