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Hi Paul,

I am working with C:\Program Files\GRAPHISOFT\ArchiCAD 16\ArchiCAD Library 16
This PLN (zip) is a file that opens without the textures.
Do you also want the other file that does not open with the csv used for scattering?
greetings, Jeroen

Thanks Jeroen - that file will be enough for the moment - I will investigate tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

Paul

Hi Paul,

Right now the proxy always starts at 0,0,0
does not matter where the AC object is located.
I think that works OK when using generate scattering by using a mesh.

But when using a csv file I don't get the result I am looking for. I made a simple csv file for 4 objects in a row rotated (y-axis) on the spot.
I know this is discussed in an earlier post... and what again is the reason for always starting at 0,0,0?

I am thinking of a solution to this... maybe if you are able to use the object coordinate and transposition the proxy to the AC object location?
I informed at the Dutch Archicad distributor and I cannot 'read'the coordinates of an object at this moment. They will ask the GDL developers if it is possible to add it to the scheme lists and they will get back to me.
But... there is one tool (*) that has the coordinates of a position: Can you do something with that object?

Another solution would be (like in the standalone) is to have another node for translation,
to move the total scattering... maybe even use the coordinate-tool (*) to do that!

greetz, Jeroen

Hi Paul,
Great to see the scattering works also on non-rectangular meshes
Wholes in the meshes is not possible. Yet
I notices when assigning proxies to the meshes (wuith wholes) it firstly misplaces the proxies,
but after refresh geometry it corrects itself to the rigth place.
greetings, Jeroen

I know this is discussed in an earlier post... and what again is the reason for always starting at 0,0,0?

I am thinking of a solution to this... maybe if you are able to use the object coordinate and transposition the proxy to the AC object location?
I informed at the Dutch Archicad distributor and I cannot 'read'the coordinates of an object at this moment. They will ask the GDL developers if it is possible to add it to the scheme lists and they will get back to me.

Hi Jeroen

If there is no scattering file for a proxy, the proxy position is taken from the host object position. If there is a scattering file, the host object position is set to 0,0,0, and any position change needs to be in the scatter transforms. So to move your 4 objects in the example you provided, add the position change to the 4 transforms, or do NOT scatter, and simply proxy 4 object.

It must be this way, otherwise when you scatter 1000 trees, you will have to position the host object to 0,0,0 and people are not going to know to do that, so the plugin must do it.

Also, keep in mind that the plugin is not trying to replace modelling apps or Octane Standalone. It is specifically for architectural visualisations, so the scattering is meant for grass, trees, etc, and I think the current implementation is streamlined for that. But there will always be limits, and if you hit those limits you will need to look at exporting the scene to Standalone.

Paul

face_off wrote:

I know this is discussed in an earlier post... and what again is the reason for always starting at 0,0,0?

I am thinking of a solution to this... maybe if you are able to use the object coordinate and transposition the proxy to the AC object location?
I informed at the Dutch Archicad distributor and I cannot 'read'the coordinates of an object at this moment. They will ask the GDL developers if it is possible to add it to the scheme lists and they will get back to me.

Hi Jeroen

If there is no scattering file for a proxy, the proxy position is taken from the host object position. If there is a scattering file, the host object position is set to 0,0,0, and any position change needs to be in the scatter transforms. So to move your 4 objects in the example you provided, add the position change to the 4 transforms, or do NOT scatter, and simply proxy 4 object.

It must be this way, otherwise when you scatter 1000 trees, you will have to position the host object to 0,0,0 and people are not going to know to do that, so the plugin must do it.

Also, keep in mind that the plugin is not trying to replace modelling apps or Octane Standalone. It is specifically for architectural visualisations, so the scattering is meant for grass, trees, etc, and I think the current implementation is streamlined for that. But there will always be limits, and if you hit those limits you will need to look at exporting the scene to Standalone.

Paul

Hi Paul,
Yes, I totally follow you
I needed to get my brains in oreder again why and how it is as it is now.
And you are right.. It does not have to be the same as in Standalone... I was to conservative on that
This way of having the csv to the origin has also a nice workflow in having the possibilty of making a csv with coordinates
And in the example of the 4 in a row located it is also easy to add the coordinates in the csv if ever necessary, which probably will be seldom.
Indeed, the scattering is probably mostly used for grass, pebbles, forest.. And indeed Archicad is an architectural modeler, so the focus is logically to that.
This plugin is such a mayor mayor step being able to do stuff fromout Archicad that was only to be dreamt of, and you made it real cannot say enough: you're the bomb
Greetz, Jeroen

rappet wrote:Hi Paul,
Great to see the scattering works also on non-rectangular meshes
Wholes in the meshes is not possible. Yet
I notices when assigning proxies to the meshes (wuith wholes) it firstly misplaces the proxies,
but after refresh geometry it corrects itself to the rigth place.
greetings, Jeroen

Hi Paul,
In additon of this issue I tested to see if I could work around easily when having wholes and if it will not be possible to scatetr meshes with wholes: I cut the round mesh in half to see what it does when scattering the m seperately. The strange thing is that one half does it correct and the other half scatters in the whole where it should not. Just wanted to let you know.
greetz,

In additon of this issue I tested to see if I could work around easily when having wholes and if it will not be possible to scatetr meshes with wholes: I cut the round mesh in half to see what it does when scattering the m seperately. The strange thing is that one half does it correct and the other half scatters in the whole where it should not. Just wanted to let you know.
greetz,

There is some complex code to detect holes in meshes in ArchiCAD, and I thought I would simplify the "scattering" routine by ignoring the holes, but clearly that will not work I'll look into this.

Paul

In additon of this issue I tested to see if I could work around easily when having wholes and if it will not be possible to scatetr meshes with wholes: I cut the round mesh in half to see what it does when scattering the m seperately. The strange thing is that one half does it correct and the other half scatters in the whole where it should not. Just wanted to let you know.

I have looked into this some more. I wonder if your issue is that the OBJ geometry is not centered (ie. 0, 0, 0 point of the OBJ is not at the centre of the OBJ mesh) - so it is appearing offset. I have a grass patch OBJ, and 0, 0, 0 is at the far left, meaning the grass is offset to the right when rendering.

Also, I noticed if you create a mesh with a hole, then create another mesh in the hole, they both get the same ID, which confuses the plugin. In this case, manually change the second mesh ID.

I have found a small issue, which I will post an update for, which may resolve some of your "proxy info not saving" issue.

Paul

face_off wrote:

In additon of this issue I tested to see if I could work around easily when having wholes and if it will not be possible to scatetr meshes with wholes: I cut the round mesh in half to see what it does when scattering the m seperately. The strange thing is that one half does it correct and the other half scatters in the whole where it should not. Just wanted to let you know.

Would it be possible to send me that mesh pls Jeroen. I cannot replicate the problem.

Paul

Hi Paul,
Yes I will send you an email asap.
Greetz, Jeroen