Itoo Software Forum

RailClone => Tutorials => Topic started by: Jose Antonio Dorado on October 28, 2014, 01:23:10 PM

Title: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Jose Antonio Dorado on October 28, 2014, 01:23:10 PM
Post here your questions and comments about the Creating Ceilings (http://www.itoosoft.com/tutorials/tutorial_ceiling.php) tutorial.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Jesse Martin on October 28, 2014, 01:53:08 PM
Well done!  I've been waiting on this one for a while now.  I was using my own version, but it wasn't as elegant with the automatic light spacing.  Is there a way to export that light spacing setting so we can control it from the modify panel?
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Paul Roberts on October 28, 2014, 02:15:40 PM
Hi Jesse,

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you find the tutorial useful. Regarding your question, because the counters are generated dynamically when segments are added, I'm afraid there is not currently a way to export them. However this feature has been requested before and we're looking into it.

Many thanks,

Paul
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: kadmaster on October 29, 2014, 08:10:52 AM
Thanks to you.Very useful tutorial for me.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: VelvetElvis on October 29, 2014, 05:59:57 PM
How would you go about ensuring that you have a frame all the way around the perimeter of the ceiling tile? Those ACT tiles don't just die into the wall, they have a frame on the edge. Can it be done in rail clone or would it be easier to simply sweep the outside frame and rail clone only the inside parts?

Additionally, is there a way to make sure that all of the outer edge tiles are ACT tiles and not lights regardless of the sequence? At the end of the tutorial, you can see half of a light just ending into randomness.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Paul Roberts on October 29, 2014, 07:07:11 PM
Hi,

Thanks for the questions. To add a frame around the edge you can add a second L1S generator and use the same boundary spline, then add a segment with the frame profile to the default input. You may wish to adjust the Y and  Z Offset to control the position of the frame.

(http://lonelymonk.com/forum_images/b55bd2b69c85452a9fe2625fb4429bc8.jpg)

Removing lights on the border is trickier to achieve, there is not currently a way to test to see if a segment is the last in a row or column or has been sliced. An alternative, which will work for rectilinear rooms, might be to use conditional operators and test for a minimum and maximum segment count on each axis. In this way you can This sequence of 4 conditional operators lets you control the point at which you want the lights to start and end.

(http://lonelymonk.com/forum_images/91dc81ba63204816b28afbe4938eda13.jpg)

(http://lonelymonk.com/forum_images/27a19b7679b949b8b39b3e23f5b74e8a.jpg)

I've attached the file for you to take a look at. I hope that helps, please let me know if you have further questions.

Cheers,

Paul
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: nmoser on February 12, 2015, 01:39:00 PM
Thank you very much for this tutorial. Very useful. I will certainly use this for future projects.
The only issue I have is how can I avoid lights being cut on the edges if I'm using an irregular shape?
Is there any rule I can create in order that all the lights on the edges are substituted to the ceiling object?


Thank you

(http://i.imgur.com/J4YOjkk.jpg)
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Paul Roberts on February 12, 2015, 05:47:43 PM
Hi,

Unfortunately there is not a way to detect if a segment has been cut because the clipping operation takes place after the graph has been evaluated. The only way I can think of to do this would be to create two styles, one with lights and one without. To do this, try the following:


I Hope that helps, please see the attached file for this example.

Cheers,

Paul
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: nmoser on February 12, 2015, 06:53:09 PM
Paul,

Thank you very much for your explanation and thank's for your quick reply!
Very useful tip!

Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Paul Roberts on February 12, 2015, 07:20:06 PM
No problem, glad it was helpful  :)
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: dirkmyers on January 30, 2017, 12:45:30 PM
My question is regarding creating the 2x2 grid but using 2x4 lights. I have attached a screen shot of the rail clone screen along with what is being created. Any help would be appreciated. Keep up the good work. Thanks.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Michal Karmazín on January 30, 2017, 01:26:57 PM
Hi,

The easiest way to avoid similar issues is to have Segments of the same size - as rows are always the full height of the tallest segment and therefore building the style from Segments with equal Y Size is much easier (as on the first attached screen-shot). In you case, rotation the RailClone object (to switch X & Y) might be a solution.

When this is not possible, it requires combination of Sequence Operators to archive it. I would suggest you to check the "Cobblestone pattern (http://forum.itoosoft.com/index.php?topic=3502.msg13681#msg13681)" thread, where you can find a possible solution for these cases. Attaching a sample scene with style from such thread that uses shown "YYX Sequence" work-flow with several Arithmetic Operators performing automatic calculations of sizes & counters. Hope you'll find it helpful.

Best regards,
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: hoshimiya@midasco.co.jp on June 08, 2017, 10:00:09 AM
Hi

I am very new to RailClone, but already loving it!
I am following this ceiling tutorial to create my own version and got 2 questions.

1. Can I "offset" the sequence? I have made a pattern of 2 panels then 1 light unit. I simply want to offset the sequence so it starts 1 panel, 1 light, 2 panels, 1 light, and then 2 panels and continue from the edge of my boundary. I know I can make it by plugging 1 panel, 1 light, 1 panel  into a sequence, but it would be nice if I can simply offset the sequence. Ideally I want to export number of the panels so I can easily adjust the count of plain panels between the light units for flexibility.

2. Would it be possible to some how link vray light to light unit? It would be nice if I can automate the process of instancing vray light under each light unit.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Michal Karmazín on June 08, 2017, 11:05:10 AM
Hi,

Thanks for your kind words about our plug-in.
Quote
"I simply want to offset the sequence so it starts 1 panel, 1 light, 2 panels, 1 light, and then 2 panels and continue from the edge of my boundary."
An option would be to make a copy of the Sequence Operator, adjust counters accordingly and use the Conditional Operator with the Segment X Counter - Equal to 1 to use that one just on the beginning. Attaching screen-shots.
Quote
"Would it be possible to some how link vray light to light unit? It would be nice if I can automate the process of instancing vray light under each light unit."
I would suggest you to check this tightly related post (https://forum.itoosoft.com/index.php?topic=2600.msg9891#msg9891). Hope that helps.

Best regards,
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: hoshimiya@midasco.co.jp on June 09, 2017, 11:16:03 AM
Hi  Michal

Thanks for quick response. I followed your steps and managed to offset along x.
By exporting Conditional Operator's Segment X Counter, I also managed to change the number of panels to offset.

Now I want to have off set along Y as well. When I input result of Conditional operator into another Conditional to offset along Y, I run into trouble.
The way I set up, it always add extra panel at the start of Y axis and not sure how to solve it.
Can you kindly have a look and suggest the way to achieve what I trying to do?

Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Michal Karmazín on June 09, 2017, 02:00:39 PM
Hi,

It shouldn't be necessary to add another Conditional Operator. By adding the "first" Segment again into the Sequence Operator with the Increment at Y should do the trick. Attaching screen-shot. Hope that helps.

Best regards,
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: hoshimiya@midasco.co.jp on June 12, 2017, 06:03:41 AM
Hi

Thanks. I get what you mean, but say if 
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: lukx on July 17, 2018, 02:59:33 PM
Is there any easy way to add celling parts with vents and fire alarms? I created those tiles but I'm not sure how I can add them to the ceiling. I don't want them too often but only in few places.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Rokas on July 17, 2018, 04:09:19 PM
There are couple of ways, depending on the style You already have. If You attached Your scene (or send us privately) we could help You.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: lukx on July 17, 2018, 05:17:18 PM
grate, let's say I would like to have vents where red circles and fire alarms where X
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Rokas on July 18, 2018, 08:54:27 AM
Hi

I reorganized Your style to multiple sequences, it might be easier to understand and edit.

(https://i.imgur.com/UHGlcp3.jpg)

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: lukx on July 18, 2018, 09:35:45 AM
Thank you very much Rokas!
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: FI4218 on April 10, 2019, 03:20:27 PM
Hi
I'm trying to learn more about this excellent tool
I've a simple question about editing the style provided on the tutorial
How can I offset the entire style, keeping the limit boundary, so that my lights can match the cad drawings? 
Is there a simple way? Without changing all the segments? 
I've tryed the align rules on the array and the transform modifier without success :)

So far my style is the default one No changes

Thank you guys
Keep up the excellent work

Pedro
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: Rokas on April 10, 2019, 03:28:13 PM
Welcome to the forum.

I would recommend to take these steps:

1. Remove spline wire from Clipping Area.
2. Uncheck Extend X/Y Size to Area
3. Set Your own custom X Size and Y size to cover Your needed area and adjust RailClone Object location in the viewport:
(https://i.imgur.com/ByUuv2Z.png)

4. Then plug in Spline back again to Clipping area.
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: FI4218 on April 10, 2019, 03:46:29 PM
Welcome to the forum.

I would recommend to take these steps:

1. Remove spline wire from Clipping Area.
2. Uncheck Extend X/Y Size to Area
3. Set Your own custom X Size and Y size to cover Your needed area and adjust RailClone Object location in the viewport:
(https://i.imgur.com/ByUuv2Z.png)

4. Then plug in Spline back again to Clipping area.
Hope this helps.

Hi Rokas
Thank you so much for the quick respond

I've did it but the X/Y sizes are locked after step 2...
What am I missing?

Cheers
 
Title: Re: Creating Ceilings
Post by: FI4218 on April 10, 2019, 04:09:11 PM
Hi Rokas
I've got it right Tanks!!! :)

Cheers