topic Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option in Visualization

Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 11:30:12 GMT

Hello!
I am using Archicad 13 for a couple of months and i have recently discovered its potential to work with imported models from other softwares like Rhino or Cinema 4D. I am trying to find a workflow where i can create models in Rhino (and Grasshopper eventually) as complex envelopes/shapes for the exterior of the building and then refine and document the rest of the project within Archicad.
I believe this workflow has`nt been that easy before implementing the Cinema 4D Exchange plugin because of the storysensitive planview issue.
Now i just found out that a 3DS model imported in Archicad when sent to C4D and then back , will become storysensitive wich is great.
The problem is that it looses the "force smooth" property wich the 3DS import has.
My question is what is the workaround to add the smoothness property of the storysensitive object imported from C4D? I mean i would like the uncut surfaces to be seen without those edges of polygons, except for the countours. Just like the 3DS imported object but with cutplane sensitiity.

It has something to do with the 3D script pehaps? Or also in 2D script?

I am not proficient in gdl but i could manage to insert or change some lines.
Thank you !

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:07:38 GMT

I'm not sure about the import/export options/issues, but since it seems you can get the smooth part into ArchiCAD you can make it story sensitive and get the floor plan cutplane(s) correct with a bit of scripting. It's slightly advanced but actaully pretty simple.

Replace the graphic part of 2D script with the Project2 function. (There may be useful hotspots you want to retain.) This will cause the script to use a top view projection of the 3D as the plan symbol.

At the very beginning of the 3D script use:

IF GLOB_CONTEXT = 2 THEN
    addz plan_cut_height    ! derived from global parameters according to your needs
    CUTPLANE    ! in this form it simply cuts away anything above the XY plane
    del 1
ENDIF

The GLOB_CONTEXT condition means it will only run when called from the 2D script. At the end of the script you will need:

IF GLOB_CONTEXT = 2 THEN CUTEND

This ends the cutting plane.

You will also need to calculate the cutting height according to the home story, current story and floor plan cutplane global parameters. There may be a bit more tweaking to get the story sensitivity right. I don't know your exact requirements and it's been a while since I've written one of these.

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:38:44 GMT

Thanks for the reply Mathew. That would be another alternative even though the automatic scripting of the C4D exchange is great except for the smoothing thing.
Regarding the script for manually make it story sensitive, i have actually found a post here wich is even more flexible and reacts to the global cutplane settings. [url] http://195.144.20.106/viewtopic.php?p=138982&highlight=cutplane+gdl&sid=6554c87aef302866c74f8602654d4015#138982

First add a parameter for turning off or on the storysensitive function then in the begining of the 2D script should be this:

if StorySensitive then 
   dummyvar = GLOB_CSTORY_ELEV 
   project2 3,270,1   !  if you replace 1 with 2, becomes hidden line wich is what i wanted!
   end 
endif

At the begining of the 3D script :

if StorySensitive and GLOB_CONTEXT = 2 then 
   add 0,0,GLOB_CUTPLANES_INFO[1] + GLOB_CSTORY_ELEV - GLOB_HSTORY_ELEV 
   cutplane 
   del 1 
   if CutBelow then 
      cutbottom = max(GLOB_CUTPLANES_INFO[3]+GLOB_CSTORY_ELEV-GLOB_HSTORY_ELEV,GLOB_CUTPLANES_INFO[4]) 
      add 0,0,cutbottom 
      mulz -1 
      cutplane 
      del 2 
   endif 
endif

And at the end of the 3D script:


if StorySensitive and GLOB_CONTEXT = 2 then 
   cutend 
   if CutBelow then 
      cutend 
   endif 
endif

I don`t know what dummyvar means. Anyway i succeded to make it cutplane sensitive but now i have to insert the foloowing parameters : uncut linetype
uncut pen
cut pen,
cut linetype
cut fill

Can you tell me where i should insert them and wich is the syntax?

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:42:05 GMT

Looks good. I didn't know your level of GDL expertise so I was keeping it simple (and saving some time). Cheers

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

TMA_80 — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:49:50 GMT

it the same problem when importing skeychup object ArchiCAD triangulate all the faces , the force smooth option from the 3ds addon would be great for both cases (yours and sketchup objects )

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:06:50 GMT

Well i am almost zero in GDL experience but i`v just managed to understand a few lines and did some copy paste.
The smooth thing option is really a mistery. I wonder where it stays on the GDL script. Maybe by studying the C4D exchange script i could find an answer.
However the C4D script isn`t easy. Still, i think i have found the part where it defines the Projected view (wich means cutplane sensitive)

==============================================================================
! Projected Views
! ==============================================================================

gs_cutplane_height = GLOB_CSTORY_ELEV - GLOB_HSTORY_ELEV + GLOB_CUTPLANES_INFO[1]
gs_top_range_height = GLOB_CSTORY_ELEV - GLOB_HSTORY_ELEV + GLOB_CUTPLANES_INFO[2]
if gs_symb_show_projection_to = stProjectionTypes[1] then
	gs_bottom_range_height = GLOB_CSTORY_ELEV - GLOB_HSTORY_ELEV + GLOB_CUTPLANES_INFO[3]   ! To Floor Plan Range
else
	gs_bottom_range_height = GLOB_CUTPLANES_INFO[4] ! Absolute Display Limit
endif

doCutplane = (AC_symb_display_option = 1 | AC_symb_display_option = 2)


		! Draw View Edges ==============================================================

pen AC_uncut_pen
line_type 1

if AC_symb_display_option = 5 then
	pen AC_overhead_pen
	line_type AC_overhead_linetype
endif

project2{3} 3,270,2+32  * (AC_symb_display_option = 5 | not(gs_use_3D_view_attributes)), 8,

parameters  gs_2D_projection        = doCutplane,
gs_2D_projection_type   = 1,
gs_cutplane_height      = gs_cutplane_height,
gs_top_range_height     = gs_top_range_height,
gs_bottom_range_height  = gs_bottom_range_height

I think the first part defines the cutplane settings wich is good.
But the answer for the smoothness issue is somehow related to this line?

project2{3} 3,270,2+32  * (AC_symb_display_option = 5 | not(gs_use_3D_view_attributes)), 8,

can somebody "translate it"?
Maybe if i could change a line or two in the C4D script i get what i want in an even easier way?

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:56:53 GMT

I have found a hint about the Project2{3} command here:
http://www.graphisoft.com/ftp/techsupport/documentation/developer_docs/BasicLibraryDoc/10/LibDevGuide/GDL_NewFeatures_10.html

PROJECT2{3} projection_code, angle, method, parts
[, backgroundColor, fillOrigoX, fillOrigoY, filldirection][[,]
PARAMETERS name1=value1 , ... namen=valuen

"project2{3}, adds the possibility to define which parts of the projected model are required and to control the attributes of the cut and view part separately, including the line type. You can also generate the projection with actual parameters set in the command"

It seems this new command incorporates the settings i am searching for?

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:21:05 GMT

I am updating again. I have found that the "method" parameter in the Project2 {3} command, has nothing to do with the smoothness of 3D object.
So i guess this issue is related to the actual 3D script . I should compare the 3D scripts of the C4D and 3DS import object. Does anybody knows more about this thing?

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:04:10 GMT

TMA_80 wrote:
it the same problem when importing skeychup object ArchiCAD triangulate all the faces , the force smooth option from the 3ds addon would be great for both cases (yours and sketchup objects )

This is why I use 3DS to get SketchUp models into ArchiCAD.

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:11:00 GMT

Coty82 wrote:
I am updating again. I have found that the "method" parameter in the Project2 {3} command, has nothing to do with the smoothness of 3D object.
So i guess this issue is related to the actual 3D script . I should compare the 3D scripts of the C4D and 3DS import object. Does anybody knows more about this thing?

You are right. The smoothness is determined in the 3D script. As I recall the Project2 {3} command just gives control over fills and pens for the plan view projection.

I don't know what the script from C4D import looks like but if it is binary then the options are very limited. If it is editable script it is theoretically possible to modify it but may be too difficult/problematic to be realistic.

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:34:57 GMT

Matthew wrote:

You are right. The smoothness is determined in the 3D script. As I recall the Project2 {3} command just gives control over fills and pens for the plan view projection.

I don't know what the script from C4D import looks like but if it is binary then the options are very limited. If it is editable script it is theoretically possible to modify it but may be too difficult/problematic to be realistic.

Both the 3D script from the C4D import and 3DS import are editable .
And the interesting thing is that with or without the "Force smooth" option, the models from the 3DS import have the same number of faces:
begnining of the 3D script without smooth option:

!Created from file:"organic_wall_test_3ds_not_smooth.3ds"
!Number of meshes:1
!Number of faces :1382
!Applied textures:1

with force smooth option:

!Created from file:"organic_wall_test_3ds_smooth.3ds"
!Number of meshes:1
!Number of faces :1382
!Applied textures:1

What does this mean?

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Piotr Dobrowolski — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:02:17 GMT

3ds import "smoothness" is texture (the texturing mode) dependant.
check what hapens when differenf texturing option is selected for your mesh.

If no texturing mode is applied - the resulting import script is different - the points are defined by VERT command, while if teturing mode is selected or UV mapping applied - the same points are defined by TEVE command.

I find the c4d interconnect completly unusefull right now.

Best Regards,
Piotr

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:15:50 GMT

Piotr wrote:
3ds import "smoothness" is texture (the texturing mode) dependant.
check what hapens when differenf texturing option is selected for your mesh.

If no texturing mode is applied - the resulting import script is different - the points are defined by VERT command, while if teturing mode is selected or UV mapping applied - the same points are defined by TEVE command.

I believe it must have something to do with the texture or shader but the setting is not in the 3D script.
I have copied and pasted the 3D script from the smooth object into the not-smooth object and nothing happends. The object remains the same because the 3D script is the same. Thats strange. The only difference i see between them is in the 2D script, but since the objects also differ in the 3D view, its not the case.
Could it be another parameter wich i didn`t see yet? Or is something encoded and cannot be edited? Where i can change the texturing option?
The only info i have found about the "force smooth" option is from the 3DS import plugin info:
"Force smooth option: The add-on tries smoothing all object surfaces"

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Barry Kelly — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:32:07 GMT

Coty82,
Can you post a smooth and not smooth object here?
You will need to ZIP them.
Barry.

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:49:37 GMT

I found out how to save the objects as they are and I have attached an smooth and a not smooth objects both imported witth the 3DS studio in plugin. I wonder if you see any differences between them in the scripts

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Piotr Dobrowolski — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:09:33 GMT

Coty82 wrote:

Where i can change the texturing option?
The only info i have found about the "force smooth" option is from the 3DS import plugin info:
"Force smooth option: The add-on tries smoothing all object surfaces"

I meant the texturing mapping option in the surface modeler aplication You use.
If You use Cinema4d - try changing the cubic to spherical and so on - and on 3ds import You will se different behaviour not only in therms of texturing, but also the different edges that would show up. I can see the i think unwanted edge on your smooth model screenshot - I assume You set spherical for Your object - and this unwanted edge is becuase there is a "texture edge" in the spherical texture mapping option.

Best Regards,
Piotr

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Piotr Dobrowolski — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:18:11 GMT

Coty82 wrote:
I found out how to save the objects as they are and I have attached an smooth and a not smooth objects both imported witth the 3DS studio in plugin. I wonder if you see any differences between them in the scripts

See EDGE commands after TEVE section,

In the smooth version the last parameter is "2" in the sharp it is "0"

The PGON commands have to have "2" as the third parameter for the surface to be smooth.

Also BODY command at the ond of 3d script has paremeter 2 in the smooth version and "0" in the sharp one.

refer fo the GDL manual - for EDGE, PGON and BODY commands

Best Regards,
Piotr

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:43:55 GMT

See EDGE commands after TEVE section,

In the smooth version the last parameter is "2" in the sharp it is "0"

The PGON commands have to have "2" as the third parameter for the surface to be smooth.

Also BODY command at the ond of 3d script has paremeter 2 in the smooth version and "0" in the sharp one.

Thanks Piotr, you are right! I have copied pasted the 3D script of the smooth object into the 3d script o the sharped one and in the 3d window it became smooth.
And i have also noticed the EDGE, PGON, and BODY differences. the "2" value reffers to generating a curved surface
When I am using C4D exchange, the above parameters it generates are:

EDGE vert1, vert1, pgon1, pgon2, 1 -- (1 means an invisible edge, 2 would mean a curved surface)
PGON n, vect, -1, etc (-1 means the engine will calculate the status of the polygon . I dont kknow what that means. 2 would have mean polygon of a curved surface
BODY 1 (1 means closedbody instead of 2 wich would have curved surfaces)

The problem lies in the C4D settings then. You suggest i should assign a texture and play with the mapping settings? Or maybe an option to smooth the surfaces

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:28:06 GMT

Piotr wrote:
assume You set spherical for Your object - and this unwanted edge is becuase there is a "texture edge" in the spherical texture mapping option.
Piotr

Is this setting in Cinema 4D in Preferences - Import/Export - Archicad Import - Default Texture projection?

I don`t see the "texture edge" option there.

Re: Story sensitive object with smooth option

Piotr Dobrowolski — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:35:05 GMT

Coty82 wrote:
Piotr wrote:
assume You set spherical for Your object - and this unwanted edge is becuase there is a "texture edge" in the spherical texture mapping option.
Piotr
Is this setting in Cinema 4D in Preferences - Import/Export - Archicad Import - Default Texture projection?

I don`t see the "texture edge" option there.

You read me too "strictly" 😉
Open Your model in Cinema - and see what is texture mapping applied to the object. See the mapping "model" coordinates - eg. Spherical - if Spherical - the mapping sphere is divided into quadrants - and when the quadrant ends - the "texture edge" shows up - when via 3ds the model is transfered to AC.
I do not use the AC<>Cinema connection as it produces triangulation, and bigger models cannot be imported ;-(

Best Regards,
Piotr