Virtual Shape Research - Forum

Subject: Specific automotive task: could Rhino/VSR do it ? - by: boja

boja — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:39:07 +0100

Hi Michael and everyone. I'm not modeling anymore (lack of time:S ) but always interested in nurbs world.
So, youtubing I found this video:

starting from minute 1:28 there's a "tipical automotive task-workflow": a fender / flared wheelarc with an interesting method.

It's done with another soft with Global shape modeling. He trims the base surface, then select the trimmed edge and tells
the software to "adapt" (!?) THAT edge to another (simpler ?) curve.

Seems like a "conform rig" in Alias.

As I remember, the only way to do this within Rhino, is to tell a premade Patch surface to "adapt" to that curve before, and then trim the result with same curve BUT...

1) the base srf is a patch one = undesiderable
2) the results were rough while we want precision (right?)

Again: as I can see from you later stunning video about filling a "five sided hole" we could do it better, building the whole part with a less insane patch layout or using one of the more interesting tool in VSR: Multiblend. But I really like the method in the video I provided.

What I would to know is: will it ever Rhino (or VSR let him) have the ability seen in the link I provided ?

To everyone: sorry If I wasted your time.

See ya.

Subject: Working with VSR in Rhino #3 - by: Michael-GG

Michael-GG — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:37:34 +0100

Hi folks,

third part of working with VSR in Rhino, showing the Multi Blend function, and how to model around trouble spots when using it:

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: Blend Surface whit VSR - by: davide76

davide76 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:21:35 +0100

Hello Michael.
I should make a BlendSrf using VSR of the two ends of the surface (the surface of blend of red color was made with the internal command Rhino).

I tried using the Blend control of your plug-in but the results do not look good.
I maybe wrong I? or is it some possible bug?

Thank you.

Subject: WISH-Add More Options to Edit Control Points - by: Dan_W

Dan_W — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:43:11 +0100

Hi Michael,

I was thinking these two options would be very useful in Edit Control Points.

1. Have a selection next to all four edges with the number of rows that can be changed. I realize the degree can be changed in Edit Control Point window but also being able to change the number of rows next to each edge would be nice. The thing is, my eyes are always looking at the geometry so having that option would make it easier to keep my focus on the geometry while I change the number of rows. Another positive of this is it would be educational showing that a 3rd degree surface has 4 rows (for example) when comparing to the Edit Control Point window.

2. Being able to lock each edge from moving with G0, G1, G2, or G3 options. I love that feature in ISD/CATIA. It's very useful.

Here are the screen shots.

Thanks!

Dan

Subject: WISH-Add Support Input Selection for Surface Blend - by: Dan_W

Dan_W — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:23:08 +0100

Hi Michael,

I've been testing out Surface Blend (I really like it a lot btw) and I got to thinking it would be useful to add a Support Input to Selection. Currently the only selections are Edge 1 and Edge 2. It would be great to have Edge 1 and Support 1 then Edge 2 and Support 2. This would allow for the selection of a curve that is projected on surface or the edge of a surface for the edge then a Surface for the support. Then I got to thinking about the Laws for Surface Blend and how that would all work. What I would do is make the Edge selection the starting point for the laws then if you slide off the curve selection on the surface using laws then if you reset the surface it would go back to the selected edge as the starting point. In that way laws can still be implemented along with selecting a curve for an edge and a surface for a support. Also about the laws for surface blends, it would also be useful to be able to pull/slide a single G0, G1, G2, or G3 point while making the Surface Blend, I realize that wouldn't really be using laws but I thought I should mention it before laws get implemented in Surface Blends... (Ok, I went off topic for a second there with the sliding a single point comment, while I'm off topic, I will have some feedback of some testing I did with Surface Blend next week when I have a little bit of time to spare...)

Here are some screen shots. The first ISD screen shot shows two surfaces each with a curve projected on the surface. The second ISD screen shot shows a Blend Surface being built to the curves then the surfaces for the support.

Thanks!

Dan

Subject: WISH? SSI (Surface Surface Intersection) Analysis - by: Dan_W

Dan_W — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 01:24:11 +0100

Hi Michael,

Does Surface Surface Intersection (like in ICEM Surf) exist in VSR? I looked and don't see it. If not can that be added as a request?

I use SSI to flange through surface blends to dynamically get an intersection for the purpose of creating flowing tangent lines. I like it to be dynamic so I can see what I'm doing while I'm creating it. Then once I'm happy with the where the angle of the flange is at by looking at the SSI (Surface Flange Intersection through Surface Blend) I just create a curve from the SSI (or trim the surface back at the flange) to do a surface blend between the two surface blends to build a corner. I made up this technique back in the late 90s on ICEM Surf (the plane method doesn't flow as nice) and it does a great job of making the tangent lines flow. I'm thinking I can probably can use Rhino intersection but it's not dynamic to where I can adjust the flanges until I'm happy with it... I will create something (hopefully soon) to provide screen shots of the technique I'm talking about...

Thanks!

Dan

Subject: WISH: Stretch View - by: Dan_W

Dan_W — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 01:51:53 +0100

Hi Michael,

Is it possible to add Stretch View in VSR? (I haven't spent a lot of time in Rhino so I don't know if it exists, although I did look today) This is something that has been in most of the Class A Surfacing software I've worked on which really helps to get a good visual of what's going on in an area of the model by expanding the zoom in one direction. This does not change the geometry in any way it just expands/stretches the view.

Thanks!

Dan

This screen shot is not stretched, the last two screen shots are.

This screen shot is stretched.

This screen shot is stretched even more.

Subject: WISH: Edit Control Point Diffusion Laws - by: Dan_W

Dan_W — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 01:36:19 +0100

Hi Michael,

Are there any plans to add Diffusion Laws in Edit Control Points in VSR? In ISD there is Constant, Linear, Concave, Convex, and Bell Diffusion Laws and also Cross-Diffusion Laws. It would be great to have this in VSR! It would be great if it was possible to extend that to Surface Blends as well.

BTW, for clarification, Constant is already there, which is just moving the points the same, but I don't think (correct me if I'm wrong) the rest of the laws are not in VSR.

Thanks!

Dan

Linear Law

Concave Law

Convex Law

Bell Law

Cross Diffusion with Concave Law on the U and Convex Law on the V (the laws can be changed around in Cross Diffusion)

Subject: WISH - Symmetry Plane in Edit Control Points - by: Dan_W

Dan_W — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:06:14 +0100

Hi Michael,

Here is a great idea found in CATIA, when I first saw this I was amazed at how simple yet how powerful an idea this is. I like your video showing how VSR can surface symmetrically across the centerline but there is also another way that is quick and impossible to have a peak or valley across the centerline of a symmetrical surface. The way that can be done is to instead of building half the surface, build the entire surface and have the a Symmetry option in editing the control points where you pick a plane for the centerline. When you move a control point on one side the control point on the opposite side moves with it with the exact same values except it's on the opposite side of the plane. This works for even control points across the plane and also odd number of control points. In the case of odd control points the middle row of control points always lay on the centerline plane. What makes this idea so great is the fact that it is impossible to have a peak or valley across the centerline and it's an extremely fast way to build a symmetrical surface to scan. Then if you want, you can trim the surface back (or split, I'm not thinking facing it but splitting/trimming it back) to the centerline if you just want half and it's perfect, and I'm thinking you can also use it with the VSR function you show in your video to make sure it is in fact symmetrical. I think this would be a great addition to VSR.

Here are some screen shots in ISD

6 rows x 4 rows example:

5 rows x 4 rows example:

I realize this next example of trying to make a bad surface has a dip in the center but what it does not have is a hard sharp valley and it's perfectly symmetrical and perfectly smooth across the centerline.

Here is an example of the same 5 x 4 surface where I try to make a bad surface yet it remains symmetrical across the centerline:

Subject: Good job for VSR! - by: davide76

davide76 — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:17:16 +0100

From what I see in VSR are doing a great job, you are walking a good way, as opposed to what they are doing with Rhinoceros.
VSR from version to version are adding new features and important, are not present or very poor in Rhino.

Congratulations on the work you are doing, Michael, also your service is excellent, very professional!

I like the fact that you listen to the suggestions of users, you do not stay closed in your offices, as do those of Autodesk.

Subject: Matching inside a surface - by: Dan_W

Dan_W — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:09:30 +0100

Hi Michael,

I have some questions about the functionality of VSR Shape Modeling. The reason for my functionality questions is because I only had about an hour to try out the VSR Shape Modeling demo and that was over two months ago and by time I went back the demo had expired. (I picked a bad time to try out the demo) I've seen some of your demos and I like what I see but because I can't use the software until I make a purchase I will just ask some of the questions I have and that will satisfy my concerns before making the purchase. I will say with the hour I spent trying out VSR it's the closet thing I've ever seen that would come close to compare with ICEM Surf and I really like where VSR Shape Modeling is going, it's going in the right direction from what I can see. Anyway, I will ask my questions one post at a time and I will start with this one.

Can VSR Shape Modeling match inside a surface? If not is it on the wish list for the next release? This is something that ICEM Surf always did back when I worked on it in the 90s (hot key p for Patch in ICEM Surf when matching for example). A good example of why I like to match on the inside of an extended surface is a door trim panel at the lower rear. It's not realistic to build a main slab to bend around a corner like that so instead I would build an extended main surface then match the fillets to the inside of the extended surface then face the main surface to the fillet tangent lines. Most of the time I like to match inside a main surface so I can keep it extended slightly just incase I need to change the side walls some for example. I remember that extrapolate worked quite well in the VSR demo but I still like to over build my main slabs when it comes to something like a door trim substrate. I realize it's sometimes better to trim the surface back to the tangent edge but that doesn't always work well in interior trim.

See ISD screen shot of matching inside a surface. ISD has a button for that and I think it says internal when you mouse over it...

Thanks!

Dan

Subject: WISH: offset polysurface in VSR - by: syl1130

syl1130 — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:53:31 +0100

Hello Michael,

have you ever thought of the offset polysrf in Rhino?
When I have offseted the polysrf in Rhino with solid, it has a problem.
Like this:

I wish this problem could be work done in VSR. Thanks

This is the file:

I am sorry,I have created two topic.please delete one.

Cheers,
Alxen

Subject: WISH: Tools curve on surface in VSR - by: davide76

davide76 — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:34:15 +0100

Propose some improvements, in my opinion interesting, I would like to VSR were introduced, a little lacking in Rhinoceros.

- Curve of editable surface: giving the possibility to move the points of a curve, by modifying its shape and maintaining at the same time belonging to the surface.

-Offset constant and variable on surface: the constant offset in Rhino can be done, but not yet variable. Many users would like this option.

- Extend Curve on Surface: I would like to extend you could interactively (with handle) the end of the curve until the desired distance (even with numeric input).

Curve Blend-adjustable on surface: there is no such command in Rhino, can only be done by projecting the curve on the surface.

Subject: Wish: VSR sweep surface - by: nabed

nabed — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:05:00 +0100

A VSR sweep surface function would be neat as the creation of single span sweeps in Rhino is somewhat unreliable and lacks the interactive control over degree/spans.
So VSR sweep (1 and two rail) would be a welcome addition.

Ciao, Norbert

Subject: Wish: control point modeling with falloffs - by: nabed

nabed — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:32:19 +0100

The title says it all: Falloffs with dedicated, independent controls of how many control points (or rows of controlpoints) are affected by modeling operations would be great addition to the toolbox.

Cheers, Norbert

Subject: WISH: Shift Select Control Points - by: mark_landsaat

mark_landsaat — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:39:33 +0100

Hi guys,

I really like the control point modeling function of VSR, but currently it is not possible to have a custom selection of control points. Would it be possible to add a "shift select" function to VSR control point modeling? This will allow you to create a custom selection of multiple points, but not constrained to a full row.

I have included a screenshot of a shift select example from Rhino control points.

Subject: Reverse Engineering in Rhino with VSR - by: Michael-GG

Michael-GG — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:42:38 +0100

Hi folks,

new video online, showing the first steps of how to use VSR Shape Modeling for Reverse Engineering in Rhino:

More parts to come!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: WISH: "VSR Shape Options" Panel - by: mark_landsaat

mark_landsaat — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 02:38:54 +0100

Hi Michael,

Please see the screenshot of my computer below. I like to use the "Rhino Panels" in my modeling interface. Currently the "VSR Shape Options" cannot be docked as a Rhino Panel. It can be docked as a toolbar, but you can't use the Tab functionality of the Panels. Is this something that could be implemented as an enhancement for a future release?

Subject: Novedge Webinar on March 6th 2013 - by: Michael-GG

Michael-GG — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:57:27 +0100

Hi Guys,

for those who missed it, here is the video from our Online Webinar for Novedge on March 6th 2013:

resp.

vimeo.com/61219203

Sorry for the moderate audio quality!

For those who have seen the Class A video part 2, you will know most of the beginning, you can start at 16:45.

Cheers,
Michael