Bend Tool selection names is confusing

[Fonte Boa]

For now, i'll just show some results by Bend | Plastic Bend: there are many Bend aspects about what i definitely am not an expert. The following one is just to show that "twisted" aspect Paul suggested. And it is very fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f4uC67kZ...e=youtu.be

[puzzledpaul]

Some ponderings

(Rod Centre)
Bend Null Point : This point never moves during Bending.

(Rod Top)
Bend Angle Control Point : This point determines the Bend angle (from Null point) displayed during Bending.

Bend Normal : A vector that passes through the centre of the finished Bend.

(Top Clamp point)
First Clamp Point : This point defines the first boundary between bent / unbent object.

(Bottom Clamp point)
Second Clamp Point : This point defines the second boundary between bent / unbent object.

Pivot Axis : The axis around which a bend is created.

Pivot Axis Centre : The point through which the pivot axis passes.

For TopRad

(Rod Top)
Bend Angle Control Point : This point determines the Bend angle (from Null point) displayed during Bending. Its distance from the Null Point also specifies the inner bend radius.

Just for discussion purposes - any other ideas /mods / suggestions ... write 'em down.

Gotta bear in mind that if changes are made to the 'names' then all existing tuts will be out of date. Adding info (lots of space on info line atm) ... without name changes will improve the situation without those hassles

pp

[oort]

puzzledpaul,
Those names sound pretty good to me.

I have however noticed that when using Bend Clamped the "Center Point"/"Bend Null Point" edgeloop does not remain stationary and rotates with the whole mesh as you adjust the angle. At least it does this when the "Bend Null Point" is not in the center of the clamped area.

Wouldn't it be better if the mesh and Bend Null Point edgeloop did not move? I noticed that this happens in other advanced MMB RMB Bends as well. Maybe it is logical for it to be the way it works now but it feels strange to me????

oort

[puzzledpaul]

I have however noticed that when using Bend Clamped the "Center Point"/"Bend Null Point" edgeloop does not remain stationary and rotates with the whole mesh as you adjust the angle.

Yep, have also noticed similar (edges behind a vert) - but only when other parameters chosen during the 'setup' ...esp. bend vector - aren't 'square on'.

I've not seen a situation (yet) however, where the centre / null point (if a vert) moves.

(possibly comes down to the fact that I often use cyl based test pieces - and use verts for all the stages? )

Don't remember seeing the whole rod centre eloop moving during dragging, tho...

Whilst 'better' names will probably help, I reckon good info line text will be even more useful - and there's enough space, imo.

If it appears there are several /many siuations where the whole lot moves, it'll just be a word change from 'never' to 'rarely' or so

pp

[oort]

I just tested with Bend Clamped on a cylinder and using verts and I am still seeing the same behavior. As long as you bend the rod in the middle you do not have the problem.

I agree that the naming you suggested is ok even with this behavior. I was just wondering if this behavior could be prevented...

oort

[puzzledpaul]

Had already started this prior to discussing rod centre / null point movement ... so added here for possible use.
Strip describes a Vert | Bend Clamped (lmb) option.

0 : Shows the basic object being used prior to the op. I've done several things on purpose.
Blue areas are going to be the clamped / unbent part of the object. Note that they're different.
Orange edges have been used to show the Rod Centre (null point) edgeloop - note that this is neither in the centre of the object nor the centre of the region to be bent.
I've also used orange for the (12) axial edges along the cylinder, to (hopefully) clarify the locations used for the various stages of the op. Rod Centre and Rod Top selection points must lie on this orange line unless you want a twisted (and bent) object.

NB. Deliberately mis-aligning Rod Centre / Top points opens up a whole new world of interesting shapes / possibilities - both the RC > RTop distance and their angular misalignment play important roles in the creation of such shapes - experiment

The object is lying on the XZ plane - so it could be argued that words like 'top' and 'bottom' are irrelevant ...


1 : Start Vert | Clamped Bend > Plastic (lmb) ... for Rod Centre, select vert shown (where orange edges intersect)
2 : For Rod Top, select vert shown - note it's only one section away from Rod Centre. This means that the angle displayed (during dragging) in top left info will be the angle between the 2 edgeloops associated with these 2 verts.
3 : For Bend Normal, select vert shown - this particular vector passes through the centre of the finished bend - both before the op. commences and after the op. is finished. This is because it passes through the Rod Centre / Null Point.
Although other elements that produce a similar / parallel vector (eg all the other verts on the straight orange edges [except end ones]) will do the job ... the only time their vectors will pass thro' the bend centre is after bending is complete.
4 : For Top Clamp point, select vert shown - any of the verts (or edges) on that eloop will be ok. Choosing elements that aren't on the same (orange) line as Rod Centre / Top / B. Normal won't matter.
5 : For Bottom Clamp point, select vert shown. Note that the order of specifying clamp points is unimportant.
6, 6a, 7 : Various finished shapes. 6 + 7 were dragged to +15deg and -15deg ...so that's the angle between adjacent eloops. The bold blue right angled lnes in 6 and 7 show that 90 deg is 6 x 15deg segments.

The lower sequence shows that the eloop associated with the Rod Centre vert hasn't moved during the op.
The same shape could be achieved by selecting a Rod Top point anywhere along the straight orange edges (except Rod Centre) ... the only difference would be the drag angle needed (and the maths involved)

Angle displayed = Angle between adjacent segments X Number of segments (between Rod Centre and Rod Top points)

pp


oort - any chance of describing / showing a pic of the w/flow used for behaviour mentioned in #25?

[oort]

puzzledpaul,
I think it is an issue of my method used, maybe because I started using Bend before I started using Bend Clamped...

I have all verts in the object selected to start with.
Then I select a vert at the bottom of the object for Rod Center.
I select any vert on the same edge for Rod Top.
I select any vert on the same edge for Normal.
Then I select a vert on the same edge for Top Clamp Point and Bottom Clamp Point of the area to be bent.

I guess I shouldn't select all verts in the object. I should only select the verts that I want to bend above the part I want to keep straight. This prevents the problem I was having.

Playing with it a bit more... if all verts are selected I need to make sure that either the Top or Bottom Clamp Points is the same as the vert used for Rod Center... That fixes everything.

oort

[puzzledpaul]

Glad you got it sorted

Have to say that whilst I don't have any real issues with Bend, using different cols etc for the various bits, makes it even easier to keep track of what's happening - especially when trying slightly different positions / experimenting.

All verts on the object in my tut were selected, btw.

pp

[oort]

Looking closer, I can see now that you had all verts selected... These old eyes aren't what they used to be...

oort

[puzzledpaul]

Certainly don't have to talk about 'old' eyes ... I can well remember the days when reading Nos on ICs was a piece of cake ... seeing the chip these days is bad enough

Another problem / issue was that I re-sized the strip 50% linear > 1/4 the orig area ... so edge widths / vert sizes ended up being different from the optimum ... for final size used.

pp