node example for filling an area with symbols

[DomC]

An example for an custom marionette node, using controll geometry. Collects symbols out of a symbol folder and place them into the controll geometry path.

Supports randomness for offset of the base grid, density, and angle variation.

Nice for crowd, trees, forest etc. Have fun!

 

RandomSymbolinArea_(1).vwx

RandomSymbolinArea_3D.vwx

RandomSymbolinArea_v02.vwx

SymAreaMarionetteTest.vwx

[PVA - Admin]

This may very well solve issues for Landmark users as well, who felt limited by the Landscape Area and Plant Area tools, thank you!

[rDesign]

Very nice DomC! Thanks for sharing.

[Mark Flamer]

You are on fire DomC! Thanks.

[John Meunier]

Awesome work DomC,

Did you create the Marionette node 'Duplicate Symbol Folder on an area'

or is this a preloaded node?

[DomC]

Awesome work DomC,

Did you create the Marionette node 'Duplicate Symbol Folder on an area'

or is this a preloaded node?

tnx

I did with Marionette wires too. It would work. But stopped on this for working on other exercises :-).

I got holiday this week and I have to complete all those ideas NOW. After that I have to go back to other work ...

Incomplete example with wires attached. It's incomplete (It fils up the area with the last symbol and do not start again with first symbol). Randomness also not included there.

Edited September 17, 2015 by DomC

[Dave Donley]

Great tool DomC, thanks for sharing it!

We have a need in rendering for what I call a "treeline horizon" tool or menu, that will fill in the blank space on the horizon between the building and the sky. We almost developed this internally but didn't get to it. A Marionette solution is exactly where I landed on that idea - it's great to see it implemented so soon after 2016 was released! :-)

[DomC]

Hi there.

A New Version of this Marionette Object is available. Fixed the "hardcoded" Foldername (Folder-1) of the first Upload :-)

Now we can use any symbol folders we like.

[rDesign]

@DomC - thanks for uploading the new version.

Out of curiosity, I tried changing the control geometry to a NURBS surface to see if it would work on a 3d surface, but it didn't seem to like it.

Do you know if this Marionette object could be made to work on a non-flat or sloping 3d surface? Thanks.

[DomC]

I enjoy you take an interest in that tool. Thank you!

The Idea to use this on a 3d "area" seems to be very interesting.

The node script based on the vs.PtInPoly(p, h) function which handels to the control geometry. If there is no poly it will end in a script error.

For use it on a 3D Surface or a NURBs would be a complete different challenge. The symbol insertion part would be the same. But we would have to somehow build 3D Points on a NURBS Surface. Should be not impossible ...

[DomC]

A new Version of this Object.

I created the script new and under the object and module orientated marionette phylosophy. So it is based now on this nodes and wrappers:

HandyNodesAndWrappers

[DomC]

Out of curiosity, I tried changing the control geometry to a NURBS surface to see if it would work on a 3d surface, but it didn't seem to like it.

Et voilà

The same stuff on a 3D NURBS Surface.

[Bas Vellekoop]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[rDesign]

That's awesome, DomC! Thanks for sharing this. I knew you'd be able to figure it out.

I can definitely see this coming in handy for a group of people standing on stairs or a sloping hill, random groups of trees, etc.

[DomC]

A new Version.

We are able now to reshape control geometry directly (take 2D Plan view please ...) without any spam-messages :-)

combined with the random box-fassade example.

[DomC]

A little update of the marionette script (can now be edited in 3D view). GetBBox Node had to be modified for this (vs.ResetObject())

Also there is an instruction movie for the randomise symbol example:

[AlanW]

This is amazing, I am just in awe of your ability to do this.

Love the sense of humour with the characters and the Swiss army comment.

Thanks

Edited February 13, 2016 by Alan Woodwell

[Markvl]

DomC you are a genius. Love the use of Asterix and the Romans for your example. Perfect. What a great tool.

[RMDiekmann]

Is there a way with marionette to access symbols that are in a default file other than the file I am working in?

[Marissa Farrell]

Just in case anyone in interested in my answer to RMDiekmann's question posed above, I've posted my method here:

 

 

[DomC]

Hi

For now the fastest way could be to keep your existing RandomSymbolNetwork alive and update the SymbolInFolder-Node with Version v02 . I extended the SymbolFoder Node as follows:

A new Checkbox "IsFileFolder"

If this Option is switched on, it takes all Symbols from a FileFolder in the Library/Defaults/MySymbolAreas/[Foldername.vwx] imports them and move them in a SymbolFolder (To not crash your ressource order ) with the same name.

Maybe a future (easy) adaption could be, to always import the symbols in the same folder and delete the old symbols in the folder. So you can try out external content, without filling up your document ressources. reasonable?

Cheers

Dom

[ibenjamin.price]

@JimWcould you add the attached file from the original post? Doesn't look like that migrated over. 

 

Thanks!

[AlanW]

Maybe these ones are the ones you are after??

Id say the second one matched the date 7 May. HTH

SymbolFolderPreview.vwx

SymbolListFromExternalFile.vwx

[ibenjamin.price]

Thanks Alan, Ill try these out!

 

[mattao]

I've just tooled with it and with DomC help i succeed in obtaining random scaled symbols on the 3D form. ( neat)

 

I'd like to play with the "angle" PortIn of the "symbol 3D v01" node.

 

Does it take only real or int values? I assumed it could act on the "Rotate 3D" value of the 3D symbol object, therefore i thought it would take 3 values.

 

It seem to me I have to generate the 3D symbols and then 3D rotate them?

 

Is that the best way to do it?

 

Edited May 10, 2017 by mattao