The revolve tool

nightoftheroundtable · 17th June 2006, 12:33 AM

Hey dennis I have a question for you. can you make a plugin that is exactly like the revolve tool with some minor changes to it. I was wondering if you could like make the revolve also avalible for surfaces. I think if you made the revolve pluging something that you can revovle both surface and groups. I think it will yeild more improvments to come on making models. becuase I am using the revolve tool alot and would like a plugin for this one that would not only revolve the groups or object but would revolve the selceted surface as well. I hope this is a good sugesstion.

Dennis · 17th June 2006, 11:09 AM

Not a bad idea, but I think the feature you're looking for is the Replicator (Tools -> Replicator)? The revolve tool is good for extruding surfaces out into shapes, while the replicator does other neat things, including "revolving objects".--- the manual has some examples on how to use this tool. A very handy and often overlooked features of ac3d...

If you're looking for something else and I'm missing it, let me know.

Thanks,
Dennis

nightoftheroundtable · 17th June 2006, 12:05 PM

actually I never really understood the Replicator I have tryed to use it in different ways yet, my projects often come out really weird. I mean when I try to make spikes on my models, and I try to make it go around the object with the replicator my spikes look like huge skyscrapers. And furthermore I did like where the revolve tool was going with how you can make different things with complety random vertices or surfaces. I was just wondering for those of us who don't understand the replicator tool, maybe you can make a simple plugin that has the features of the revolve tool, but make it to where you can make a choice wether to revolve a surface or a group.

Dennis · 17th June 2006, 12:31 PM

Yeah, the Replicator can seem odd until you're familiar with it. But I really think it's preferable to another plugin --- anything I would write would be simply duplicating the Replicator functions...

Do you have an example of an object/group you'd like to affect with the Replicator? If so, we could certainly post some hints on how to accomplish your goals... that would be a good topic for the boards to give a little more insight into the Replicator's usage.

nightoftheroundtable · 17th June 2006, 12:48 PM

I do have one example at this time. One more thing on the replicator tool it seems you are given different varibles to use. but I dont understand what I am doing when placing certian numbers into those specific feilds. I think thats why I like the revolve tool better lol. anyways heres one example I am talking about on the replicator. grrr it wont let me post it. I'll host the picture on my site and will let you see what I mean.

nightoftheroundtable · 17th June 2006, 01:00 PM

anyways here you go dennis

http://users.techline.com/drreed/example1.JPG

that pic is kinda describing what I am talking about on the replicator. when you have opened the replicator tool, it gives you different fields. Within that feild is different varibles and I do get confused on what varible does what.

17th June 2006, 12:33 AM	#1
nightoftheroundtable Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: elma washington Posts: 805	The revolve tool Hey dennis I have a question for you. can you make a plugin that is exactly like the revolve tool with some minor changes to it. I was wondering if you could like make the revolve also avalible for surfaces. I think if you made the revolve pluging something that you can revovle both surface and groups. I think it will yeild more improvments to come on making models. becuase I am using the revolve tool alot and would like a plugin for this one that would not only revolve the groups or object but would revolve the selceted surface as well. I hope this is a good sugesstion.

17th June 2006, 11:09 AM	#2
Dennis Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 899	Re: The revolve tool Not a bad idea, but I think the feature you're looking for is the Replicator (Tools -> Replicator)? The revolve tool is good for extruding surfaces out into shapes, while the replicator does other neat things, including "revolving objects".--- the manual has some examples on how to use this tool. A very handy and often overlooked features of ac3d... If you're looking for something else and I'm missing it, let me know. Thanks, Dennis

17th June 2006, 12:05 PM	#3
nightoftheroundtable Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: elma washington Posts: 805	Re: The revolve tool actually I never really understood the Replicator I have tryed to use it in different ways yet, my projects often come out really weird. I mean when I try to make spikes on my models, and I try to make it go around the object with the replicator my spikes look like huge skyscrapers. And furthermore I did like where the revolve tool was going with how you can make different things with complety random vertices or surfaces. I was just wondering for those of us who don't understand the replicator tool, maybe you can make a simple plugin that has the features of the revolve tool, but make it to where you can make a choice wether to revolve a surface or a group.

17th June 2006, 12:31 PM	#4
Dennis Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 899	Re: The revolve tool Yeah, the Replicator can seem odd until you're familiar with it. But I really think it's preferable to another plugin --- anything I would write would be simply duplicating the Replicator functions... Do you have an example of an object/group you'd like to affect with the Replicator? If so, we could certainly post some hints on how to accomplish your goals... that would be a good topic for the boards to give a little more insight into the Replicator's usage.

17th June 2006, 12:48 PM	#5
nightoftheroundtable Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: elma washington Posts: 805	Re: The revolve tool I do have one example at this time. One more thing on the replicator tool it seems you are given different varibles to use. but I dont understand what I am doing when placing certian numbers into those specific feilds. I think thats why I like the revolve tool better lol. anyways heres one example I am talking about on the replicator. grrr it wont let me post it. I'll host the picture on my site and will let you see what I mean.

17th June 2006, 01:00 PM	#6
nightoftheroundtable Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: elma washington Posts: 805	Re: The revolve tool anyways here you go dennis http://users.techline.com/drreed/example1.JPG that pic is kinda describing what I am talking about on the replicator. when you have opened the replicator tool, it gives you different fields. Within that feild is different varibles and I do get confused on what varible does what.