Itoo Software Forum

Author Topic: Modules on Curved Splines  (Read 4879 times)

QS1748

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Modules on Curved Splines
« on: May 23, 2014, 12:06:54 PM »
Hi all,

I am having a little problem here wih a bridge, and i hope that rail clone can help me on that!

Basically, i have a curved and sloping splines, and 1 single module. I need to array this module to the spline, asking him to bend following the spline.

I managed to array the module on the spline (is very simple) but right now the single module is not bending itself, as you can see from the screenshot. I get very sharp corners!
You can see in yellow the straight lines which i don't want.

There is any chances to do this with Rail Clone?

Thanks

Paul Roberts

  • iToo Software
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2991
Re: Modules on Curved Splines
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2014, 12:34:11 PM »
Hi,

RailClone shouldn't have any problems creating this style. Just follow these steps

  • Create a new RailClone Object, open the style editor and and add an L1S Generator
  • Add a new Spline object and wire to the generator's input. Pick the bridge spline from the scene
  • Add a new segment object and pick the bridge geometry from the scene. Wire this to the Generator's default input. Bend is on by default so this should be all that's necessary for this style to work. You may wish to adjust the position using the generator's Z Offset parameter
  • If the segment is still not bending it could be because the interpolation steps of the base spline are too low. You can override this value in the Style Rollout using the Curve Steps parameter. This also has the benefit of being able to use valued >100, which is a limitation of adjusting this property directly in the spline primitive.
  • Looking at you screen capture you will probably need to add additional edge loops to your geometry to enable it to deform correctly. RailClone does not adaptively subdivide a mesh, this must be done manually


I hope that helps,

Please let me know if have further question.

Many thanks,

Paul
Paul Roberts
iToo Software

QS1748

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Modules on Curved Splines
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2014, 01:04:57 PM »
Hi Paul,

I did exactly the same, but the module is still not bending.

I increased the curve steps, and i tried on other splines as well, but nothing.
However, I have tried now, to split the module in 2 parts, and combine them, and it works much better.

Basically now i have "module A" , a copy of "module A" which the railclone mirror tool attached, (as you can see from the screenshot).

In case that i would like to try to subdivide this  2 module in other 2 submodels, how can i tell to Railclone to arrange them with this sequence?a-b-c-d-a-b-c-d-a-b-c-d- etc etc?

Paul Roberts

  • iToo Software
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2991
Re: Modules on Curved Splines
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2014, 01:15:33 PM »
Hi,

It's odd that the mesh is not deforming if there is sufficient detail in the geometry. Did you try adding additional edges to the mesh so that it can deform to follow the mesh? Splitting the mesh is effectively doing the same thing which is probably why it is working.

If however you wish to split it and create a sequence in RailClone you can either continue to use the compose operator as in your screenshot or use a Sequence operator which has the benefit of allowing you the option of setting counters for each segment.

If you have a scene file you're able to upload here I'd be pleased to take a look at it.

Thanks,

Paul
Paul Roberts
iToo Software

QS1748

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Modules on Curved Splines
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2014, 01:22:51 PM »
Hi Paul,

Actually i didn't try to add edges to my geometry. I did the module in Rhinoceros, and when exporting in DWG i was settings less polygon as possible. I try now to increase that value, and see what happens!

I keep you updated, thanks for your help!

QS1748

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Modules on Curved Splines
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2014, 01:53:07 PM »
solved!

I used the tessellate tool on the geometry, and now it works very well!

Is just a lot heavier!!! :)

Thanks

Paul Roberts

  • iToo Software
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2991
Re: Modules on Curved Splines
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2014, 02:20:19 PM »
Thanks for the update , glad it's all working.  :)

Many thanks,

Paul
Paul Roberts
iToo Software

QS1748

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Modules on Curved Splines
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2014, 01:31:56 PM »
Hi Paul,

Here at the office we are still having some problems with this simple array!

Are you still available to have a look to our file?
Do you have an email address on which we can forward the file?

Thanks!

Paul Roberts

  • iToo Software
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2991
Re: Modules on Curved Splines
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2014, 10:17:45 AM »
Hi,

Apologies for not replying sooner, please feel free to send your scene to support@itoosoft.com. For large files, please use a web sharing service as WeTransfer or Dropbox. I'll take a look at the problem and get in touch with you ASAP.

Thanks,

Paul
Paul Roberts
iToo Software