Simviation Forum - FSDS question

Aug 27^th, 2004 at 1:33pm

FSEdge Offline
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Texas

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Which tools do you guys use most frequently when working with FSDS?

Also, could someone post a screen shot of the main user interface. Or better yet do a high-resolution shot and email it to me.

I am writing several MAXScripts to mimic some of the ways FSDS creates objects and also altering the Gmax GUI to loosely resemble the GUI of FSDS 1X. I have FSDS 1X and that's what I am currently basing the tools on. So, if there are any major changes from 1X to 2X please let me know. It could possibly save me from having to re-write some of the code. I should probably go buy FSDS 2, but it would just sit on my HD and not be used after this project is done and that would be a waist of money. Roll Eyes

Since I don’t use FSDS I will be in the need for FSDS user who have two or more years experience working in the package and wanting to learn gmax in addition to knowing FSDS.

Should you be interested, send me an email through my profile here, and a short note on your FSDS history. As soon as I have enough of a new GUI to release, I will send it out for beta testing.

The task is in its early stages for now but good progress has been made on Items such as New Box creation and other primitives as well. I am trying my best create the tools to be as close as they can.

Thanks for your time.

FSEdge

FSAlpha

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Reply #1 - Aug 27^th, 2004 at 1:53pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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I got your request and I'll send you an FSDS1 vs FSDS2 comparison.

A couple of the main features that I would suggest is the

Part->Center axis to part (gmax: hierarchy->affect pivot only->center to object)

Part->reset axis rotation (gmax: hierarchy->affect pivot only->align to world)

A very important step was made with your tagtool scripts.

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #2 - Aug 27^th, 2004 at 2:39pm

FSEdge Offline
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Texas

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Hi Felix,

Quote:

Part->Center axis to part (gmax: hierarchy->affect pivot only->center to object)

Part->reset axis rotation (gmax: hierarchy->affect pivot only->align to world)

If I understand your suggestion, there needs to be a one or two button process that eliminates the need to open the Hierarchy tab and perform the actions above?

FSEdge

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Reply #3 - Aug 27^th, 2004 at 2:56pm

pete Offline
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I certainly know that I & a few others prefer FSDS. It's a question of how your brain works at the end of the day. There are obviously those who prefer GMax.. but I've completely given up on several projects because I didn't feel that FSDS gave us the options that gmax gave us - such as hole(window) cut outs ..

If there was anything that would make GMax a more FSDS styled utility I for one would be more than interested!

Think Global. It's the world we live in.

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Reply #4 - Aug 27^th, 2004 at 3:06pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Quote:

Hi Felix,

If I understand your suggestion, there needs to be a one or two button process that eliminates the need to open the Hierarchy tab and perform the actions above?

FSEdge

Personally, *I* don't think that would be absolutely necessary, although useful.

I would rather see the basic key commands "M" for select and move "R" for select and rotate, "S" for select and non-uniform scale. At the same time "<F8> for vertex sub-object; <F7> for polygon sub-object and <F5> for element sub-object (I have my personal preference for going to the element sub-object rather than returning to the top level part).

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #5 - Aug 28^th, 2004 at 10:38am

FSEdge Offline
Colonel
Texas

Posts: 203

Quote:

If there was anything that would make GMax a more FSDS styled utility I for one would be more than interested!

Hi Pete,

So I can add you to the Beta testing list? Grin

Quote:

I would rather see the basic key commands "M" for select and move "R" for select and rotate, "S" for select and non-uniform scale. At the same time "<F8> for vertex sub-object; <F7> for polygon sub-object and <F5> for element sub-object (I have my personal preference for going to the element sub-object rather than returning to the top level part).

Hi Felix,

Are these the default keyboard shortcuts, or they your personal ones?

FSEdge

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Reply #6 - Aug 28^th, 2004 at 12:44pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Quote:

Hi Felix,

Are these the default keyboard shortcuts, or they your personal ones?

FSEdge

Those are the default keyboard shortcuts in FSDS1 and 2.

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #7 - Aug 28^th, 2004 at 5:19pm

pete Offline
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Quote:

Hi Pete,

So I can add you to the Beta testing list?

.... errrmmm .. yup .. definately!

I'm surprised more people haven't responded .... There has been so much over time about this topic that people who are here on the forums today have talked about ....... Roll Eyes

folk huh !! Grin

Think Global. It's the world we live in.

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Reply #8 - Aug 28^th, 2004 at 5:44pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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The one thing I would like to see in gmax, that I haven't figured out yet, is, in cross section mode <F9>,

Cross Section -> copy to template
(gmax equivalent is to "Create shape from selected")

but then, moving to another cross-section within the structured object and
Cross Section-> Conform to template
which takes the current cross section and reshapes it to the saved template from step 1, above.

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #9 - Aug 29^th, 2004 at 12:09am

FSEdge Offline
Colonel
Texas

Posts: 203

Quote:

I'm surprised more people haven't responded .... There has been so much over time about this topic that people who are here on the forums today have talked about ....... Roll Eyes

I would have to agree with you Pete. I thought by offering to let FSDS users email directly to me about beta testing this would move along better. So far I've had only one offer via email. I guess you Pete, Felix and (Name with held) are the only three interested. Sad

I'll continue to work on it for you guys, but I am not sure now if I want to release it to the public since no one seems interested. Wink

Quote:

The one thing I would like to see in gmax, that I haven't figured out yet, is, in cross section mode <F9>,

Cross Section -> copy to template
(gmax equivalent is to "Create shape from selected")

but then, moving to another cross-section within the structured object and
Cross Section-> Conform to template
which takes the current cross section and reshapes it to the saved template from step 1, above.

Intriguing idea,

My first thought that comes to mind, would be using a Path Deform modifier. I’ll give it a try and see if the results workout.

Coding a tool for this purpose might be beyond my scope at the moment. I'll have to research what can be done if anything at all. The resources I have are pretty good, so I should be able to at least get either yes it can, no it can't answer.

I really appreciate all the input on this project.

Thanks a million.

FSEdge

FSAlpha

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