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Author Topic: Parametric facade  (Read 2231 times)

GT4505

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Parametric facade
« on: May 22, 2015, 01:47:54 PM »
Hi There,

I've been experimenting with forest and rc lately.
Exploring some possibilities and features, I came across this example: (see attachment)

Recreating the pattern was quite easy, ending the sides however is a more difficult taks.
Any idea's how to make this into some sort of style?
Is it for ex possible to slice the forest geom, like rc does :p?
I've added some attachments with my attempts and also the max file...

Thank you
Pieter van Stee

GT4505

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Re: Parametric facade
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2015, 05:11:03 PM »
In the mean time, I've been experimenting further and came across another "problem" I've encountered earlier.
I'd like the tilted particles to randomly rotate with 60° increments, for this hexagon shape.
Using the transform rotation with the probability curve this should work... however it doesn't, at least not with me ;)
http://docs.itoosoft.com/display/FORESTPACK/Transform
For the probability map I tried to use 100/6=>0,16666
But they don't seem to rotate an exact 60°

Thank you
« Last Edit: May 22, 2015, 05:17:28 PM by GT4505 »
Pieter van Stee

Paul Roberts

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Re: Parametric facade
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2015, 06:45:49 PM »
Hi!

This is an interesting facade. I've had a go at solving it using RailClone as it seems better suited to this task. In the attached file there is a version which uses a single spline to define the overall area, this will give you the clipping around the edges that Forest Pack will not do. There's also a more complex version that adds the frame around the outside and uses a spline as a path, though this is a bit of a WIP at the moment.

Version 1
Version 2

Please take a look. I'll continue to work on this and update here if I have a more refined version. I'd like to add the 60 degree rotations you mention, at the moment I'm cheating with some mirror operators  ;)

I hope that helps,

Best wishes,

Paul


« Last Edit: May 22, 2015, 06:48:31 PM by Paul Roberts »
Paul Roberts
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GT4505

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Re: Parametric facade
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2015, 09:01:13 PM »
Hi Paul,

Thank you for your reply, that solution also crossed my mind.
The thing I'm missing here (that's also why I mentioned the crossover between rc and frst or functionality as in gh) is the possibility to apply mapped patterns on this surface :p
The second attachment is our logo, just as an example to test this. So we can use this principle on large facades with predetermined patters delivered by our clients.
The first demonstrates the "imperfection" of the rotated 60° increments (in frst).

Thank you for your solution!

« Last Edit: May 22, 2015, 09:03:47 PM by GT4505 »
Pieter van Stee

Paul Roberts

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Re: Parametric facade
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2015, 10:32:01 PM »
Hi,

I see, yes unfortunately it is currently possible to control the transform of segments in RailClone with a bitmap. In this case you would indeed have to use Forest Pack. You are getting slight inaccuracies with the probability setting because the graph is better at working with a range than a very precise single measurement. It is possible but it may take a little fiddling to get it just right. If the scene isn't animated you may find it easier to try an alternate approach where you animate the 60 degree rotations on the source geometry using and XForm modifier.



You can then add randomise between these frames using Forest's animation controls as shown below:



This is really easy to set up but if the scene is animated it won't work as the cells will rotate as the animation plays. Another alternative would be to animate the cell source objects and then use a map to control how open/closed they are. This would allow you to use a grayscale map to create patterns but also enable you to animate the façade if necessary.





I've attached both examples. I hope that helps, please let me know if I can help further.

Many thanks!

Paul
« Last Edit: May 24, 2015, 10:34:02 PM by Paul Roberts »
Paul Roberts
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GT4505

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Re: Parametric facade
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2015, 10:44:19 PM »
Hi, Paul!

Very, very nice :) that I didn't think of that before, cause I've experimented with this workflow quite some time ago!
If I see your last sample pattern, I might even think it would be possible to end the edges with a rc object.
Let's try that soon ;), I'll let you know how it went.

Thank you for the inspiring feedback!
Pieter
Pieter van Stee