Random positioning of symbol within a defined area/volume

[StudioVerma]

Hey, often I need to position an object very randomly. This time it is to create a 'confetti' effect, see attached image. What I usually do it duplicate array a symbol and rotate it in multiple planes, then Im just dragging a dropping random groupings until it looks okay. My question is, is there a smarter way to do this so I can duplicate array a 3D object completely random within a defined space?

 

Thanks your time!

Cheers

Sam

 

 

[zoomer]

Usually VW has no random options.

AFAIK it is only for Plant Areas in landscape that offers some randomization.

 

But AFAIK you can do such things with Marionette, I think it has a randomize node.

And if not AFAIK you could add som custom (Python ?) code.

 

On the other hand,

you could create such geometry in any random capable 3D App

(Blender, C4D, Modo, .....) and import it back to VW.

If it is only about 2D or 3D Polygons ....

[Jesse Cogswell]

I had some work I felt like procrastinating on this afternoon so I wrote you a plug-in that will take care of this for you.

 

 

You will select a symbol and enter the number of symbols you want to insert.  You can then select either a fixed height or set a range, same for rotation.  There is a checkbox to group all inserted symbols (might be handy if you're generating a lot of them).

 

Here's a video of it working in VW2019:

 

 

For the example I created a basic symbol that was 6"x3", 1/8" thick.  The marquee selection was 20'x20' with a height between 0'-0" and 10'-0".

 

The plug-in was written in VW2019 and should work in any version from 2019 onward.  I did test it in 2024 and it worked as expected.

 

To install the plug-in, follow the steps below:

1. Download the attached Randomize Symbol Insertion.vsm file
2. Get access to your Vectorworks User Folder.  The easiest way to do this is to:
   1. Open your Vectorworks Preferences
   2. Go to the User Folder tab
   3. Click on the Explore (Windows) / Open in Finder (Mac) button
3. Insert the downloaded .vsm file into the Plug-ins folder inside the User Folder.
4. Restart Vectorworks
5. Insert the menu command into your workspace
   1. Go to Tools - Workspaces - Edit Current Workspace
   2. Click on the Menus tab
   3. In the box on the left, find and expand the JNC category
   4. In the box on the right, find a menu to put the command in, such as Tools or Edit
   5. Click and drag the Randomize Symbol Insertion command from the box on the left to the target menu on the right
   6. Click OK

Let me know if anything weird happens.  I tested it with 3D, 2D, and Hybrid symbols.  When you use 2D symbols, it will place them on the 3D plane, so you want the symbols left on the Layer Plane, it's best to use the Fixed Height option set to 0.  One thing to keep in mind, is that the marquee boundary box and entered heights will only limit the symbol's insertion point, not the geometry of the symbol itself.  So if you are using this with large symbols, consider that when setting your insertion area.

Randomize Symbol Insertion.vsm

[michaelk]

Jesse

 

That's really fun.

[Benson Shaw]

Really nice! Many thanks for the work and clear instructions!!!  Great results on 1st try.

 

Couple comments:

Rotation is around z axis.

Enhancement? - 3d rotation to tumble the instances?

 

Symbol selection and numeric values reset to defaults after each run.

Enhancement? - Dialog "remembers" previous setting?

 

-B

Edited December 12, 2023 by Benson Shaw
clog dancing on Tuesdays

[Jesse Cogswell]

On 12/11/2023 at 9:53 PM, Benson Shaw said:

Rotation is around z axis.

Enhancement? - 3d rotation to tumble the instances?

 

Symbol selection and numeric values reset to defaults after each run.

Enhancement? - Dialog "remembers" previous setting?

Done and done.  Merry Christmas.

 

 

The X Rotation and Y Rotation settings will be disabled if you select a 2D or a hybrid symbol.  It should remember all of your settings now (I didn't test every single box and button).  Let me know if you see anything strange.

Randomize Symbol Insertion.vsm

[Benson Shaw]

Really great again!  Found a typo in heading for random Y rotation.

 

-B

 

 

[Jesse Cogswell]

Quite right.  Fixed below.

Randomize Symbol Insertion.vsm