Subject:
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Re: part skins (was Re: some thoughts on ldraw parts)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.cad.dev
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Date:
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Wed, 4 Oct 2000 19:18:52 GMT
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Viewed:
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1304 times
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In lugnet.cad, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> But so be it. The parts authors DO have to worry about where the polygons go
> (thankfully, it's reduced to choosing the right primitive polygonal
> approximation rather than having to calculate polygons for cylinders
> directly).
It's not always this easy. Some parts just cannot be constructed out of the
primitives - or the scaling/transformation is just too difficult to figure out.
Examples are those with complex curves (like the wizard's hat), or complex
intersections (like the curved staircase). These are easier (less difficult) to
author with raw polygons.
> Unfortunately. And currently, that's what parts authors, even gifted
> decoration authors like Chris Dee, do. They bash polygons by hand.
Gee thanks !
> Is there another way round, though, to add some automation?
I'm surprised Chris Alano hasn't contributed to this thread, as he made a bold
start at something to do this using MSExcel/VBA about a year ago (I hope you
don't mind me revealing this, Chris). As I recall there were a few niggles
around creating irregular quads and edge handling, but it was a very good
starting point.
> Decoration authors... would this program make things easier? You would start
> with a scan of the decorated element and end up with the collection of
> polygons that did the decorated face.
Yes, definitely, but from my perspective I don't think you would even need to
go this far. I usually draw up the design on squared paper first and this is
generally quite easy (and can be done away from the PC). The time-consuming
part is transferring the polygon co-ords from the drawing to a text editor, so
being able to draw the pattern onto a computerised rectilinear grid and having
this turned into LDraw commands (as Chris Alanos development aimed to do) would
probably give at least a 50% productivity improvement.
From a torso perspective, those with graduated shading (Fright Knights,
some Ninjas) and very fine decoration (Insectoids) are always going to be
difficult, which is why I have largely ignored them. (But Franklin Cain did
take on this challenge with the studded armour pattern 973p45.dat, with
acceptable results at normal scale)
Chris
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