I was challenging the PARA II to model something like the Allianz Arena stadium in 3DS MAX. Each panel composed of a solid flat frame and a bulged part. To imitate the lighting effect I assigned a material modifier to the smooth part of panel and a Pattern controller change the index value.
The skew effect of the skin is the result of the deform controller that takes the initial value from the sub-object controller and pass it to the UVW offsets in surface controller. The disadvantage of this method is when you try to use the UVW mapping to get uniform subdivision all over the surface. I shall add an option to surface controller to fix this problem soon.
In this video I tried to explain how to use the pattern controller to make a wall with staggered tiles. This is a response to a user’s question and here is the comment which was posted by V.T. :
Hi, I’d like to know if there’s a way to create an array with staggered row (like a ordinary brick wall). Thanks.
Automatic garbage collection improved. This version is more stable on all versions of 3DS MAX
Nurbs selection in Surface controller.
Surface controller now return Utangent and Vtangent value of editable polys
Error in displaying Transform controller settings is fixed.
License control system improved.
Replacing the array members with a new object is possible via PICK OBJECT button from modify panel. PARA will search for possible transformation to apply on new object.
Multiple Variable Override controllers can be used inside one controller.
Magnet controller allows use of vector controller instead of magnet object.
Convert controller error fixed.
New items:
New Deform controller has been added to library.
Custom pattern tool has been added to SubObject controller.
Curve controller can now return the closest point of array to the curve
Property search box is added to the main interface.
Deselect button is added to the main interface.
A parametric array Layer is automatically being created to hold all the array nodes.
Random controller is now available for being used inside a condition controller. This controller can generate Boolean values randomly based on a percentage (chance value).
Do you remember this tutorial?
One thing you may didn’t like about my Parametric Array was the SCRIPT controller. I know how it feels when you have to write some meaningless text to get something works and suddenly you face errors after errors! It happens to me many times when I was in beginning of my journey to become a programmer!
Ok, good news is you don’t have to do scripting anymore. PARA II offers zero-code environment to setups your logics and performs multiple tasks using objects (so called Controllers). Bad news is it’s too easy! So anyone else can do it!
Check out this video and see what you can do with Magnet Controller, don’t forget that you can use this controller inside other controllers and try out your own magnetic stuffs!
parametric array II BETA is ready for download. As I’m still developing this tool it may have some problem and cause some errors. Kindly share your experience with new version either in Facebook or Weblog to improve the debagging process. In order to upgrade you need to login to license manager from the link below. Please notice you may need to reactivate your license during upgrade. The upgrade is free of charge but it isn’t reversible. Please make sure that you have backed up the Parametric Array 1.0 license file ( paramarray_lic.dat ) before installing the PARAII. Thank you for your support and participation!
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 nameprop: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
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
