Wall Worm Forums

Design Tools => Commercial Tools => Topic started by: wallworm on August 06, 2014, 09:12:29 PM

Title: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on August 06, 2014, 09:12:29 PM
There is now a general purpose toolset called Normal Tools (http://dev.wallworm.com/topic/68/normal_tools.html). Get your copy now with the introductory sale!

The tools give you some new ways to edit the normal on your objects. This toolset is not just for Wall Worm, but for anyone who edits normal data a lot with the Edit Normals modifier.

Along with this tool comes another update to Wall Worm's SMD exporter to optimize Explicit Normals exporting as well as fixing a bug with the Explicit Normals + Rotated settings in WW. Yes, for those who did not know, Source supports normal editing that isn't derived simply from smoothing groups. I think it was an unknown for a long time because the legacy SMD exporters did not handle edited normal.

I will be releasing a video soon detailing the functions in the new tool. Until then, use the docs linked above.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on August 14, 2014, 12:35:12 AM
Updated today to fix a bug with modified objects not aligned to world. And added a new normal function.

Also:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Zxzq49wCg
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: Joris Ceoen on August 15, 2014, 04:12:37 PM
This looks really interesting. If you hadn't told me before that Source did support the custom normals then I wouldn't have known it either until seeing the post before. The video demonstrates it really well, I think it could help me greatly for my cathedral!
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on March 25, 2015, 01:04:07 PM
Normal Tools 1.2 Released today. Added two new functions: Out From Pivot and Out From Center.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on April 03, 2015, 02:01:44 PM
Normal Tools 1.3 is out. Adds a Random Deviation function. Here's a new video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0351oC3SQQ
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on November 24, 2015, 03:34:54 PM
Version 1.4 is now out. Please see the updated docs on Normal Tools (http://dev.wallworm.com/topic/68/normal_tools.html).

Updated features:

Version 1.4

   * Added five new functions for aligning normals based on elements: Element Pivot Out, Element Base Out and Element Bottom Out, Element Vert Nearest Pivot Out and Element Vert Nearest Center Out.

   * Added new button to select all normals in same elements as currently selected normals.

   * Added three new Macroscripts: Select Element Normals, Select Border Normals and Select Border Normals from Selection.

   * Changed Normal Tools floater to require the new Macroscripts to be installed.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on November 29, 2015, 10:47:49 PM
Version 1.41

   * Fixed bug with picking normals from face.
   
   * Updated the Edit Normals modifier detection to do a class lookup instead of a modifier stack name lookup. This stops the tool from creating a new Edit Normals modifier on objects when the Edit Normals modifier was renamed.
   
   * Added last-scroll position to UI preferences.
   
Version 1.42

   * Fixed bug with randomizing the normals.

Version 1.43

   * Added new Stitch function to average normals from colocated vertices.
   
   * Added new custom attribute that gets added to any Edit Normals modifier when using the Normal Tools. The custom attribute includes many functions found in the Normal Tools floater.

   * Converted several of the functions to Macroscripts so that you can bind them to keyboard shortcuts.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on December 01, 2015, 04:27:36 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmTVFROfvSo

Version 1.45

   * Added ability to select Normals based on the face Smoothing Groups and the Face Material IDs.
   
   * Added buttons to select normals based on being Explicit or Not.

Version 1.44

   * Added new Stitch stitch threshhold setting in the Stitch tools (both in the Normal Tools floater and in the Edit Normals custom attribute).
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on February 18, 2016, 10:59:16 AM
Version 1.47

   * Added new Pivot Node button into main Normal Tools UI and into the Normal Tools custom attribute. Allows setting arbitrary origin of normal vectors.
   
   * Added Undo to some functions that did not have it.
   
   * Added Pivot Offset settings in the Normal Tools rollout of an Edit Normals modifier.
   
   * Updated global Normal Tools UI to save last Normal Selection Apply-To state.

NOTE. I loaded 1.46 earlier but loaded 1.47 within an hour, so combining their changelog.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on June 06, 2016, 11:41:12 AM
Version 1.48 Adds a couple functions for flipping face normals out from object center or pivot.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: mattisaac on September 01, 2016, 06:34:28 AM
Hi, I've just purchased your Normal Tools for 3ds max and it's great but I was wondering if it's possible to do the following in the tool?

I have a strip of polygons, here they are with reset normals:

(https://www.wallworm.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYLSP2Ra.jpg&hash=5a0a853521a3549cf2770a0837dbc24bf43ed96c)

What I want to do is make the normals point in the direction of the flow of the polygon strip. I guess point to the next normal from a starting location would be fine as well. Ideally they would follow the edges of the polygon.

(https://www.wallworm.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fyo4mm2M.jpg&hash=a382d26c5899c35e9851dd9825241be4fce65cb6)

The closest I can get is by using Elements Out From Base which seems to go half way there, but I have to edit it by hand afterwards to get what I'm looking for:


(https://www.wallworm.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0IoVjZq.jpg&hash=6dfb092338e816ed760e2834c77362c2575e1ec7)

Which is this basically. Is there a way that you know of that can reproduce the last image?

Thanks for any help.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on September 01, 2016, 09:45:34 AM
Thanks for buying Normal Tools!

I don't have a function specifically for that, but I can add such a feature. I'll look into adding it within the week.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: mattisaac on September 01, 2016, 10:05:41 AM
Awesome thanks!
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on February 28, 2017, 04:41:59 PM
Version 1.49

   * Added new setting to automatically apply the Normal Tools custom attribute to any Edit Normals modifier added in the scene. This function can be turned on/off in the Normal Tools floater.
   
   * Updated the Normal Tools Custom Attribute to use an AttribID to reduce file size and make it easier to get updated functions in the custom attributes as the Normal Tools are updated.
   
   * Updated button functions in the Normal Tools custom attribute to check and see if the Normal Tools are installed before trying to run a function or macroscript. This removed MAXScript errors when sharing files with those who do not have the Normal Tools installed.
   
   * Added new Manual group of functions to manually set the normals in the Normal Tools custom attribute.
   
   * Added new setting in custom attribute that allows controlling whether the selection functions will replace the current selection, append to current selection or remove from the current selection.
   
   * Changed default Apply To setting to All Normals.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on March 20, 2017, 03:06:19 PM
Version 1.5

   * Added new Out From Normal Selection Center function in the Normal Tools custom attribute. This function well set the out from point to the center of the currently selected normals. This function was added to the Edit Normals custom attribute but not the global Normal Tools floater.
   
   * Added new Out From Selection Center for the Face Normals functions in the Normal Tools floater. This will flip normals of selected faces that are pointing towards the selected faces' center. This function converts objects to Editable Poly and is not part of the standard Edit Normal tools in the Normal Tools.
   
   * Updated the Stitch Colocated Normals to work faster.
   
   * Added Unify checkbox for stitch functions. When on, replicated the Unify function in the main Edit Normals modifier except it will filter results based on the Apply To option as well as the Skip Explicit Option. The unify option is on by default.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: tuxmask75 on October 27, 2018, 07:58:12 PM
Heya! Great tool been using it for some months now.
I was wondering if there are any plans to add an Undo functionality to the tool? Im using 3ds Max 2015. Also wondering if there is a way to use edge selection to select normal?
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on October 27, 2018, 09:57:05 PM
Thanks for buying WW tools :)

I will certainly add edge selection support in an update (can't promise an exact date).

As for Undo, it has been a common request. Unfortunately, there is a limitation in the MAXScript implementation of access to Undo with some scripted functions for normal editing. I've added the standard code for this in the past and it simply doesn't work. I will try to pull some strings with the Max devs to add support for this but even if that happens I'm pretty certain they won't add it into Max 2015. If it ends up working, you'd probably only benefit in a future Max version. In any event, I will let you know when I have more information on this.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: Joris Ceoen on October 28, 2018, 07:22:29 AM
Quote from: tuxmask75 on October 27, 2018, 07:58:12 PM
Im using 3ds Max 2015. Also wondering if there is a way to use edge selection to select normal?
If you're using a student version of 3DS Max, it's really just a great idea to upgrade to the latest version!
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: tuxmask75 on October 28, 2018, 10:55:02 AM
Quote from: wallworm on October 27, 2018, 09:57:05 PM
Thanks for buying WW tools :)

I will certainly add edge selection support in an update (can't promise an exact date).

As for Undo, it has been a common request. Unfortunately, there is a limitation in the MAXScript implementation of access to Undo with some scripted functions for normal editing. I've added the standard code for this in the past and it simply doesn't work. I will try to pull some strings with the Max devs to add support for this but even if that happens I'm pretty certain they won't add it into Max 2015. If it ends up working, you'd probably only benefit in a future Max version. In any event, I will let you know when I have more information on this.
Best of luck on them string pulls ! and looking forwards to any new updates !

Quote from: Joris Ceoen on October 28, 2018, 07:22:29 AM
Quote from: tuxmask75 on October 27, 2018, 07:58:12 PM
Im using 3ds Max 2015. Also wondering if there is a way to use edge selection to select normal?
If you're using a student version of 3DS Max, it's really just a great idea to upgrade to the latest version!
I have a Perpetual license, I don't like the new licensing system they forced on our heads, 4,000 for just 3 years? ouch!  Eventually I'll have to make the dive but I'm holding off on that for as long as possible.

Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: tuxmask75 on November 01, 2018, 03:09:41 PM
Ok I have a Question here.
After adding the normal tools modifier and adjusting some normals, I collapsing the stack to make it into an edit poly, and noticed that I'm not able to add a new edit poly to stack and keep the adjusted normals. (even after applying a reset Xform.)

After doing the above, I select vertex or other edit modes like polygon, or edge mode, I can still see the normal tools as part of the edit poly options in the panel .( shouldn't it be gone?) also is there any way to bake the normals to the mesh so that they can pass up the stack for the new edit poly modifier?
( Note: I can add an edit Mesh to the stack and it keeps my normals, but I don't use that for modeling. )

Shown below is the Normal Tools inside the collapsed edit polly.
(https://i.imgur.com/k71nkug.png)
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on November 01, 2018, 03:23:37 PM
So the Edit Poly modifier, unfortunately, destroys explicit normals. This is a problem in many of the modifiers inside Max. See the docs on Edit Normals Modifier (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/3DSMax-Modifiers/files/GUID-75F9A187-305A-49D3-8C66-2C28B43E4BBD-htm.html). The Max dev team is aware of this limitation in many modifiers.  You could always start an idea to ask for support for this on the Autodesk Ideas page (https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-ideas/idb-p/164) to try and spur development in this regard.

As for the Normal Tools rollout being in the editable poly. That is just because the Normal TOols rollout is a custom attribute. When Max collapses the stack it keeps the custom attributes. Luckily, it simply means that the Normal Tools will suddenly become available inside the modify tab of the object. So at that point, if you click a function, it will simply add an edit normal modifier and run the function.
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: tuxmask75 on November 01, 2018, 03:29:31 PM
Quote from: wallworm on November 01, 2018, 03:23:37 PM
So the Edit Poly modifier, unfortunately, destroys explicit normals. This is a problem in many of the modifiers inside Max. See the docs on Edit Normals Modifier (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/3DSMax-Modifiers/files/GUID-75F9A187-305A-49D3-8C66-2C28B43E4BBD-htm.html). The Max dev team is aware of this limitation in many modifiers.  You could always start an idea to ask for support for this on the Autodesk Ideas page (https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-ideas/idb-p/164) to try and spur development in this regard.

As for the Normal Tools rollout being in the editable poly. That is just because the Normal TOols rollout is a custom attribute. When Max collapses the stack it keeps the custom attributes. Luckily, it simply means that the Normal Tools will suddenly become available inside the modify tab of the object. So at that point, if you click a function, it will simply add an edit normal modifier and run the function.


Thank you very much for the quick response !
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: tuxmask75 on December 03, 2018, 06:56:05 PM
Quick Question, Any way to view a selected normal's rotation? If not, than is it possible to add that to the tool?
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: wallworm on December 07, 2018, 09:23:20 AM
So you mean to display the currently selected normal's vector? The normals only store a normal (normalized vector) but do not store rotation values. Is this what you would like to see?
Title: Re: Normal Tools
Post by: tuxmask75 on December 07, 2018, 10:42:03 AM
Actually yeah that could be cool, but ehh, now that you mention that it only stores the normalized vector, than it may not be so useful in the end afterall. I was hoping to be able to view the data broken down as X,Y,and Z value, and than select another normal, and manually type in lets say the X, Y or Z axis values separately Basicly a method, to have complete controls over the normals. (If for example I was happy with the X and Z rotation , but only needed to effect the Y axis)