[Plugin] Parametric Modeling - v0.0.7 - 03 June 2021

OBaker

how would you generate the ability to move an item randomly but within a fixed range of value?

samuel_t

how would you generate the ability to move an item randomly but within a fixed range of value?

For example, I would input the formula below in the "X Position" field of the "Move" node to translate on X axis an entity between 1 and 5 meters (if the active model uses meters).

rand(1.0, 5.0)

The "rand" function returns a random number in a range. First argument is the minimum number, second argument is the maximum.

Alternatively, one can use variables instead of hardcoded values if variables are defined in or connected to "Variable ..." fields of the "Move" node. Then the above formula becomes :

rand(a, b)

samuel_t

@traupmann said:

The disabling of the Layer Organizer worked for all of the provided schemas but two. The files are below.

Decking on Pedastals Results.skp
Curved Shelf Result.skp

Sorry for the very late reply.
"Decking on Pedastals" appears empty.
"Curved Shelf" appears incomplete.
For both, I don't know why...

@traupmann said:

Here is a schema I developed
Arch.skp

Bravo and thank you for this great schema! I'll include it in the next Parametric Modeling plugin version.

@traupmann said:

Can you advise how to pass schema files?

Inside Nodes Editor, right-click in void. Select "Export schema to a file". Share exported .shema file

sketchucationgreg

Thank you Samuel for this awesome extension. I spotted this a few years ago and tried a few things out of interest but didn't get far. I returned last week after getting frustrated with the native dynamic component editor. Thanks for your great modifications since it is a very useful tool now. Well done.

Thanks also to Traupmann for the Arch schema. I changed the numbers a bit but got a Bug Splat after a few minutes.

I'm building a schema with some similar components and found two strange things

The components often disappear in SketchUp upon modifying the schema. Adding and deleting nodes sometimes makes them reappear.
Some nodes do not appear to be calculating but seem to have correct formula in them (see attachment)

Blank cells

samuel_t

@sketchucationgreg said:

Thanks for your great modifications since it is a very useful tool now. Well done.

Greg, I'm happy to hear this plugin is useful!

@sketchucationgreg said:

The components often disappear in SketchUp upon modifying the schema. Adding and deleting nodes sometimes makes them reappear.

Does this happen when you are typing a formula?

@sketchucationgreg said:

Some nodes do not appear to be calculating but seem to have correct formula in them (see attachment)

The preview in Math nodes such as Divide can be empty. This is a known issue. It's only a display bug.

Can you please send me your .skp or .schema file?

sketchucationgreg

Hi Samuel. Thank you for looking at my post.

@samuel_t said:

Does this happen when you are typing a formula?
Yes.

@samuel_t said:

The preview in Math nodes such as Divide can be empty. This is a known issue. It's only a display bug.
Thanks so much for letting me know that Samuel. I wasn't sure what to do next with that one.

@samuel_t said:

Can you please send me your .skp or .schema file?
Schema attached.

samuel_t

Hi Greg,

@sketchucationgreg said:

The components often disappear in SketchUp upon modifying the schema. Adding and deleting nodes sometimes makes them reappear.

@samuel_t said:

Does this happen when you are typing a formula?

@sketchucationgreg said:

Yes.

Looks like a bug... Maybe the Parametric Modeling plugin tries to redraw the parametric entities while the schema is in a inconsistent state (incomplete formula).

@sketchucationgreg said:

Schema attached.

I don't see a .schema file attached to your post. You can send me a .skp file or maybe a .schema.zip file.

sketchucationgreg

Hi Samuel,

The permanent disappearance of the model seemed to correct itself after I cleaned up my model and developed my schema further, and opened and closed SketchUp a few times along the way. I started it within a model where I had been playing around with the native DC editor so it could have been a conflict of sorts there.

I have attached the files which I think were form that version in any case but please don't feel like you need to investigate this one further.

I really enjoyed using the interface this time. I think I saw a request for incorporating the follow me tool. I think that would be a really powerful enhancement but I realise that might mean adding some line drawing function.

Thanks once again Samuel. I can't wait to find another excuse to take this for another test run.

Parametric lantern DC6 Da shape metal.zip

lelam11234

Hi Samuel
I'm using this your plugin. I see it very usefully for my job. And I'm used to work the plugin "VizPro". It has a few of useful features. Such as:

Choose many nodes to move, copy, and container (merge node)
Have a node to access into group (edge, face, point,...)(node Brep in Vizpro)
Have a node to draw point, arc, line, circle, polygon
Have a node to input list style
This is only my suggest. I'm looking forward to see them in your new version
Thank you for your job

WhiteShadow

facing hardship with 2 things, it will be awesome if anyone can help

first problem:
made a box
to copy node, 6 copies
to move node, moved some distance
now, i have something line this:
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
how do i make a solid group of all these copies?

another problem:
is there a way to randomly move copied opjects between a set range (distance between 2 boxes can be anything from 3 to 10, random distance between every copy)? if yes, how?

eg:
instead of getting
{■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■},

how can i get
{■ ■ ■■ ■ ■}

Rich O Brien

The calculate node accepts math formula so something like...

rand(value,value)

...would output a random value. I'm not sure if that random value can be applied to the copies though.

If you right click the Node Editor and choose Export Scheme you could share it

WhiteShadow

Yes, rand (min, max) works for giving random value but the distance between every 2 blocks can't be randomised by it, there must be some other way or something I'm missing completely

Rich O Brien

Have you used the Import Scheme to load some of Sam's sample files to study the workflow?

That's what I did to understand the possibilities of Node Editor.

samuel_t

@whiteshadow said:

first problem:
made a box
to copy node, 6 copies
to move node, moved some distance
now, i have something line this:
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
how do i make a solid group of all these copies?

Do you mean put many groups in one group? If yes, there's a "Make group" node for that purpose. Then check Outliner panel...

@whiteshadow said:

another problem:
is there a way to randomly move copied opjects between a set range (distance between 2 boxes can be anything from 3 to 10, random distance between every copy)? if yes, how?

eg:
instead of getting
{■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■},

how can i get
{■ ■ ■■ ■ ■}

There's at least a way. Look at this "Random Gap" parametric schema, attached below to this post:

It's no yet documented but "Move" node accepts formulas to set dynamically X, Y and Z positions.

In formula: x + a + rand(b,c)

x is X position of Box in loop
a is Self Width of every Box
b is Min Gap between Boxes
c is Max Gap between Boxes

Random Gap.schema.zip

beuzleclair78

Bonjour Samuel,

J'ai découvert ce plugin et c'est vraiment performant !! Bravo pour le développement et les mises à jours !
Je l'utilise pour un projet personnel.
Par contre, je bloque sur l'opération "Soustraire"...

Comme l'exemple, je dois percer une plaque mais je dois répéter l'opération ...
J'ai essayé plusieurs pistes en regroupant ou en concaténant ...sans succès !

Je veux bien une aide pour simplifier le processus car j'ai une pièce a fabriquer avec nombreux trous !

Merci,

Capture test trous plaque 2.JPG

efeme75

Bonjour Samuel,
Congratulations for your excellent plugin!
Is there an undocumented feature here or do I miss something?
I draw two boxes both with default dimensions, except for the second one with width = 0.5. I connect each output of the DRAW BOX nodes to the inputs of an INTERSECTION node and obtain a 0.5-wide box. I then connect the output of the INTERSECTION node to the input of a MOVE node with 5 in x direction. No problem so far, I get my 0.5-wide box at location (5,0,0).
Now I connect the output of the first DRAW BOX node to the input of a MOVE node with -8 in x-direction without changing anything else in the above setup. Why is my 0.5-wide box now at location (-3,0,0)? It seems that the intersection between the two boxes is first computed, moved by -8 and then moved by 5 by the last MOVE node. BTW, it seems that if I connect the output node of the second DRAW BOX node to the input of a MOVE node nothing changes.
Thanks for your help!
Francois
PS: File in attachment

Parametric.skp

Marion barray

Hello,

Is it possible to select object already built in the model ?