simplify 2d polygons

[ray isaacs]

there should be a straight forward way to simplify 2d polygons with accurate results. (maybe there is and i haven't figured it out.)

when making a context model using imported dxf/dwg data, shapes representing roads, etc. can have 10's of thousands of vertices each, which overwelms the dtm. right now i have to convert the polys into 3d polys, simplify them (which reduces them to less than 200 vertices), then convert them back to 2d, then redraw parts of them that are inaccurate. on some projects this process simply isn't worth it and i stick with 2d, until we get to a later stage requiring much less context--or i do rough 3d modeling in sketchup.

cheers,

ray

[Benson Shaw]

DTM source data can include 3d loci. I have used Duplicate Along Path to replace contour polys with a series of loci duplicated along each contour. Make a class for each z value, group the loci for each contour when they are created, and assign them to the appropriate z value class. Each z can even have a color - or major/minor colors if that's less visual clutter.

May not help with the roads, but in general, this is a way to control the vertex count when DTM polys are out of control.

-B

[ray isaacs]

yes, that's right.

but, what i'm asking for is real straight forward: a tool to accurately simplify 2d polys. if we can do it with 3d polys--though not accurately enough--why not 2d? why go through all the extra gymnastics?

cheers,

ray

[mike m oz]

There is a free script available at Vector Depot. Its for version 8,5 so may not work reliably in Vw 2013. http://www.vectordepot.com/older_plug-ins.html

There is a pay for script at Vectorbits which has a simplify polygon option:

http://www.vectorbits.org/VectorBits_2013/donationware/Entradas/2008/1/8_Purge_Polygons.html

[Kevin McAllister]

2D and 3D polygons, as well as their polyline companions (2D polylines / 3D NURBS Curves), should all behave and be edited in the same way. There should be a universal toolset that works with all of them in the same way. This includes the simplify function you are looking for.

Kevin