CompuServe Thread

#3D Studio from AutoSurf

5 messages in this thread
#134282From: Aaron SilverNov 8, 1994 7:45 AM
Help! I'm trying to take information from AutoSurf/AutoCAD 12 to 3D Studio via AutoVision. However the poly mesh unhide does not produce very good geometry to render. Anyone come across this? Any suggestions? Seems it should do a better job than what is does – are there some optimum settings I should be tring to use? I need an easy solution if possible since this is for rapid prototyping of parts. I'd be glad to send renderings of what we got if that will help. Thanks!
#134340From: yann bertaudNov 8, 1994 11:39 AM
Aaron, I deal with autosurf models everyday and have found the same problem with the meshing algorithm. The only work around I can give you is to decrease your mesh density or display tolerance. By default the display tolerance is set to .005, setting it to a smaller number creates a denser mesh, which often looks better (when rendered). The drawback though, is that you are increasing your face count, which increases your rendering time. I am trying to work on a lisp routine which will create nice even meshes out of autosurf surfaces. I haven't actually started on it. But I have a few good ideas and some code already written that I use for other routines. I just need to sit down and put the stuff together. BTW, you should have posted your message in the acad forum. The asoft forum is devoted entirely to 3d studio and animator pro. The Acad forum is AutoCAD, Autosurf, Designer, AME, Autovision and other related AutoCAD add ons.
#135014From: Michael E BartlettNov 10, 1994 6:00 PM
While your at it figure out a way to automatically get the diagonal edge between two faces to come in with the edge invisible. Seems like the old AME models would come in without every edge being visible. <g>
#135243From: yann bertaudNov 11, 1994 12:38 PM
>>While your at it figure out a way to automatically get the diagonal edge between two faces to come in with the edge invisible. That is also part of my plan, basically what my routine will do is build a new mesh with either the 3dmesh command or most likely the pface command (if I have the patience to figure out the vertex ordering and stuff). Don't hold your breath on this though. I haven't really worked on it for a while. I've built some parts of it which work independently, but it is still pretty complicated to figure out and put togetther in one neat routine, as there are steps in between which I have to do manually and haven't figured out how to automate. There are a lot of different possibilities with Autosurf surfaces, and I need to figure them out. Yann Bertaud – Marketing Support, Autodesk
#135315From: Michael E BartlettNov 11, 1994 5:37 PM
My hat's off to you for trying, and to all the other programmers who built these tools. I draw the line when it comes to programming. I make images not programs. In fact as I read through the R4 manual I started to think that Yost when off to Planet X and forgot that we lowly earthlings didn't come along. <G> I wish you good luck with the lisp routine, AutoSurf is a great tool with lots of possibilities, I just have never understood why Autodesk has never found a way to more seamlessly interface the product lines. Michael B. – AEtherium Visions