Itoo Software Forum

RailClone => RailClone Pro (*) => Topic started by: theedge on February 14, 2015, 01:08:24 PM

Title: Compose operator padding question
Post by: theedge on February 14, 2015, 01:08:24 PM
Hello,
I'm trying to assemble a few elements to make a façade. For this I want to use the compose node.
I'm starting simple, with two segments that have to stack vertically. So I thought I'd set the right padding of one of the elements to be minus the width of the element.
Nothing special really : The result should be exactly as the yellow and green segments "2" and "3" on the documentation page here :
http://docs.itoosoft.com/display/RAILCLONE/Operators#Operators-Compose (http://docs.itoosoft.com/display/RAILCLONE/Operators#Operators-Compose)

My facade elments are 120cm large. So I set the right padding to -120cm. But the problem is that I can only go to -119,9cm. The second I reach -120cm, both segments disappear !
I tried to set the padding to the left, to the right, half-left and half-right, but there's no way to get it working. I always have to leave that 1mm gap if I don't want the segments to disappear.
Title: Re: Compose operator padding question
Post by: Paul Roberts on February 15, 2015, 12:08:35 PM
Hi,

Thanks for the question. You are correct that no segment can be have size of zero, this is to prevent RailClone from potentially trying to add an infinite number of segments. The workaround for this is to add half of the width to the Right Padding of the first segment and half to the Left Padding of the second segment. In total this will give you the correct offset but no individual segment has a zero value size.

I hope that helps, please let me know if you have further question.

Many thanks,

Paul
Title: Re: Compose operator padding question
Post by: theedge on February 16, 2015, 09:39:02 AM
Ah yes, makes sense and it works !
Thank you.
Title: Re: Compose operator padding question
Post by: theedge on February 16, 2015, 12:15:31 PM
Ok, I now got the base of what should be in the end a fully parametric curtain-wall system working : clip of frame with parameters (http://c2n.me/3cxGO4z)
But now I'm having a hard time adding glass panels there. The framing is the result of a compose node and then I'm trying to pipe it + the glass panel into a new compose node but everything behaves very randomly with paddings.
How is the output of a compose node treated internally ? Is it considered a new piece of geometry with the pivot centered  ?

Here's the style for the framing system without glass :
(http://c2n.me/3cxJLrw.jpg) (http://c2n.me/3cxJLrw)

And here's what I'm trying to do to add the glass :
(http://c2n.me/3cxKqaq.jpg) (http://c2n.me/3cxKqaq)
Title: Re: Compose operator padding question
Post by: Paul Roberts on February 16, 2015, 01:28:25 PM
Hi,

Are you able to send me the file? It'll be a little easier to diagnose what's going on. If you'd prefer not to post  it publicly you can send it to support@itoosoft.com.

Many thanks,

Paul
Title: Re: Compose operator padding question
Post by: theedge on February 16, 2015, 03:00:53 PM
Sure Paul,
Here is the file.
Title: Re: Compose operator padding question
Post by: Paul Roberts on February 17, 2015, 12:37:33 AM
Hi,

Though the compose mode allows you to combine segments, each segment is still treated individually by operators further down the line. This means that if you connect a compose operator to a transform operator and turn on padding it will overwrite any existing padding values those individual segments were already using.

Instead I've rejigged your style a little to include the glass segment as a part of the Horizontal Frames compose node, dividing the padding values into thirds instead of half to avoid zero sized segments. I've attached the style.

If anything is unclear, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Many thanks,

Paul
Title: Re: Compose operator padding question
Post by: theedge on February 17, 2015, 09:46:13 AM
Though the compose mode allows you to combine segments, each segment is still treated individually by operators further down the line. This means that if you connect a compose operator to a transform operator and turn on padding it will overwrite any existing padding values those individual segments were already using.
That's what I suspected when I was playing around with the compose nodes. Thank you for the confirmation, it's a very important piece of information to keep in mind.
The padding with thirds trick does work beautifully. Thank you very much !