CgTalk Maxscript Challenge 014: “Spider Web”
DESCRIPTION: Create a spider web tool. This can be as simple or complex as you like.
DEADLINE: 05/12/2006
RULES:
[ul]
[li]NEW RULE: Do NOT post your code until the deadline![/li][li]Code from scratch. Try not to use pre-exisitng functions or plugins.[/li][li]Show your script references, if any (eg. Looking at another script to assist you).[/li][li]You are encouraged to ask for help where needed, but try to do it on your own. The maxscript reference is an invaluable resource.[/li][li]Post your final script inside [/li]“`
tags (located on your posting toolbar).
[li]Post all code into THIS thread.[/li][li]Post the max version you coded in, plus any maxscript extensions you used. (Thanks galagast!)[/li][li]Try to finish the challenge in a week. There is no definite time limit.[/li][/ul]NOTES: Go nuts. This has many possibilities for fun and useful concepts. Go see Charlotte’s Web while you’re at it.
sounds cool I will look at that and see if I can figure anything out.
good idea!
i hope i’ll find the time to participate this time.
Me too, I’m still trying to find a solution for the winding order of the anchor points. Anyone figure that out yet?
I’ve got a couple of ideas about that, but i’ve yet to implement them. I’ll post my thoughts when i’ve had a thorough investigation.
One method I was thinking of in regards to the winding was to keep an array of every vertex (or knot) in the web “skeleton” (ie. the thing holding it up), then feed the netting in concentric circles across each vertex array. You might need to watch a youTube of a spider to get what I mean.
Note to self: Remember to use updateShape() when working with splines. :surprised
too bad i’m got a damm cold these day. it might be an interessting challenge even if spline inc is a bit of black magic for me ( for now)-
But ,tought of something , ( brain still working whatever i do …)
could it be efficient to use a mesh as a template for the knot?
ie. using a geosphere, takeing the pos coordonate of vertice and use it to put knot or maybe an image. i remember a tut by bobo that create cube depending of pixel color
something like this
--some kind of pseudo-code
whitecolor = false
blackcolor = true
while pixelColor = true do
(
helper position.pixelcolor.pos
)
and then according to the set of helper create a line that goe trough all of them?
i hope its not to stupid if so, lets say my brain was hack by virus
I need to work on some spline tools anyway so I’m in this one!
Excellent …
I wish I had time to participate (this one I have to give a go later). My thoughts so far on the subject:
-
I want to start with a selection of vertexes as “fix points” for the web, so it does not fall to the ground. Not quite sure how many fixpoints a real spider makes? hm, something to look into.
-
In stead of straight lines, I want (if possible) to find a way to make them curve a bit “down” … have to check how to control the bezier curve of a line. Ideally it should take gravity into consideration?
-
I also want to make some dew-drops randomly. Hm…
-
Finally it would be cool if the web could be transferred to a b/w texture so that it could be used as texture/shadow map/opacity map or similar.
Man, I wish I had the time (and more scripting skills )
Great to see the interest this time around.
How are we all going? I’ve got the basic tool down, but it’s going to need a lot more work!