Thicken a network of lines with specified half section

Here is a script used to thicken a network of lines which could have a normal direction at each node.

It is similar in function to Cytoskeleton. It is an extension of this tool discussion.

It output mainly quads and sometimes triangles if some lines are not connected. As half sections are quite whatever you want it could be possible to make watertigh model with some smooth exterior and with interiors fins in order to have a better rigidity and a low weight. The script provided contains many examples of use.

As inputs

Necessary

* Points (P)

* Connection between points (LP)

* Point to points connection (PP)

* and a minimum one width (WidtsAtPoint), or a width (radius) for each point.

Optional

* NormalsAtPoint, you could provide one normal per point in order to orient sections

* Number of sections is the number of sections used to generate the mesh (minimum 2)

* Striction a numeric value between -3. and 3 used to modify striction of nodes

* The sections definitions is given through to same size list of double

* Lateral coordinates : first and last lateral coodinate must be 0.0 for watertight mesh

* Height coordinates

Output :

* Many meshes which could be joined

P/LP/PP comes from topology of network, you could use SandBoxTopology plugin or mine component

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel González Abalde on May 7, 2016 at 8:27am

Great tool!! Thank you Laurent :)

Permalink Reply by Laurent DELRIEU on May 7, 2016 at 9:37am

Thanks Daniel

at the moment it is possible to have different widths at each face. The output "M" is a tree, each branch represent a face or road on the graph, here represented with differents colors, there is a big outside and many parts inside. So at the moment, the worflow for 2 differents sizes, shapes (with same value of height at x=0.0) is to make the two shapes, select the meshes and join them. I will post an example. As the section curve is normalized by width, I must change that in order to normalize by height. I post an example of updated script ASAP.

Permalink Reply by Laurent DELRIEU on May 7, 2016 at 10:00am

Here is an example of 2 types of sections, one for the inside and one for the outside.

Main script updated

Permalink Reply by Nik Willmore on May 7, 2016 at 12:31pm

I hope to see many more examples posted. Cross section control is epic. It looks so esoteric though, as I don't understand the trick, what it really does. Are there cells? Many questions.

Permalink Reply by Laurent DELRIEU on May 7, 2016 at 1:02pm

Nik the main explanations are on this discussion:

http://www.grasshopper3d.com/group/kangaroo/forum/topics/envelop-of...

On 2D imagine lines as the middle of the road (center lines), so the algorithm seek for roads (left and right). On 2D I use Z axis in order to know with is the road which turn left or right ... On 3d I need some normals at intersection to make a choice.

Here, green is the network, half section profile is represented by the cross linked by lines. This is used to make mesh. Catmull and Clark finish the job.

Permalink Reply by Laurent DELRIEU on May 7, 2016 at 2:07pm

An example with an heart in 3d, remesh with MeshMachine, lines network using ShortestWalk.There is a problem at the end because the mesh is surely to sharp so the normals transition are not smooth.

The half section is like that (here with polylines)

With clipping plane it gives :

Permalink Reply by Laurent DELRIEU on May 7, 2016 at 4:00pm

Using Mac Maze definition, but instead of drawing the wall I draw the path, just one so one solid mesh. A carved model, to play with a ball ?

Each color represent a side of a road (71), it stops at end.

Permalink Reply by Richard Haverland on December 13, 2017 at 12:19pm

Hey Laurent! First of all thank you for sharing your definition, it is awesome! I have a question about the maze definition: How do you get the path, instead of the walls?

Greetings, Richard.

Permalink Reply by Laurent DELRIEU on December 14, 2017 at 5:36am

You didn't look at the good place. See there for a complete maze script

http://www.grasshopper3d.com/forum/topics/maze-from-mesh

Permalink Reply by Richard Haverland on December 15, 2017 at 4:05am

Thanks a lot Laurent! You are right, didn't find this place...it is really helpful.

Greetings, Richard.

Permalink Reply by djordje on May 8, 2016 at 5:15am