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Is there a quick way to convert these point cloud instances to poly mesh so they can be exported to different apps?

There are alerady some tools to convert a point cloud to a mesh object :

http://www.si-community.com/community/v ... =15&t=1579 (it's free)
or
LKL Mesher : "Turns any pointcloud into a mesh with control over resolution and instance-meshes." (http://leonardkoch.com/lklightning2-0changelog)

Hi,

with this technique, is it possible to place lights along curves as well? So far, I can't get the compound to pick up on something other than mesh objects or nulls.

-Jasper

Hello,

Yes you can place lights along curves.
It work like other objects, even if lights are displayed with nulls.

I tried and it doesn't work, could that be due to me not using mental ray? I'm rendering with redshift (and using redshift lights).

It's possible but I can't test it now.
Could you test it in mental ray first and then with redshift ?

Hi julca, I'll do a test next week, won't be back at my computer till then. Thanks for the replies.

Hi Julien,

back once more with a question (I hope you still visit this forum...): can your addon also work without creating subcurves/pointclouds first? I have a curve that is extracted from a series of polyislands, so when i run 'instance on curve', I get a whole bunch of subcurves with a pointcloud each. Then, when i want to do further work on the created instances and transfer the result (through Alembic) to Clarisse, I have to first merge all the pointclouds. In my case, it's hundreds of subcurves/pointclouds and I have to do a clone point on each one.

If it would be possible to have just one pointcloud created by your addon that would help me tremendously! Or ofcourse, a way to transfer the data from all of those pointclouds into one efficiently would be great as well.

Thanks,
Jasper

Hi japser,
You can iterate trough subcurve in ice directly

Here's a reworked powerextrude tool for generating instances on curves and subcurves

you need two things
1. run NNcurveTool.js or install it and access it via "Model->Modify->Curve->NN Curve Tools->Generate Data provider"
2. use the compound provided "NN Generate On Curve" this will generate instances, points etc (even strands) with various control over them
https://www.dropbox.com/s/03lafnc6xcx0ea5/NN_Generate_On_Curve_1.7.zip?dl=0

cheers

humm now i think about it i might have on time generated another compound for a project based on the hardcoded "Get Position on Curve" from EM tools wayyy faster !

Hello Jasper,

I'm sorry but this addon doesn't work with merged curves.
But I'm pretty sure there is a way to capture all point cloud generated data into one big other.
I didn't have time to look at this right now but if you still follow this way let me now if you can't do it.

Friendly.

Hi Julca, thanks for the answer, I'm trying out NNois's idea, hope it will work.

NNois, thanks! I'm not getting everything right yet but the concept is working, all subcurves get instances in one tree.

I'm still up for that wayyyy faster compound, though!

-Jasper

hum, i'm in another world now without softimage... if you can't get this one right I can boot on windows to dig and try to find this one

NNois, I think i'm doing something wrong with your script - I keep getting a 'could not find node: NN Curve Tool Data Provider' message, nor a menu entry for NN Curve Tools.

The instancer does work though, but only in 'evenly spaced - fixed' mode.

How do I install the .js? That would likely fix that?

yes this will fix that.
Just install it in your workgroup in Workgroup/name/Application/Plugins/nnCurveTool.js

then restart soft it will show up

Thanks NNois, that works - it gives the menu and I can generate the data on the curve. So far, i'm still not getting anything useful besides the 'evenly spaced - fixed' mode though. In 'per span' nothing happens and in 'evenly spaced - spacing ratio' I see random isolated instances popping up, about four or five here and there, no matter how I set the values, or with which curves I try it.