@database "tools.guide"
Copyright (c) 1993 Realsoft Ky, Vilppula, Finland
All Rights Reserved
@master "real.guide"
@index "r3d2:help/index.guide/main"
@Remark $VER: tools.guide 2.20 (20.03.93)
@Remark AmigaGuide database for the Real 3D
@Node Main "tools.guide"
@toc "r3d2:help/real.guide/main"
SPECIAL TOOLS
These tools can be accessed by loading the environment SpecialTools from
the drawer Environments with the function `Environment/Insert`.
The window consists of a set of custom gadgets bound to RPL files found
in the Macros drawer. When any of the gadgets is activated, the
corresponding RPL program is executed.
All these tools are completely implemented using RPL, and are provided
also for demonstration purposes. Please feel free to make any improvements
and changes so they suit your needs.
The Special Tools window consists of the following gadgets:
@{" ModifyCOGs " Link "ModifyCOGs"}
@{" ModifyACs " Link "ModifyACs"}
@{" ModifyNL " Link "ModifyNL"}
@{" FontLoader " Link "FontLoader"}
@{" MeshToSph " Link "MeshToSph"}
@{" KeyFramer " Link "KeyFramer"}
@EndNode
@Node "ModifyCOGs"
MODIFY/COGs
DESCRIPTION
This is a file-bind gadget which means that whenever it is hit,
the corresponding RPL program `ModifyCOGs` is executed from the
`Macros` drawer. The RPL program simply defines a set of RPL
words and loads a new Tool window whose gadgets are bound to
defined words.
The gadgets in the loaded Tool window correspond to the functions
in the menu Modify/COGs.
@EndNode
@Node "ModifyACs"
MODIFY/ABOUT COGs
DESCRIPTION
Loads a new Tool window from the drawer Environments and defines
a set of RPL words which correspond to the functions in the menu
Modify/About COGs. The gadgets in the window are bound to those
words.
@EndNode
@Node "ModifyNL"
MODIFY/NONLINEAR/MOVE
DESCRIPTION
This function opens a Tool window which allows you to execute
Modify/Nonlinear/Move functions. The gadgets in the window define
the type of the control curve to be used.
@EndNode
@Node "FontLoader"
FONT LOADER
DESCRIPTION
This function loads a new Tool window `FontLoader` from the
Environment drawer and defines a set of RPL words referred by
gadgets.
FontDrawer
This gadget allows you to define the drawer from where
the objects are loaded.
FontLoader
This gadget opens a string requester asking the user to
type string. The function loops through entered characters
and attempts to load objects of that name.
If the character in question is not capital, the prefix `_`
is added to it. Hence the string `Hello` attempts to
load the following objects:
H _e _l _l _o
Objects are positioned according their COGs and the
distance between subsequent objects are determined
by object sizes.
USAGE
1. Click the gadget `FontLoader`
2. Click the gadget FontDrawer and select the AmigaDOS drawer
from which you would like to `multi` load your objects.
3. Click the gadget FontLoader and enter the string to be loaded.
@EndNode
@Node "MeshToSph"
MESH TO SPHERES
DESCRIPTION
This tool allows you to build up a skeletonal object where a large
number of spheres are controlled by freeform skeleton.
The function takes one or more freeform meshes and creates a
given number of spheres which are evenly distributed over the
mesh. Also, the hierarchy required for skeletonal control is
automatically built up so that when you modify the mesh, all
spheres are modified as well.
EXAMPLE
1. Create one freeform mesh (like a human head).
2. Click the button MeshToSph and define the size and the number
of spheres to be created.
3. Render the scene.
Modify the mesh (stretch, bend, etc), refresh the animation
system by selecting the menu Animate/Refresh and render the
scene again. Spheres are automatically pulled on to the stretched
mesh.
NOTE
The spheres are created as `wire frame invisible` in order to save
memory. The freeform mesh is made RT-invisible so that when
the scene is rendered, only the spheres can be seen.
@EndNode
@Node "KEYFRAMER"
KEY FRAMER
DESCRIPTION
This example provides you with a simple icon based key
framing interface.
The function loads a small Tool window, from the Environments
drawer, which contains the following gadgets:
KF_Start This gadgets starts the key framing sequence. The
current situation is considered as the first key
frame.
KF_Rec This creates a new key frame object.
KF_End This stops the key frame sequence.
KF_Help Activates this help.
>> Play forwards
>| Go to end
<< Play backwards
|< Go to beginning
This tool window allows you to modify the target object of the
@{"MORPHING" Link "r3d2:help/real.guide/MORPHING OPEN"} method and copies it to be the new key frame object every
time you click the button KF_Rec. The first key frame object is
created when your start the keyframing sequence by clicking the
button KF_Start.
EXAMPLE
1. Click the gadget `KeyFramer`. This loads the key framing
window and defines all required words referred to by the
gadgets.
2. Select objects to be animated and click KF_Start.
3. Select some modify functions and modify objects.
4. Click the gadget KF_Rec.
5. Modify, click KF_Rec, modify, click etc. until all keyframe
objects have been created.
6. Click KF_End
7. Play the animation by clicking >>.
@EndNode