IllusionCatalyst - IC.Tools

IC.Tools

IC.Tools are almost always prototypes for instuments included, or still to include, in IC.Shape. They are still available for study purpose, but the most recent and better performing version is the one published within the major script.

Thanks to

Zbuffer
for support and ideas

IC.PolySplitRing — Included in IC.Shape

PolySplitRing is the name of a Maya tool that inserts an edge loop by selecting a single edge of a poly object. It gives a preview of the loop and can be adjusted along the starting edge before applying the actual cut.

This 3ds Max version is based on the same principles: once active, shows a visual preview of the loop starting edge. It is in green if the current edge supports an edge loop, or in red if it does not. The first left mouse button click selects the current edge and shows the visual preview of the complete edge loop. It can be adjusted along the edge. The second left mouse button click applies the cut and creates the edge loop geometry. In every step a right mouse button click brings the system one step back, from edge loop preview to starting edge preview, and from starting edge preview to quitting the PolySplitRing.

By keeping CTRL keyboard button pressed, the cut is constrained to the middle of the edges.
By keeping SHIFT keyboard button pressed, the cut distance from the nearest edge ring side is kept constant. (Experimental feature)

Note: Undo doesn't work always with this tool. Remembrer to save often.

Requirements

Autodesk 3ds Max 9+
Additional requirement for 3ds Max release 9 only
by Larry Minton

◊	IC.PolySplitRing — version 0.3 — 2009.02.10 — 8.88 KBytes \| downloads: 672

IC.PolySplitRing — thread on Polycount

Thanks to

Andrew "oXYnary" Robinson
for the original concept

IC.SizeInScreen

IC.SizeInScreen calculates the apparent dimension measured in pixels of the current selection in Screen Coordinate System. Works on Editable Polys and Meshes.

Get Size retrieves current selection dimensions in screen
X and Y fields provide feedback and can be used to input dimensions to adjust current view.
Update on Selection change sets the script to provide feedback on every selection change.
Update on Point Of View change sets the script to provide feedback while the point of view is changed by rotation, pan and zoom.
Frequency Ratio applies to Update on Point Of View change. Higher values correspond to more frequents updates. The overall frequency scales taking into account the complexity of the current selection.
Preset Storage offers four positions to fill with dimensions that can be set to >X or >Y.

Requirements

Autodesk 3ds Max 9+

◊	IC.SizeInScreen — version 0.2 — 2009.03.04 — 3.11 KBytes \| downloads: 151

IC.SizeInScreen — thread on Polycount

Thanks to

Ben "poopinmymouth" Mathis
for the original concept

IC.GeoEdgeLoop — Included in IC.Shape

IC.GeoEdgeLoop refits a single or multiple closed edge loops to regular shaped polygon(s). It works on Editable Poly Objects and Edit Poly Modifiers.

On single edge loop selection two algorithms are available: Refit by Vertex and Average. On multiple edge loop selection only Average is available. The edge loop is flattened on the average plane.

Refit by vertex ask for a vertex as fixed starting point for calculation. Its position is preserved, while other vertexes slide around.The polygon radius is got as the average distance from centroid to every loop vertex.
Refit average works iteratively on every vertex until a regular polygon is shaped by subsequent shifts. It checks for edge length and angle between edges. If calculation takes too long or seems freezing the system, press ESC to cancel the command.

Select one or more closed edge loops, run the script, follow on screen instructions. Right click aborts the command.

Requirements

Autodesk 3ds Max 9+
Additional requirement for 3ds Max release 9 only
by Larry Minton

◊	IC.GeoEdgeLoop — version 0.4 — 2009.10.27 — 8.40 KBytes \| downloads: 280

IC.GeoEdgeLoop — thread on Polycount

Thanks to

Pior "pior" Oberson
for the original concept

Hendrik-Jan "renderhjs" Schoenmaker
for suggestions and ideas

IC.FrameIt — Included in IC.Shape

IC.FrameIt helps the viewport navigation taking care of viewport orientation and zoom factor according to geometry in the scene. Its adaptive behaviour allows to get the better framing for each condition.

No objects selected, mouse over nothing
Frames all geometry objects in the scene
No objects selected, mouse over an object
Frames the full object under the mouse aligning view to surface hit normal
1+ objects selected, mouse over nothing
Frames the full object(s) under the mouse
1+ objects selected, mouse over a non selected object
Frames the full object under the mouse aligning view to surface hit normal
1+ objects selected, mouse over a selected object.
Frames and zooms in the object under the mouse aligning view to surface hit normal. Zoom factor is determined by fObjectSelectionFrameSize.
1 Editable Poly or Edit Poly Modifier selected, with active sub selection
Frames and zooms in the sub selection aligning view to average selection normal. Maximum Zoom in factor is determined by fSubSelectionFrameSize.

Note: See SETTINGS section at the beginning of the script to adjust framing behaviour.

Requirements

Autodesk 3ds Max 2008+

◊	IC.FrameIt — version 0.7b — 2009.11.20 — 6.59 KBytes \| downloads: 167

IC.FrameIt — thread on Polycount

Thanks to

Pior "pior" Oberson
for the original concept

IC.ExtendSurface

IC.ExtendSurface extends an Editable Poly surface from its border. If no elements are selected, all borders are extended.

Select a set of Edges or border elements
Run IC.ExtendSurface
Drag Up to increase surface extension, down to decrease
Drag Up/down pressing CTRL to adjust extension slant
Right click to exit the command or left click to start another extension

Note: Undo can be performed only from Main toolbar button or by pressing CTRL+Z after stopping the tool.

New in version 0.2: Better handling of extension slant.

Requirements

Autodesk 3ds Max 9+
Additional requirement for 3ds Max release 9 only
by Larry Minton

◊	IC.ExtendSurface — version 0.2 — 2009.12.09 — 4.53 KBytes \| downloads: 270

IC.ExtendSurface — thread on Polycount

Installation

Download the script and unpack it.
Go to the menu: MAXScript > Run Script... and choose the file scriptname.ms, or drag and drop the file on 3ds Max viewports.
The new script will be available from menu: Customize > Customize User Interface..., under Category: IllusionCatalyst Tools.

License

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