Ali Torabi » script

Parametric Array & L-System

admin — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 07:44:15 +0000

Did you know that you can produce L-systems with parametric array!

Here is some experience with parametric array of a single line. I have used getItem function to access the parent node using the method below.

getItem index:[1+int((index1-2)/4),1,1]

Denominator (4) defines the number of branches per node. the script above returns the parent of the current object in L-system. Using this trick, you can adjust the start point of the line according to the end point of its parent. Of course the end point is just a transformation of the start point which defines the production rule of L-System. In new version of parametric array this will come as new controller and much more easy to implement on any type of object.

Users can ask for sample scene!

Animating parametric array

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:45:56 +0000

Level: Intermediate
In This Video:

Using time value to animate items in the array.

Offseting time value by adding index to it.

Use Trigonometric functions to distribute items in the array on an assuming surface.

Parametric brick wall.

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:31:47 +0000

Level: Advanced
In This Video:

Positioning items based on other items location and dimensions.

Randomize function inside the script controller.

How to use getItem function to address a specific property of an item inside the array.

Note: the getItem function returns the value of specific property of the specific object inside the array.
getItem index:[index1,index2,index3] prop:property

Circular pattern response to an attractor object

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:25:22 +0000

Level: Advanced
In This Video:

Use script controller to access objects properties outside of the array.

control the radius of cylinders in array according to their distance from a specific object.

How to use setTarget command Addressing properties of other objects from script controller.

Using getItem command the get the value of specific property of the current item.

Note1: setTarget function can return the value of the any propety of any object outside the array.
setTarget object:object name prop:property name
Note2: if you dont mention the index argument in getItem function it returns the value
of the property for the current item in the array.
getItem prop:property name

Rotating panels along the surface

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:46:48 +0000

Level: Advanced
In This Video:

Use curve controller to change U & V offsets of a surface controller.

Using preview mode to handle large number of items in the array.

surfaceController takes following arguments:
surface:surface name –Name of object in 3ds Max
feedback:transform/position/rotation –function returns transform matrix, position in point3 value and rotation in EulerAngles value
uOffset:offset value –Increase or decrease offset in U direction
vOffset:offset value –Increase or decrease offset in V direction
normalOffset:offset value –increase or decrease the normal offset
mode:1 or 2 — set the controller in relative mode (2) or absolute mode (1)
order: 1 to 9 — choose the order of rotation (items in drop down menu) works only when feedback is set to rotation
data: 1 or 2 — use uv-mapping information (2) or NURBS evaluation functions (1)
uv:1 or 2 — choose the uv direction.
surfaceID: index number — identify the surface index when works with nurbs object or choose
the UV mapping channel when working with mapping information

Combine controllers inside your script

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 11:01:40 +0000

Level: Advanced
In This Video:

Use curve controller to pass offset value to the surface controller.

Set the dim argument to apply the curve controller on a certain direction.

Undulating brick wall

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:09:06 +0000

Level: Advanced
In This Video:

Use surface controller function inside your script.

set Feedback argument to rotation when you need to rotate objects according to the surface.

Push items in every other row by increasing index1 value.

Parametric truss

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:49:49 +0000

Level: Advanced
In This Video:

Array between two spline using script controller.

Use conditional statements to change the index value.

Reference: curve controller function takes the following arguments:
curve: object name –The name of object in 3ds Max
dim: 1,2 or 3 — set the controller on specific dimension.
feedback:transform/position/rotation –function returns transform matrix, position in point3 value and rotation in EulerAngles value
localOffset: offset value — offset the index value and shifts item along the path.
endOffset: offset value — move all items away from the last point of the path.
startOffset: offset value — move all items away from the first point of the path
mode : 1 or 2 — set the controller in absolute mode (1) or relative (2)
order: 1 to 9 — choose the order of rotation (items in drop down menu) works only when feedback is set to rotation

Multi turn spiral stair, script controller

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:49:48 +0000

Level: Advanced
In This Video:

An example of using curve controller function inside the script controller.

Using script controller on transform property.

How to move items along two curves.

How to combine the position and rotation to get a transform matrix.

Set the array count to a consist value puts array into a loop.

Linear transformation function and script controller

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:34:36 +0000

Level: Advanced
In This Video:

using linear controller inside the script controller.

use conditional statement to set index value.

set index1 if index2 is even number (running bond pattern).

use i argument in linearcontroller function to change the current index.