ArtImage
08-02-2003, 06:22 AM
EdgeToPoint
(Convert an edge selection into a point selection ala Phantom Points)
Provided by ArtImage (Justin Andrews)
For use with Softimage XSI 3.0+
(Please contact me if you find a bug)
Get it here.
http://www.mindthink.de/justin/edgeToPoint
Thanks to Helge Mathee @ mindthink for hosting this tool.
http://www.mindthink.de/
_____________________________________
What is it?
EdgeToPoint allows you to work on a sudb mesh similar to using Phantom Points (Lightwave). On a complicated subd mesh it can be very hard to select the cage points. Phantom Points allow you to select the points directly on the subd model (in reality you are just selecting and editing the cage points). This feature is absent in XSI 3.0 and 3.5; however, you can select the subd edges. This script uses XSI existing subd edge selection to help select the cage points. The workflow is very similar to using Phantom Points. (Note: you can select as many points as you want on as many objects as you want at the same time.)
_____________________________________
How do I use it?
_____
When working on a subd (Geometry Approximation, using the + and - shortcuts) object the heavier lines show the corresponding cage edges. Unfortunately, the points are not available. Using EdgeToPoint you can have a workflow that mimics Phantom Points.
_____
Finding cage points on a complicated subd model can be difficult. The point is obvious on the subd model. Notice that 2 or more edges intersect at the point. Because XSI can at least select the subd edges there is a workaround to get to the cage point.
_____
Simply select at least 2 or more of the edges that meet at the point you want. I like to used the "I" shortcut (edge raycast) and swiped across them. You can use any edge tool you want. I simply pretend the points are there and then pretend to select them. This is easy with the rectangle tools (don't forget rectangle raycast "shift+F10"). With very little practice, getting the edges with the freeform tools is easy too.
_____
2 edges are the minimum amount. The tool does not care if you select 2 or 20. Remember you can select as many points as you want on as many objects as you want at the same time.
_____
Now run the EdgeToPoint command.
_____
The corresponding cage point(s) is selected. Now tweak away.
NOTE: The most common usage of this tool is to select points in order to move them. Therefore, the "Translate Tool" activates at the end of the script. This saves a key stroke. If you do not like this behavior simple erase or change the section of code clearly marked in the script.
_____________________________________
Installing
After downloading the file, unzip it. Start XSI and select the "File" pull down menu. Select "Addons" and select "Install". Find the file you unzipped "EdgeToPoint.xsiaddon". Select "Install". The script is now registered in XSI. The easiest way to use the command is to assign a custom shortcut key. Select "Keyboard Mapping". (Note: some XSI configurations do not allow you to edit the current keyboard map, thus you must create a new map from the existing, XSI will inform you if this is the case.) Select "Custom Script Commands" in the group list. Find the "EdgeToPoint" command in the command list and drag it to the key you want. (Note: you can also create or add the command to custom toolbars.)
Get it here.
http://www.mindthink.de/justin/edgeToPoint
Thanks to Helge Mathee @ mindthink for hosting this tool.
http://www.mindthink.de/
(Convert an edge selection into a point selection ala Phantom Points)
Provided by ArtImage (Justin Andrews)
For use with Softimage XSI 3.0+
(Please contact me if you find a bug)
Get it here.
http://www.mindthink.de/justin/edgeToPoint
Thanks to Helge Mathee @ mindthink for hosting this tool.
http://www.mindthink.de/
_____________________________________
What is it?
EdgeToPoint allows you to work on a sudb mesh similar to using Phantom Points (Lightwave). On a complicated subd mesh it can be very hard to select the cage points. Phantom Points allow you to select the points directly on the subd model (in reality you are just selecting and editing the cage points). This feature is absent in XSI 3.0 and 3.5; however, you can select the subd edges. This script uses XSI existing subd edge selection to help select the cage points. The workflow is very similar to using Phantom Points. (Note: you can select as many points as you want on as many objects as you want at the same time.)
_____________________________________
How do I use it?
_____
When working on a subd (Geometry Approximation, using the + and - shortcuts) object the heavier lines show the corresponding cage edges. Unfortunately, the points are not available. Using EdgeToPoint you can have a workflow that mimics Phantom Points.
_____
Finding cage points on a complicated subd model can be difficult. The point is obvious on the subd model. Notice that 2 or more edges intersect at the point. Because XSI can at least select the subd edges there is a workaround to get to the cage point.
_____
Simply select at least 2 or more of the edges that meet at the point you want. I like to used the "I" shortcut (edge raycast) and swiped across them. You can use any edge tool you want. I simply pretend the points are there and then pretend to select them. This is easy with the rectangle tools (don't forget rectangle raycast "shift+F10"). With very little practice, getting the edges with the freeform tools is easy too.
_____
2 edges are the minimum amount. The tool does not care if you select 2 or 20. Remember you can select as many points as you want on as many objects as you want at the same time.
_____
Now run the EdgeToPoint command.
_____
The corresponding cage point(s) is selected. Now tweak away.
NOTE: The most common usage of this tool is to select points in order to move them. Therefore, the "Translate Tool" activates at the end of the script. This saves a key stroke. If you do not like this behavior simple erase or change the section of code clearly marked in the script.
_____________________________________
Installing
After downloading the file, unzip it. Start XSI and select the "File" pull down menu. Select "Addons" and select "Install". Find the file you unzipped "EdgeToPoint.xsiaddon". Select "Install". The script is now registered in XSI. The easiest way to use the command is to assign a custom shortcut key. Select "Keyboard Mapping". (Note: some XSI configurations do not allow you to edit the current keyboard map, thus you must create a new map from the existing, XSI will inform you if this is the case.) Select "Custom Script Commands" in the group list. Find the "EdgeToPoint" command in the command list and drag it to the key you want. (Note: you can also create or add the command to custom toolbars.)
Get it here.
http://www.mindthink.de/justin/edgeToPoint
Thanks to Helge Mathee @ mindthink for hosting this tool.
http://www.mindthink.de/