I'm trying to do abit of architecture, but I'm having a problem. In the image, I've got a block of steps. I want them to meet at the 45 degree angle as represented by the white lines on the near corner. I can't figure how to do it without a cutter tool or something.
Rotating the side doesn't preserve the width and I realise I could do it by just placing blocks on top of each other to build up steps.
Any of the Mech modeling boffins know the answer? Thanks.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~KenHeslip/steps.jpg
Full Version: Modeling steps
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There are several ways that you could approach this problem, Ken.
1) Using your current model, select the steps from just the front side of the model and freeze the rest of the cps. Then, using the x-axis constraint, (key1), slide your control points left and right to match up with the frozen parts of your model. When done, delete all geometry except the newly edited section and use the duplicator wizard to copy/rotate the new sections. Of course you will still need to stitch them together.
2) Remodel using extruded boxes, peek all cps, scale and transform each layer to fit your step dimensions, un-peek/curve all bevelled cps and tweek.
3) Probably easiest is to draw out a profile for just one corner and then lathe with 4 cross sections.
If you want rounded corners to the steps then lathe with 8 cross sections, select points on 4 adjacent cross sections and rotate until sections almost touch. Edit out the taper that is produced.
That's what immediately comes to mind but I'm sure there are altenatives.
1) Using your current model, select the steps from just the front side of the model and freeze the rest of the cps. Then, using the x-axis constraint, (key1), slide your control points left and right to match up with the frozen parts of your model. When done, delete all geometry except the newly edited section and use the duplicator wizard to copy/rotate the new sections. Of course you will still need to stitch them together.
2) Remodel using extruded boxes, peek all cps, scale and transform each layer to fit your step dimensions, un-peek/curve all bevelled cps and tweek.
3) Probably easiest is to draw out a profile for just one corner and then lathe with 4 cross sections.
If you want rounded corners to the steps then lathe with 8 cross sections, select points on 4 adjacent cross sections and rotate until sections almost touch. Edit out the taper that is produced.
That's what immediately comes to mind but I'm sure there are altenatives.
Very easy
Assuming the steps that will meet are similarly scaled, copy/paste a profile spline and rotate it 45 degrees (easiest from the top view). Align the spline along the intersecting plane. From the top view you will have to lengthen the tread length (X,Z) to take in to account the diagonal. Add splines and peak.
sample project
Assuming the steps that will meet are similarly scaled, copy/paste a profile spline and rotate it 45 degrees (easiest from the top view). Align the spline along the intersecting plane. From the top view you will have to lengthen the tread length (X,Z) to take in to account the diagonal. Add splines and peak.
sample project
- From top view, lets say you want to angle the right side of the lower steps (lower in the top view that is)
- Select the steps right side you want to angle. The whole side.
- hit "R" and move the pivot so that it sits exactly at the top of the side, where your steps meet the right steps.
- Click the Y axis rotation manipulator handle and press the "1" X-constraint key while you turn the manipulator 180°
That's it. All your step side CPs should be properly angled.
- Select the steps right side you want to angle. The whole side.
- hit "R" and move the pivot so that it sits exactly at the top of the side, where your steps meet the right steps.
- Click the Y axis rotation manipulator handle and press the "1" X-constraint key while you turn the manipulator 180°
That's it. All your step side CPs should be properly angled.
Another way is from top view with snap to grid selected, draw out your square with 4 points, then from front extrude up however many grid spaces you want, select top ring of splines and extrude again and scale inwards however many grid spaces you want and so on.
Dang... Yves beat me to it!
Although... here is a tip that makes it even simpler, and exact...
If ALL the step shapes are identical and are exactly centered in the modeling window and "square", just select a side, as above, and set the pivot to 0,0,0 and holding either the 1 or the 3 (depends on which "step" side is being rotated) hit the "R" key and rotate 180º on the Y axis.
By doing it this way... the location of the CPs for connecting at the corners are positioned exactly, you won't need to position the pivot by hand and possibly having the corners "missaligned".
Use the "3" constraint for the side steps sides. Use the "1" for the front and back.
Vernon "!" Zehr
Although... here is a tip that makes it even simpler, and exact...
If ALL the step shapes are identical and are exactly centered in the modeling window and "square", just select a side, as above, and set the pivot to 0,0,0 and holding either the 1 or the 3 (depends on which "step" side is being rotated) hit the "R" key and rotate 180º on the Y axis.
By doing it this way... the location of the CPs for connecting at the corners are positioned exactly, you won't need to position the pivot by hand and possibly having the corners "missaligned".
Use the "3" constraint for the side steps sides. Use the "1" for the front and back.
Vernon "!" Zehr
hmmm, I think the easiest way is to use Sweeper plugin 
I'm not sure, I have to try.
I'm not sure, I have to try.
Jep, it can be done 
But perhaps it's not easiest way
But perhaps it's not easiest way
Here’s the technique I use with the ‘distortion mode’:
* Find out how long the spline is down one axis.
* Select the spline you wish to distort 45 degrees and switch to ‘distortion mode’. Make sure the distortion box has two sections in each axis as I’ve found using just one in v11 skews the splines a bit.
* Move the end points of the distortion box the figure you found out before in the direction you wish to distort.
* Move the mid points half the distance in the same direction.
That should do it quite quickly and is the way I’ve been doing my architectural modelling all day today.
Steve.
* Find out how long the spline is down one axis.
* Select the spline you wish to distort 45 degrees and switch to ‘distortion mode’. Make sure the distortion box has two sections in each axis as I’ve found using just one in v11 skews the splines a bit.
* Move the end points of the distortion box the figure you found out before in the direction you wish to distort.
* Move the mid points half the distance in the same direction.
That should do it quite quickly and is the way I’ve been doing my architectural modelling all day today.
Steve.
| QUOTE |
| Click the Y axis rotation manipulator handle and press the "1" X-constraint key while you turn the manipulator 180° |
Ahh!
That's amazing! I don't think that I have ever tried to use a constrain key with a rotation.
Brilliant!
Thanks guys! Lots to consider there. We don't need no steenking cutter tool! 
| QUOTE (Paul Forwood @ Mar 24 2005, 10:17 PM) |
| That's amazing! I don't think that I have ever tried to use a constrain key with a rotation. |
I just tried it. It's really cool!
On that note, it would be a real help if you could see how many degrees you're rotating in the model window. Kind of like how you can see it when you rotate a bone. Even the values moving in the properties panel would do.
Wow Yves, thanks for sharing that technique - it's very quick and easy. I too never thought to try doing that.
Steve.
Steve.
You could also, from a front (or side view), with your grid set to the step depth and height (*you could adjust height at the end easiest). e.g. grid at 1cm and displayed.
draw out the number of steps (left one cp up on cp and the grid square) then lathe, with your number set to 4.
Then delete one corner edge and adjust the 'top step' so that there was no big gap and
you would be done.
no pivoting required ...... no attaching cps, just profile steps, lathe, delete the the unnecessary corner. If required 4 sides then there is nothing to delete.
draw out the number of steps (left one cp up on cp and the grid square) then lathe, with your number set to 4.
Then delete one corner edge and adjust the 'top step' so that there was no big gap and
you would be done.
no pivoting required ...... no attaching cps, just profile steps, lathe, delete the the unnecessary corner. If required 4 sides then there is nothing to delete.
| QUOTE |
| just profile steps, lathe |
Yes, lathe set to four cross sections and peak, elegant in its simplicity!
I like that one the best.
| QUOTE |
| it would be a real help if you could see how many degrees you're rotating in the model window |
Yes! I second that.
| QUOTE |
| Yes, lathe set to four cross sections and peak, elegant in its simplicity! I like that one the best. |
This is my preferred method but with one change.
Moscafilms (Hi Emilio!) convinced me that peaking isn't the best way to go.
He once demonstrated (during a #hash3D chat) the use of Bias adjustment instead of peaking. This can be done on a group by selecting all desired CPs and entering the magnitude in the Manipulator properties popup. Make sure it's toggled on.
Peaking is so ingrained in my habits that I still don't understand Bias enough but I do know that it produces superior results... a beveling effect on edges that Peaking will not produce.
So my suggested reading of the most elegant solution:
Lathe the profile of the unpeaked steps with four (4) cross sections and adjust the bias (alpha/magnitude) of the splines in the manipulator properties window.*
Emilio has an 'umbrella' tutorial that perfectly demonstrates the benefits of Bias adjustment. He also wrote a plugin to gain even more control: SetBias
I think he is updating his site now... so not sure the tutorial is available.
http://www2.ddn.com.br/emi/tutorials/umbrellam.html
*Note: I think a setting around 10 on the magnitude would probably work.
Edit: The tutorial (.swf/flash) works but I had to load it twice as the first seemed to stall. There is no sound (I think) so that isn't a glitch.
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