151
ASL Scripts / Re: Script Request: Chain Link Maker
« on: June 13, 2008, 09:09:29 am »
Steve,
I'd be honored. Thank you.
I'd be honored. Thank you.
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152
ASL Scripts / Re: ASL Parametric Script Questions
« on: June 12, 2008, 04:52:03 pm »
Kubajazz,
Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you like it.
I did post a parametric version, but I kinda cheated. See the post in the other thread.
Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you like it.
I did post a parametric version, but I kinda cheated. See the post in the other thread.
153
ASL Scripts / ASL Parametric Script Questions
« on: June 12, 2008, 03:58:13 pm »
In writing the chain_maker parametric plugin, I ran across a couple of issues. I wonder if they can be addressed though some sort of work-around.
Issue 1: I wanted to write the script such that it followed the selected path like in Steve's "spline.txt", but I discovered that the only way I could "activate" the script after the icon was pressed was to click in the editor window. Clicking (or actually running the script - I cannot tell which) effectively de-selects the previous selected shape and automatically selects the shape created by the script.
Issue 2: When a parametric plug-in script is run by clicking the icon, then clicking (or click-dragging) in the editor window, the parametric shape is created at the editor click coordinates and the origin is assigned at the new shape's "centroid".
Question 1: Is there some way to store what was previously selected? I've tried numerous things, but outside of having a separate non-parametric non-plugin script write it somewhere (like a material name or some attribute, etc.), then reading it with the actual parametric plugin script, nothing works.
Question 2: Are the coordinates of the initial click in the editor window (after selecting the script's icon) stored someplace accessible? I cannot find it in the documentation. The availability of these coordinates has multiple applications.
Steve: I love the scripting abilities of Anim8or! If there is anything I can do to help with development of the ASL for all of Anim8or, please let me know. I have been a programmer for a long time in multiple languages, and have written similar scripting languages for other applications.
Issue 1: I wanted to write the script such that it followed the selected path like in Steve's "spline.txt", but I discovered that the only way I could "activate" the script after the icon was pressed was to click in the editor window. Clicking (or actually running the script - I cannot tell which) effectively de-selects the previous selected shape and automatically selects the shape created by the script.
Issue 2: When a parametric plug-in script is run by clicking the icon, then clicking (or click-dragging) in the editor window, the parametric shape is created at the editor click coordinates and the origin is assigned at the new shape's "centroid".
Question 1: Is there some way to store what was previously selected? I've tried numerous things, but outside of having a separate non-parametric non-plugin script write it somewhere (like a material name or some attribute, etc.), then reading it with the actual parametric plugin script, nothing works.
Question 2: Are the coordinates of the initial click in the editor window (after selecting the script's icon) stored someplace accessible? I cannot find it in the documentation. The availability of these coordinates has multiple applications.
Steve: I love the scripting abilities of Anim8or! If there is anything I can do to help with development of the ASL for all of Anim8or, please let me know. I have been a programmer for a long time in multiple languages, and have written similar scripting languages for other applications.
154
ASL Scripts / Re: Script Request: Chain Link Maker
« on: June 12, 2008, 01:27:53 pm »
I have adapted the chain_maker.txt script to be a parametric plugin script. There are some issues, though. I am going to do another post with questions about scripts to try to resolve these issues.
It seems that parametric plugin scripts have a couple of "features" that make using the chain_maker parametric plugin a little more challenging:
To activate a plugin, you select the icon, then click or click-drag in the editor window. This, in effect, does two things:
1) De-selects anything you have previously selected (this makes sense, since the script is creating a new shape that is automatically selected)
2) Sets the origin point of the parametric shape created by the script (also makes sense, since most of the parametric shape scripts use a drag sizing method)
The chain_maker parametric script can work around (1), but you have to rename the path you want to follow so that it is pre-pended with the word "chain". For example: rename "path02" to "chainpath02". Click on the "chain path" icon, then click anywhere in the editor window. The chain that is created will follow the path, but be offset to whereever you clicked. You will have to manually move it back into position. I designed the icon to help you remember that you have to rename the path you want to follow. I toyed with the idea of having the script rename the path back to just "pathXX" after creating the chain, but decided against it.
Another issue is that the created parametric object is a single shape. Even if you have multiple paths all renamed chainpathXX, the chains created will all be one shape, even though they follow different paths. To do the inevitable tweaking of a few links that do not turn the corners properly, you must convert the parametric shape to a mesh. You can then access individual links by going to point editor mode, using the face selector to select a face of the link you want to adjust. Use "G" to "grow" the selection to the full link. Then use "t" to select the edges. You can now move, rotate, delete, etc. that individual link. Whew!
The upside to having a parametric script, though, is that you can immediately see the results of tweaking the parameters and get that chain looking just as you like it.
So, it is do-able, just less than convenient and intuitive. Also, you can use the parametric plugin version to find the parameters you like best for your application and then edit the other version to reflect those parameters.
Please let me know what you think.
It seems that parametric plugin scripts have a couple of "features" that make using the chain_maker parametric plugin a little more challenging:
To activate a plugin, you select the icon, then click or click-drag in the editor window. This, in effect, does two things:
1) De-selects anything you have previously selected (this makes sense, since the script is creating a new shape that is automatically selected)
2) Sets the origin point of the parametric shape created by the script (also makes sense, since most of the parametric shape scripts use a drag sizing method)
The chain_maker parametric script can work around (1), but you have to rename the path you want to follow so that it is pre-pended with the word "chain". For example: rename "path02" to "chainpath02". Click on the "chain path" icon, then click anywhere in the editor window. The chain that is created will follow the path, but be offset to whereever you clicked. You will have to manually move it back into position. I designed the icon to help you remember that you have to rename the path you want to follow. I toyed with the idea of having the script rename the path back to just "pathXX" after creating the chain, but decided against it.
Another issue is that the created parametric object is a single shape. Even if you have multiple paths all renamed chainpathXX, the chains created will all be one shape, even though they follow different paths. To do the inevitable tweaking of a few links that do not turn the corners properly, you must convert the parametric shape to a mesh. You can then access individual links by going to point editor mode, using the face selector to select a face of the link you want to adjust. Use "G" to "grow" the selection to the full link. Then use "t" to select the edges. You can now move, rotate, delete, etc. that individual link. Whew!
The upside to having a parametric script, though, is that you can immediately see the results of tweaking the parameters and get that chain looking just as you like it.
So, it is do-able, just less than convenient and intuitive. Also, you can use the parametric plugin version to find the parameters you like best for your application and then edit the other version to reflect those parameters.
Please let me know what you think.
155
ASL Scripts / Script to Generate Snail Shells
« on: June 11, 2008, 06:56:57 pm »
Back when I was going to enter the "Need for Speed" competition over on Animanon, I adapted Steve's spring script to produce pretty realistic snail shells. Unfortunately, I ran out of time for the competition. Here is a short clip starring a shell.
youtube.com/v/1sm-F7Gosvw[/youtube]]http://www.
Attached is the script, a sample render of two types of shells, and the parameters needed to reproduce those shells. To produce the renders, I converted the parametric shape to a mesh, deleted the cap face, used the shell function to add thickness, and textured.
youtube.com/v/1sm-F7Gosvw[/youtube]]http://www.
Attached is the script, a sample render of two types of shells, and the parameters needed to reproduce those shells. To produce the renders, I converted the parametric shape to a mesh, deleted the cap face, used the shell function to add thickness, and textured.
156
ASL Scripts / Re: Script Request: Chain Link Maker
« on: June 10, 2008, 06:39:11 pm »
Attached is yet another version of chain_maker. This one fixes the flipped normals problem of version 4 posted earlier today.
157
ASL Scripts / Re: Script Request: Chain Link Maker
« on: June 10, 2008, 12:44:34 pm »
Attached is the latest version of chain_maker. It now has functionality for elongated chains in the $stretch parameter. If the $stretch parameter is set to zero, you will get the round links.
Please post questions and comments.
Please post questions and comments.
158
ASL Scripts / Re: Script Request: Chain Link Maker
« on: June 10, 2008, 09:27:12 am »
Tanzim (and everyone),
The script will only work in the latest version: 0.97b. Steve added that functionality to that version. It will not work in any earlier version.
The script will only work in the latest version: 0.97b. Steve added that functionality to that version. It will not work in any earlier version.
159
ASL Scripts / Re: Script Request: Chain Link Maker
« on: June 09, 2008, 11:08:15 pm »
I have fixed the link spacing error. Read the comments in the script for hints on proper relationships between link thickness and link diameter.
I am still working on how to make an oblong link.
I am still working on how to make an oblong link.
160
ASL Scripts / Re: Script Request: Chain Link Maker
« on: June 09, 2008, 09:02:43 pm »
Good catch on the flipped normals, Hihosilver. The fixed script is attached. Oblong links will take a little longer since that shape cannot be explicitly described by a parametric equation like a torus. I'll see what I can do.
161
ASL Scripts / Re: Script Request: Chain Link Maker
« on: June 09, 2008, 08:07:35 pm »
Attached below is a script to create chains that follow splines. [Thank you Steve for spline-following ASL ability!].
The script basically creates torii alternating at right angles along the spline. The parameters of the torii can be changed: the size, width, number of sides, number of segments per torii. The script currently makes each link a separate mesh to allow easier edits (easily changed if desired). This editing ability comes in handy if the spline turns more rapidly than the diameter of the link.
Try it out.
Let me know if you have any questions.
The script basically creates torii alternating at right angles along the spline. The parameters of the torii can be changed: the size, width, number of sides, number of segments per torii. The script currently makes each link a separate mesh to allow easier edits (easily changed if desired). This editing ability comes in handy if the spline turns more rapidly than the diameter of the link.
Try it out.
Let me know if you have any questions.
162
Finished Works and Works in Progress / Re: Spark Animated Trailer
« on: April 30, 2008, 07:24:00 pm »
Hey! My slightly inebriated wife and I think that was awesome! Can't wait to see more!
NickE
NickE