if you have a 2d vector pattern and a nurbs surface you can go to
>modeling>edit nurbs>project curve on surface.

P.S. not sure if this helps...(hehe)

sounds like a boring movie. you're going to have to come up with a better pitch than that, swamprat. does it blow up?

could be a vehicle for brad...

my last film:



so I ended my hollywood life with a bang... Still have a few scripts floating around. Anybody want a todd mcfarlane john hancock on Spawn? make a bid...

vado, that vehicle sounds boring. Does it have 5 wheels, or something cool like that?

if you want to create just a pattern, do it with surface uv mapping tool in rhino but if you want to control your cells in a parametric way
,you gotta go into scripting thing..good luck!!! :)

treekiller,

I know this guy...

'P.S. Not sure if this makes sense.'

this is a note that I include on all of my drawing sets

swamprat,

are you trying to Frank Lloyd Wright a script, or Lloyd Wright one??? I need to know

i'd like to know too.

projecting the lines do not 'parent' the lines to the surface. you can move the lines, but you cannot manipulate the surface with the new lines.

ive asked 5 people this same question...blank looks everytime.

'Script by Thomas Anagnostou
'Rhino Ver3 SR3c
'RhinoScript 20050218
'Jul/02/2005

'ToDo: Add support for groups

'Function list:
' DoTell
' DoBboxHandles
' DoJitter
' DoManipulateThese
' DoTranslate
' DoRotate
' DoSortPT
' DoEquidistant
' DoSurfaceDeltas
' DoScale
' DoProportionize
' DoSpikeDeltas
' DoVectorAngle(dot product)
' DoInvCos
' DoVersionCheck
' DoGetDefaults
' DoSummary
' DoAppend
' DoSplit
' DoSwapEquivalent
' DidRequested
' DoAskQuartet
' DoAlign

'All functions (should) return a zero based array of at least (2) elements
'position 0 contains the result arrays/data (or Null on error)
'position 1 contains other arrays/data returned (or an error code on error)

option explicit
HarmonyDistribution
sub HarmonyDistribution()

const version =20050218

'for UserSays array
const TargetObjects =0
const Surface =1
const NoAction =2
const Equidist =3
const Align =4
const Displace =5
const Rotate =6
const Scale =7
const Jitter =8
const Handle =9
const SurfaceDatum =10

'for ThisView array
const name =0
const cplanepoints =1
const useWorld =2

dim temp
dim ask

dim ThisView (2)
dim UserSays
dim xformDisplace
dim xFormRotate
dim xFormScale
dim freshDeltas
dim surfDeltas
dim tempArray
dim HandlePT

if DoVersionCheck(version)=false then exit sub

'Viewport capture
'capture the current view only once for the duration of the script
ThisView(name)=rhino.currentview
ThisView(cplanePoints)=rhino.viewcplane
ThisView(useWorld)=false

'Data Harvest Region
ask=DoAskUser(ThisView)
if isnull(ask(0)) then
rhino.print ask(1)
exit sub
end if

usersays=ask(0)
'<--

'Data Implementation Region
if DidRequested(NoAction,usersays)(0) then
Rhino.print DoTell(00)(0)&DoTell(44)(0)
exit sub
end if

HandlePT=DoBboxHandles(usersays(TargetObjects),usersays(handle),ThisView)

if DidRequested(surface,usersays)(0) then
'exects DoSurfaceDeltas(SurfID,HandlePT,BoxZ,TheView)
surfDeltas=DoSurfaceDeltas(userSays(Surface),HandlePT(0),UserSays(SurfaceDatum)(0),false,ThisView)
if isnull(surfDeltas(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&surfDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if
end if

'Equidist
if DidRequested(Equidist,usersays)(0) then
'Expects: equidist(thisObj,BoxAttrib,ThisAxis,byHandles)
freshDeltas=DoEquidistant(usersays(TargetObjects),HandlePT,usersays(Equidist)(0),Usersays(Equidist)(1))
if isnull(freshDeltas(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&freshDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if

if vartype(xformDisplace)<8000 then xformDisplace=freshDeltas

end if

'Align
if DidRequested(Align,usersays)(0) then
if (usersays(align)(0)<>3) then
freshDeltas=DoAlign(HandlePT(0),usersays(align)(0),usersays(align)(1))
else
freshDeltas=array(surfDeltas(2),"")
end if

if vartype(xformDisplace)<8000 then
xFormDisplace=freshDeltas
else
tempArray=DoManipulateThese(xFormDisplace(0),freshDeltas(0),"+",null,null)
xFormDisplace=tempArray
end if

if isnull(xformDisplace(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&freshDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if
end if

'Displace
if DidRequested(Displace,usersays)(0) then
if (usersays(Displace)(3)=true and usersays(Displace)(4)=false) then
'Expects: DoJitter(howMany,axis,jitterON)
tempArray=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Displace),false,false)
freshDeltas=DoManipulateThese(surfDeltas(0),tempArray(0),"*",array(2,2,2),null)
elseif (usersays(Displace)(3)=true and usersays(Displace)(4)=true) then
temp=DoManipulateThese(surfDeltas(0),null,"*",array(2,2,2),null)
tempArray=DoManipulateThese(surfDeltas(1),null,"*",array(2,2,2),null)
'Expects: DoProportionize(HandlePT,HandlePtMinMax,RawDeltas,SumDeltas,axisMulti)
FreshDeltas=DoProportionize(HandlePT(0),HandlePT(2),temp(0),tempArray(0),usersays(Displace))
else
freshDeltas=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Displace),false,false)
end if

if vartype(xformDisplace)<8000 then
xformDisplace=freshDeltas
else
tempArray=DoManipulateThese(xFormDisplace(0),freshDeltas(0),"+",null,null)
xFormDisplace=tempArray
end if

if isnull(xformDisplace(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&freshDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if

end if

'Jitter Displacement
if didrequested(Jitter,usersays)(1)(0) then
if (usersays(Jitter)(0)(3)=true) then
'Expects: DoJitter(howMany,axis,jitterON)
tempArray=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Jitter)(0),true,false)
freshDeltas=DoManipulateThese(surfDeltas(0),tempArray(0),"*",array(2,2,2),null)
else
freshDeltas=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Jitter)(0),true,false)
end if

if vartype(xformDisplace)<8000 then
xformDisplace=freshDeltas
else
tempArray=DoManipulateThese(xFormDisplace(0),freshDeltas(0),"+",null,null)
xFormDisplace=tempArray
end if

if isnull(xformDisplace(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&freshDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if
end if

'Rotate
if DidRequested(Rotate,usersays)(0) then
if (usersays(Rotate)(3)=true) then
'Expects: DoJitter(howMany,axis,jitterON)
tempArray=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Rotate),false,false)
freshDeltas=DoManipulateThese(surfDeltas(0),tempArray(0),"*",array(2,2,2),null)
else
freshDeltas=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Rotate),false,false)
end if

if vartype(xformRotate)<8000 then
xformRotate=freshDeltas
else
tempArray=DoManipulateThese(xFormRotate(0),freshDeltas(0),"+",null,null)
xFormRotate=tempArray
end if

if isnull(xformRotate(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&freshDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if

end if

'Jitter Rotation
if didrequested(Jitter,usersays)(1)(1) then
if (usersays(Jitter)(1)(3)=true) then
'Expects: DoJitter(howMany,axis,jitterON)
tempArray=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Jitter)(1),true,false)
freshDeltas=DoManipulateThese(surfDeltas(0),tempArray(0),"*",array(2,2,2),null)
else
freshDeltas=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Jitter)(1),true,false)
end if

if vartype(xformRotate)<8000 then
xformRotate=freshDeltas
else
tempArray=DoManipulateThese(xFormRotate(0),freshDeltas(0),"+",null,null)
xFormRotate=tempArray
end if

if isnull(xformRotate(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&freshDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if
end if

'Scale
if DidRequested(Scale,usersays)(0) then
if (usersays(Scale)(3)=true) then
'Expects: DoJitter(howMany,axis,jitterON)
tempArray=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Scale),false,false)
freshDeltas=DoManipulateThese(surfDeltas(0),tempArray(0),"*",array(2,2,2),null)
else
freshDeltas=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Scale),false,false)
end if

if vartype(xformScale)<8000 then
xformScale=freshDeltas
else
tempArray=DoManipulateThese(xFormScale(0),freshDeltas(0),"+",null,null)
xFormScale=tempArray
end if

if isnull(xformScale(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&freshDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if

end if

'Jitter Scale
if didrequested(Jitter,usersays)(1)(2) then
if (usersays(Jitter)(2)(3)=true) then
'Expects: DoJitter(howMany,axis,jitterON)
tempArray=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Jitter)(2),true,true)
freshDeltas=DoManipulateThese(surfDeltas(0),tempArray(0),"*",array(2,2,2),null)
else
freshDeltas=DoJitter( ubound(usersays(TargetObjects)),usersays(Jitter)(2),true,true)
end if

if vartype(xformScale)<8000 then
xformScale=freshDeltas
else
tempArray=DoManipulateThese(xFormScale(0),freshDeltas(0),"+",null,null)
xFormScale=tempArray
end if

if isnull(xformScale(0)) then
rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&freshDeltas(1)
rhino.enableredraw true
exit sub
end if
end if

'Active region
'Scale acts first, Rotation acts second
if (DidRequested(Scale,usersays)(0)=true or didRequested(jitter,usersays)(1)(2)) then
tempArray= DoScale(usersays(TargetObjects),HandlePt(0),xFormScale(0),array(1,1,1),ThisView)
end if

if (DidRequested(Rotate,usersays)(0)=true or didRequested(jitter,usersays)(1)(1)) then
tempArray= DoRotate(usersays(TargetObjects),HandlePt(0),xFormRotate(0),array(1,1,1),ThisView)
end if

if (DidRequested(displace,usersays)(0)=true or DidRequested(align,usersays)(0)=true or DidRequested(Equidist,usersays)(0)=true or _
didRequested(jitter,usersays)(1)(0)) then
tempArray= DoTranslate(usersays(TargetObjects),HandlePt(0),xFormDisplace(0),array(1,1,1),ThisView)
HandlePT(0)=tempArray(0)
end if

'<--

end sub



'Receives
' -Nothing
'Returns
' a variant array of user inputs (see DoGetDefaults for syntax)
function DoAskUser (TheView)
'for UserSays array
const every =-1
const TargetObjects =0
const Surface =1
const Equidist =3
const Align =4
const Displace =5
const Rotate =6
const Scale =7
const Jitter =8
const Handle =9
const SurfaceDatum =10

const MainMenu =7
const SubMenu =8

const cplanepoints =1

dim default
dim temp

dim OneResponse
dim options
dim UserSays
Dim toReturn

toReturn=array(0,0)

'-->Data Harvest Region
UserSays=DoGetDefaults(every)
UserSays(TargetObjects)=rhino.getobjects(DoTell(01)(0),0,false,True)

if (isnull (UserSays(TargetObjects))) then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)= DoTell(60)(0)&DoTell(61)(0)
DoAskUser=toReturn
exit function
end if

do
rhino.print DoSummary(UserSays,DoTell(04)(0))(0)
default=""
options=DoTell(MainMenu)
OneResponse=array("","")
OneResponse(0)=rhino.getstring (DoTell(04)(0),default,options)
oneResponse(0)=lcase(oneresponse(0))

Select case oneResponse(0)
case lcase(DoTell(MainMenu)(0)) 'Equidistant
options=DoAppend(DoTell(10)(04),DoTell(09))(0)
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(equidist)(0),array(0,1,2,false),options,true)(0)
OneResponse(0)=rhino.getstring(DoTell(SubMenu)(0),default,options)
temp=DoSwapEquivalent(OneResponse(0),options,options,true)
oneresponse=temp
if isnull(oneResponse(0)) then exit do
oneresponse(0)=DoSwapEquivalent(temp(0),array(0,1,2,false),options,false)(0)
usersays(equidist)(0)=oneResponse(0)
if (oneResponse(0)<>"" and vartype(oneresponse(0))<>11) then
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(equidist)(1),DoTell(11),array(true,false),false)(0)
options=DoTell(11)
OneResponse(0)=rhino.getstring(DoTell(SubMenu)(1),default,options)
temp=DoSwapEquivalent(OneResponse(0),options,options,true)
oneresponse=temp
if not isnull(oneResponse(0)) then
oneresponse=DoSwapEquivalent(temp(0),DoTell(11),array(true,false),true)
usersays(equidist)(1)=oneResponse(0)
end if
end if
case lcase(DoTell(MainMenu)(1)) 'Align
options=DoAppend(array(DoTell(10)(5),DoTell(10)(4)),array(DoTell(09)(0),DoTell(09)(1)))(0)
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(align)(0),options,array(0,1,3,false),false)(0) 'array[x,y,z,surface,false]
oneresponse(0)=rhino.getstring(DoTell(SubMenu)(2),default,options)
temp=DoSwapEquivalent(OneResponse(0),options,options,true)
oneresponse=temp
if isnull(oneResponse(0)) then exit do
temp=DoSwapEquivalent(oneresponse(0),options,array(0,1,3,false),true)
oneresponse=temp
usersays(Align)(0)=oneResponse(0)
if (oneResponse(0)=0 or oneResponse(0)=1) then
default=userSays(Align)(1)
options=""
'oneresponse(0)=rhino.getreal(DoTell(submenu)(8),default) 'Ask user for a numeric input
oneResponse(0)=rhino.getpoint(DoTell(submenu)(12),,,true) 'returns a 3d point (array)
if isnull(oneResponse(0)) then exit do
oneResponse(0)=rhino.xformworldtocplane (oneResponse(0),TheView(cplanePoints))
temp=oneresponse(0)(abs(usersays(Align)(0)-1)) 'The usersays(Align)(0) is either 0 or 1
oneresponse(0)=temp 'assign a single value to oneresponse(0) instead of a 3d point array
usersays(Align)(1)=oneresponse(0)
end if
case lcase(DoTell(MainMenu)(2)) 'Move
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(Displace)(3),array(true,false),array(DoTell(10)(2),DoTell(10)(3)),true)(0)
default=usersays(Displace)(0)&","&usersays(Displace)(1)&","&usersays(Displace)(2)&","&default
'options= ....
rhino.print DoTell(06)(1)
oneResponse=DoAskQuartet(DoTell(SubMenu)(3),default,usersays(displace),true)
if isnull(oneresponse(0)) then exit do
usersays(Displace)=oneresponse(0)
if usersays(Displace)(3)=true then
rhino.print DoTell(06)(5)
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(Displace)(4),array(true,false),array(DoTell(10)(2),DoTell(10)(3)),true)(0)
options=array(DoTell(10)(2),DoTell(10)(3))
oneresponse(0)=rhino.getstring(DoTell(8)(9),default,options)
if isnull(oneresponse(0)) then exit do
temp=DoSwapEquivalent(OneResponse(0),options,options,true)
oneresponse=temp
if isnull(oneResponse(0)) then exit do
if oneresponse(0)=DoTell(10)(2) then oneresponse(0)=true else oneresponse(0)=false
usersays(Displace)(4)=oneresponse(0)
end if
oneresponse(0)="pass"
case lcase(DoTell(MainMenu)(3)) 'Rotate
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(Rotate)(3),array(DoTell(10)(2),DoTell(10)(3)),array(true,false),false)(0)
default=usersays(Rotate)(0)&","&usersays(Rotate)(1)&","&usersays(Rotate)(2)&","&default
'options= ....
rhino.print DoTell(06)(2)
oneResponse=DoAskQuartet(DoTell(SubMenu)(4),default,usersays(rotate),true)
if isnull(oneresponse(0)) then exit do
usersays(Rotate)=oneresponse(0)
oneresponse(0)="pass"
case lcase(DoTell(MainMenu)(4)) 'Scale
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(Scale)(3),array(DoTell(10)(2),DoTell(10)(3)),array(true,false),false)(0)
default=usersays(Scale)(0)&","&usersays(Scale)(1)&","&usersays(Scale)(2)&","&default
'options= ....
rhino.print DoTell(06)(3)
oneResponse=DoAskQuartet(DoTell(SubMenu)(5),default,usersays(scale),true)
if isnull (oneResponse(0)) then exit do
usersays(Scale)=oneresponse(0)
oneresponse(0)="pass"
case lcase(DoTell(MainMenu)(5)) 'Jitter
options=DoAppend(DoTell(10)(4),DoTell(18))(0)
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(jitter)(3),options,array(0,1,2,3),false)(0)
oneResponse(0)=rhino.getstring(DoTell(subMenu)(10),default,options)
if vartype(oneResponse(0))>1 then
temp=DoSwapEquivalent(OneResponse(0),options,options,true)
oneresponse=temp
if isnull(oneResponse(0)) then exit do
userSays(Jitter)(3)=DoSwapEquivalent(oneresponse(0),options,array(0,1,2,3),true)(0)
if usersays(Jitter)(3)<3 then
default=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(Jitter)(userSays(Jitter)(3))(3),array(DoTell(10)(2),DoTell(10)(3)),array(true,false),false)(0)
default=usersays(Jitter)(userSays(Jitter)(3))(0)&","&usersays(Jitter)(userSays(Jitter)(3))(1)&","&usersays(Jitter)(userSays(Jitter)(3))(2)&","&default
'options= ....
rhino.print DoTell(6)(4)
oneResponse=DoAskQuartet(DoTell(18)(userSays(Jitter)(3))&DoTell(SubMenu)(6),default,usersays(Jitter)(userSays(Jitter)(3)),true)
if isnull (oneResponse(0)) then exit do
usersays(Jitter)(userSays(Jitter)(3))=oneresponse(0)
if didrequested(jitter,usersays)(1)(userSays(Jitter)(3))=false then usersays(jitter)(3)=3
else
usersays(jitter)=DoGetDefaults(jitter)
end if
end if
if (not isnull(oneresponse(0))) then oneresponse(0)="pass"
case lcase(DoTell(MainMenu)(6)) 'Handle from
default=usersays(Handle)(0)&","&usersays(Handle)(1)&","&usersays(Handle)(2)
'options= ....
rhino.print DoTell(13)(0)
oneResponse=DoAskQuartet(DoTell(SubMenu)(7),default,usersays(handle),true)
if isnull (oneResponse(0)) then exit do
usersays(Handle)=oneresponse(0)
oneresponse(0)="pass"
case lcase(DoTell(MainMenu)(7)) 'SrfDatum
default=userSays(SurfaceDatum)(0)
'No constrain for min or max needed
rhino.print DoTell(06)(0)
oneResponse(0)=Rhino.getReal(DoTell(SubMenu)(11),default)
if isnull (oneResponse(0)) then exit do
usersays(SurfaceDatum)(0)=oneResponse(0)
case else
end Select

loop while (oneResponse(0)<>"" and (not isnull(oneresponse(0))) )

if (isnull (oneresponse(0))) then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)= DoTell(60)(0)&oneresponse(1)
DoAskUser=toReturn
exit function
end if

if DidRequested(surface,usersays)(0) then
usersays(Surface)=rhino.GetObject(DoTell(02)(0),8)
end if

if isnull (usersays(Surface)) then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)= DoTell(20)(0)&DoTell(43)(0)
DoAskUser=toReturn
exit function
end if

toReturn(0)=usersays

DoAskUser=toReturn
end function



'Receives
' -an integer
'Returns
' -an array of strings (main message is at element 0, the others are trailing chunks)
function DoTell(what)

dim Say
redim Say(80)
'Messages
Say(00)=array("Script completed successfully.")
Say(01)=array("Select target objects")
Say(02)=array("Select Control surface")
Say(03)=array( "Please wait, while adjusting position on <","> objects.", _
"Please wait, while adjusting rotation on <", _
"Please wait, while adjusting scale on <", _
"Please wait, while calculating surface deltas for <")
Say(04)=array("Main menu")
Say(05)=array("Obj","Srf")
Say(06)=array("Enter control-surface bounding box height as datum for surface Deltas (Box height range <0.0 to 1.0>, or higher/lower values for datums beyond)", _
"Enter displacement values for X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, and Yes-No (for control by Surface)", _
"Enter rotation values (in degrees) for X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, and Yes-No (for control by Surface)", _
"Enter scale values for X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, and Yes-No (for control by Surface)", _
"Enter jitter amount for X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, and Yes-No (for control by Surface)", _
"If answer is <Yes> then surface-controlled changes will be constrained within the bounds of the furthest object(s)")
Say(07)=array("Equidistant","Align", "Move", "Rotate", "Scale", "Jitter", "Handle", "Datum")
Say(08)=array("Equidistant along:","Equidistant from:","Align to:","Move objects:","Rotate Objects:", _
"Scale Objects:"," jitter amount:","Bounding Box Handle:", "Align to axis at location:", _
"Bound within external objects?", "Jitter type:","Surface datum height:", "Select point to align to" )
Say(09)=array("Xaxis","Yaxis","Zaxis")
Say(10)=array("Summary of actions: ","amount","Yes","No","None","Surface","Center","Bound","Free")
Say(11)=array("Handles","BoxEdges")
Say(12)=array("BoxAxisX","BoxAxisY","BoxAxisZ")
Say(13)=array("Select object-handle percentage location in bounding box coordinates. Center is at x=0.5, y=0.5, z=0.5")
Say(18)=array("Displacement","Rotation","Scale")
Say(19)=array("Dsp","Rot","Scl")

'Internal Errors (debug session)
Say(20)=array("Script not successful. ")
Say(21)=array("Requested error string ("&what&") not found for display. ",1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20)
Say(22)=array("Internal error (Needed arrays not found for box-handle creation)")
Say(23)=array("Internal error (Needed arrays not found for object jitter calculation)")
Say(24)=array("Internal error (Needed arrays not found for object translation)")
Say(25)=array("Internal error (Needed arrays not found for object rotation)")
Say(26)=array("Internal error (Needed arrays not found for object sorting)")
Say(27)=array("Internal error (Needed arrays not found for distance calculations)")
Say(28)=array("Internal error (Needed arrays not found for surface-delta calculations)")
Say(29)=array("(Control surface has corners not sufficiently orthogonal)")
Say(30)=array("(Control surface U-direction is not sufficiently aligned to the X-axis)")
Say(31)=array("(Control surface object not valid)")
Say(32)=array("(Control surfaces must be untrimmed)")
Say(33)=array("(Control surface has no thickness from this view)")
Say(34)=array("(Control surface Z-deltas cannot be evaluated from this viewport)")
Say(35)=array("Please update to RhinoScript","or later. ","Version found: ")
Say(36)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the append function)")
Say(37)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the interpret function)")
Say(38)=array("(Requested Vartype to interpret is not supported)")
Say(39)=array("(Invalid axis input)")
Say(40)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the SwapEquivalent function)")
Say(41)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the MatchResponse function)")
Say(42)=array("(Invalid user input)")
Say(43)=array("(No Control surface selected)")
Say(44)=array("(User requested NO action)")
Say(45)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the Align function)")
Say(46)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the AskQuartet function)")
Say(47)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the ManipulateThese function)")
Say(48)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the Scale function)")
Say(49)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the Proportionize function)")
Say(50)=array("(Prerequisites not met for the VectorAngle function)")
Say(59)=array("Internal Error. ")

'User abort/error
Say(60)=array("Script aborted. ")
Say(61)=array("(Target Object selection was empty)")
Say(62)=array("(Invalid input)")

if (ubound(Say)<what or lbound(Say)>what ) then
doTell=Say(21)
exit function
elseif vartype(Say(what))<8000 then
doTell=Say(21)
exit function
end if

DoTell=Say(what)
end function



'receives
' -objectIDs: an array of object identifiers
' -a 3D point in bounding box coordinates
' -boolean indicating operation in world or Cplane coordinates
'Returns
' -an array of handle points in cplane coordinates
' -an array with the XYZ dimentions of the cplane oriented bounding boxes for each object
' -a two element array of 3 element arrays with the minimum and maximum coordinate values found for each axis
'This function always works internally in Cplane coordinates, but returns either Cplane or World
Function DoBboxHandles(ThisObj,HandlePos,TheView)

const Handlepoints =0
const bboxDim =1
const minMax =2

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

const min =0
const max =1

const name =0
const cplanepoints =1
const useworld =2

dim toReturn (2)
dim sign (2)
dim limits (2)
dim temp ()
dim loopOdo
dim prerequisites
dim bbox

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ((vartype(ThisObj)<8000) or (vartype(handlePos)<8000) or (vartype(theview)<8000)) then
prerequisites=false
elseif (ubound(handlePos)<2) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(22)(0)
DoBboxHandles=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

redim temp(ubound(ThisObj))
toReturn (Handlepoints)=temp
toReturn (bboxDim)=temp
redim temp(1)
toReturn (MinMax)=temp

For loopOdo=0 to ubound (ThisObj)
'TheView(useWorld) is a boolean True or False
bbox=rhino.boundingbox (ThisObj(loopOdo),TheView(name),TheView(useWorld))
toReturn(bboxDim)(loopOdo)=array(abs(bbox(6)(x)-bbox(0)(x)),abs(bbox(0)(y)-bbox(6)(y)),abs(bbox(6)(z)-bbox(0)(z)))
toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)=array(bbox(0)(x)+handlepos(x)*toreturn(bboxDim)(loopOdo)(x),bbox(0)(y)+handlepos(y)*toreturn(bboxDim)(loopOdo)(y),bbox(0)(z)+handlepos(z)*toreturn(bboxDim)(loopOdo)(z))

if loopodo=0 then
toreturn(minmax)(min)=array(toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(x),toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(y),toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(z))
toreturn(minmax)(max)=array(toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(x),toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(y),toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(z))
end if
'minima
if (toreturn(minmax)(min)(x)>toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(x)) then toreturn(minmax)(min)(x)=toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(x)
if (toreturn(minmax)(min)(y)>toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(y)) then toreturn(minmax)(min)(y)=toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(y)
if (toreturn(minmax)(min)(z)>toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(z)) then toreturn(minmax)(min)(z)=toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(z)
'maxima
if (toreturn(minmax)(max)(x)<toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(x)) then toreturn(minmax)(max)(x)=toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(x)
if (toreturn(minmax)(max)(y)<toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(y)) then toreturn(minmax)(max)(y)=toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(y)
if (toreturn(minmax)(max)(z)<toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(z)) then toreturn(minmax)(max)(z)=toReturn(handlePoints)(loopOdo)(z)
next

DoBboxHandles=toReturn
end function



'receives
' -an integer indicating the size of the zero-based jitter array
' -an array of three multiplier values for the amount of jitter on the x,y and z axis (zero turns that axis off)
' -boolean to turn jitter on-off (when off it applies a constant delta to all axis, acting as an array filler)
' -boolean to use a single random value for all three axis (if true)
'Returns
' -an array of x,y and z random deltas (transformation values)
function DoJitter(howMany,axis,JitterON,equalXYZ)

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

dim loopOdo
dim prerequisites
dim scalar
dim toReturn (1)
dim temp

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ((vartype(axis)<8000) or (vartype(howmany)<2 and vartype(howmany)>5) or vartype(JitterON)<>11 or vartype(equalXYZ)<>11) then
prerequisites=false
elseif (ubound(axis)<2) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(23)(0)
DoJitter=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

randomize
redim temp (howMany)
toReturn(0)=temp

for loopOdo=0 to howmany
if (JitterON=true) then
scalar=array(rnd*2-1,rnd*2-1,rnd*2-1)
if equalXYZ=true then
temp=rnd*2-1
scalar=array(temp,temp,temp)
end if
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)=array(axis(x)*(scalar(x)),axis(y)*(scalar(y)),axis(z)*(scalar(z)))
else
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)=array(axis(x),axis(y),axis(z))
end if
next

DoJitter=toReturn
end function



'Receives
' -an array of 3Dpoints
' -an array of 3Dpoints
' -a string with the operator to use when fusing the two arrays
' -an optional (use Null to diactivate) three element array; indicating the new xyz order (ie. array(2,0,1) means swap x:z, y:x and z:y before the operation, array(2,2,2) copies the z axis values to the x and y axis)
' -an optional (use Null to diactivate) three element array; indicating the new xyz order (ie. array(2,0,1) means swap x:z, y:x and z:y before the operation)
'Returns
' -the fused array (if succesfull) or -- at(0) Null and at (1) explanation (of error)
function DoManipulateThese(ThisOne,ThatOne,operator,reorderThis,reorderThat)

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

dim loopOdo
dim howmany
dim prerequisites
dim temp
dim toReturn (1)

'-> Check Prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if (vartype(ThisOne)<8000 or vartype(operator)<>8) then
prerequisites=false
elseif vartype(thatone)>=8000 then
if (ubound(thisone)<>ubound(thatone)) then
prerequisites=false
end if
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(47)(0)
DoManipulateThese=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

if (vartype(reorderThis)<8000) then reorderthis=array(0,1,2)
if (vartype(reorderThat)<8000) then reorderthat=array(0,1,2)

howmany=ubound(ThisOne)
redim temp (howmany)
toReturn(0)=temp

for loopOdo=0 to howmany
toreturn(0)(loopodo)=thisOne(loopodo)
toreturn(0)(loopodo)(x)=thisOne(loopOdo)(reorderthis(x))
toreturn(0)(loopodo)(y)=thisOne(loopOdo)(reorderthis(y))
toreturn(0)(loopodo)(z)=thisOne(loopOdo)(reorderthis(z))

if (isarray(thatOne)) then
select case operator
case "+"
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(x)=toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(x)+ThatOne(loopOdo)(reorderThat(x))
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(y)=toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(y)+ThatOne(loopOdo)(reorderThat(y))
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(z)=toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(z)+ThatOne(loopOdo)(reorderThat(z))
case "*"
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(x)=toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(x)*ThatOne(loopOdo)(reorderThat(x))
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(y)=toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(y)*ThatOne(loopOdo)(reorderThat(y))
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(z)=toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(z)*ThatOne(loopOdo)(reorderThat(z))
case else
end select
end if

next

DoManipulateThese=toReturn
end function



'Receives
' -an array of object IDs
' -an array of 3d handle points to move
' -an array of deltas
' -an array; x,y,z multipliers (zero, turns-off that axis)
' -an array containing the view name and cplane orientation(4 points)
'Returns
' -an array the new positions
function DoTranslate(ThisObj, fromHere, deltas,multiplier,TheView)

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

const name =0
const cplanePoints =1
const useworld =2

dim loopOdo
dim howmany
dim toHere
dim epsilon
dim prerequisites
dim toReturn(1)

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ( (vartype(Thisobj)<8000) or (vartype(fromHere)<8000) or (vartype(deltas(0))<8000) or (vartype(theview)<8000) or _
(vartype(multiplier)<8000)) then
prerequisites=false
elseif (ubound(thisObj)<>ubound(fromhere) or ubound(thisObj)<>ubound(deltas) or ubound(multiplier)<2) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(24)(0)
DoTranslate=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

epsilon=Rhino.UnitAbsoluteTolerance
howmany=ubound(thisobj)

redim toHere (howmany)
rhino.enableredraw False
for loopOdo=0 to howmany
'Please wait message
if (loopodo mod 200)=0 then Rhino.print DoTell(03)(0)&(howmany-loopOdo+1)&DoTell(03)(1)

if (rhino.currentview<>theview(name)) then rhino.currentview (theView(name))
if (abs(deltas(loopodo)(x))>epsilon or abs(deltas(loopodo)(y))>epsilon or abs(deltas(loopodo)(z))>epsilon) then
toHere(loopOdo)=array(fromHere(loopOdo)(x)+multiplier(x)*deltas(loopodo)(x),fromHere(loopOdo)(y)+multiplier(y)*deltas(loopodo)(y),fromHere(loopOdo)(z)+multiplier(z)*deltas(loopodo)(z))
if theview(UseWorld)=False then
fromHere(loopOdo)=rhino.xformcplanetoworld (fromHere(loopOdo),TheView(cplanePoints))
toHere(loopOdo)=rhino.xformcplanetoworld (toHere(loopOdo),TheView(cplanePoints))
end if
rhino.moveobject thisobj(loopOdo), fromHere(loopOdo), toHere(loopOdo)
end if
next
rhino.enableredraw True

toReturn(0)=toHere
DoTranslate=toReturn

end function



'Receives
' -an array of ObjectIDs
' -an array of bounding box handles
' -a three element array; xyz deltas
' -a three element array with multiplier values for the x,y and z axis
' -an array of Viewname + Cplane definition points
'Returns
' -True if successful (Null if not)
' -adjusts the original ObjectIDs
function DoRotate(ThisObj,fromHere,angleDeltas,multiplier,TheView)

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

const name =0
const cplanePoints =1
const useworld =2

const OriginPoint =0
const DirectionPoint=1

dim loopOdo
dim prerequisites
dim epsilon
dim howmany
dim pi
dim rotAxis (1)
dim axis (2)
dim toReturn (1)

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ( (vartype(ThisObj)<8000) or (vartype(fromhere)<8000) or (vartype(angledeltas)<8000) or _
(vartype(multiplier)<8000) or (vartype(theview)<8000) ) then
prerequisites=false
elseif (Ubound(thisobj)<>ubound(fromhere) or Ubound(thisobj)<>ubound(angledeltas) or ubound(multiplier)<2) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(25)(0)
DoRotate=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

pi=atn(1)*4
epsilon=Rhino.UnitAbsoluteTolerance*180/pi 'angle in degrees
howmany=ubound (thisobj)

rhino.enableredraw False
for loopOdo=0 to howmany
'Please wait message
if (loopodo mod 200)=0 then Rhino.print DoTell(03)(2)&(howmany-loopOdo+1)&DoTell(03)(1)

if (rhino.currentview<>theview(name)) then rhino.currentview (theView(name))
'rhino.RotateObject requires input in world coordinates for origin
rotaxis(originPoint)=rhino.xformcplanetoworld(fromhere(loopOdo),theView(cplanepoints))
if abs(angledeltas(loopOdo)(x))>epsilon then
rotaxis(DirectionPoint)=array(fromhere(loopOdo)(x)+1,fromhere(loopOdo)(y),fromhere(loopOdo)(z))
rotaxis(DirectionPoint)=rhino.xformcplanetoworld(rotaxis(DirectionPoint),theView(cplanepoints))
ThisObj(loopOdo)=rhino.Rotateobject (ThisObj(loopOdo),rotaxis(originpoint),multiplier(x)*angledeltas(loopOdo)(x),rotaxis)
end if
if abs(angledeltas(loopOdo)(y))>epsilon then
rotaxis(DirectionPoint)=array(fromhere(loopOdo)(x),fromhere(loopOdo)(y)+1,fromhere(loopOdo)(z))
rotaxis(DirectionPoint)=rhino.xformcplanetoworld(rotaxis(DirectionPoint),theView(cplanepoints))
ThisObj(loopOdo)=rhino.Rotateobject (ThisObj(loopOdo),rotaxis(originpoint),multiplier(y)*angledeltas(loopOdo)(y),rotaxis)
end if
if abs(angledeltas(loopOdo)(z))>epsilon then
rotaxis(DirectionPoint)=array(fromhere(loopOdo)(x),fromhere(loopOdo)(y),fromhere(loopOdo)(z)+1)
rotaxis(DirectionPoint)=rhino.xformcplanetoworld(rotaxis(DirectionPoint),theView(cplanepoints))
ThisObj(loopOdo)=rhino.Rotateobject (ThisObj(loopOdo),rotaxis(originpoint),multiplier(z)*angledeltas(loopOdo)(z),rotaxis)
end if
next
rhino.enableredraw True

toReturn(0)=True
DoRotate=toReturn

end function



'sort (using selection-sort algorithm, for now)
'Receives:
' -an array of arrays to synchronize (reflect the new sorting order)
' -an array of targets (3D points) to be sorted (bounding box handles)
' -an integer from 0 to 2 indicating which axis to sort
'Returns
' -(it rearranges the original arrays)
' -returns True if successful (otherwise Null)
function DoSortPT(ArraySync,ThisPoint,ThisAxis)

const val =0
const pos =1

dim LoopOuter
dim LoopInner
dim epsilon
dim lastObj
dim prerequisites

dim temp ()
dim test (1)
dim toReturn (1)

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ((vartype(ArraySync)<8000) or (vartype(ThisPoint)<8000) or vartype(ThisAxis)<>2 ) then
prerequisites=false
elseif (ubound(ThisPoint)<1) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(26)(0)
DoSortPT=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

epsilon=rhino.unitabsoluteTolerance
lastObj=ubound(ThisPoint)

'The <ThisPoint> has at least two elements
for LoopOuter=0 to lastObj
test(val)=ThisPoint(loopOuter)
test(pos)=loopOuter
for LoopInner=LoopOuter to lastObj
if ( (ThisPoint(LoopInner)(ThisAxis)) < test(val)(ThisAxis) ) then
test(val)=ThisPoint(LoopInner)
test(pos)=LoopInner

'If the position is identical on thisAxis then sort on the other axis
'elseif (abs(ThisPoint(LoopInner)(ThisAxis)-test(val))<epsilon) then
' to do

end if
next
ThisPoint(test(pos))=ThisPoint(LoopOuter)
ThisPoint(LoopOuter)=test(val)

'Synchronize the rest of the arrays
for loopInner=0 to ubound (arraySync)
test(val)=ArraySync(loopInner)(test(pos))
ArraySync(loopInner)(Test(pos))=ArraySync(loopInner)(LoopOuter)
ArraySync(loopInner)(LoopOuter)=test(val)
next
next

toReturn(0)=True
DoSortPT=toReturn

end function



'Receives:
' -an array of ObjectIDs
' -an array of transformation origin 3D points (corresponding to each ObjectID)
' -The axis to sort (this is a value 0,1 or 2)
' -a boolean (True will space equally by handlePoints, otherwise by the BoxEdges)
'Returns
' -an array of the necessary deltas that when applied to the transformation origin will make the objects equidistant or equispaced
function DoEquidistant(thisObj,BoxAttrib,ThisAxis,byHandles)

const span =0
const delta =1
const spacing =2
const cummul =3

const handlePT =0
const thick =1

dim test
dim loopOdo
dim LastObj
dim prerequisites

dim dist (3)
dim arraySync (1)
dim toReturn (1)
dim temp ()

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ((vartype(thisObj)<8000) or (vartype(BoxAttrib)<8000) or vartype(thisaxis)<>2 or vartype(byHandles)<>11 ) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(27)(0)
DoEquidistant=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

arraysync(0)=ThisObj
arraysync(1)=BoxAttrib(thick)
test=DoSortPT(ArraySync,BoxAttrib(HandlePT),ThisAxis)
ThisObj=arraysync(0)
BoxAttrib(thick)=arraysync(1)

if isNull(test(0)) then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=test(1) 'return the error code of sortPT
DoEquidistant=toReturn
exit function
end if

LastObj=ubound(ThisObj)
dist(span)=abs(BoxAttrib(HandlePT)(0)(ThisAxis)-BoxAttrib(HandlePT)(LastObj)(ThisAxis))
dist(spacing)=0

if byHandles<>True then 'spacing between bounting box edges instead of objects centers)
for loopOdo=0 to lastObj
dist(spacing)=dist(spacing)+BoxAttrib(thick)(loopOdo)(thisAxis)
next
dist(spacing)=dist(spacing)-BoxAttrib(thick)(0)(ThisAxis)/2 - BoxAttrib(thick)(lastObj)(ThisAxis)/2
end if
dist(spacing)=(dist(span)-dist(spacing))/lastObj
dist(cummul)= -1*BoxAttrib(thick)(0)(thisAxis)/2

'lastObj is also the number of segments
redim temp (LastObj)
toReturn(0)=temp
for loopOdo=0 to LastObj
if byHandles=True then 'spacing between object transformation points (instead of box edges)
dist(delta)=(dist(spacing)*loopOdo+BoxAttrib(HandlePT)(0)(ThisAxis)) - BoxAttrib(HandlePT)(LoopOdo)(ThisAxis)
else 'spacing between box edges
dist(cummul)=dist(cummul) + BoxAttrib(thick)(loopOdo)(ThisAxis)/2
dist(delta)=dist(cummul) + BoxAttrib(HandlePT)(0)(ThisAxis) - BoxAttrib(HandlePT)(LoopOdo)(ThisAxis)
dist(cummul)=dist(cummul) + BoxAttrib(thick)(loopOdo)(ThisAxis)/2 + dist(spacing)
end if
if thisAxis=0 then toreturn(0)(LoopOdo)=array(dist(delta),0,0)
if thisAxis=1 then toreturn(0)(LoopOdo)=array(0,dist(delta),0)
if thisAxis=2 then toreturn(0)(LoopOdo)=array(0,0,dist(delta))
next

DoEquidistant=toReturn
end function



'Receives
' -a string (Control surface ID)
' -an array of 3D handle points
' -a value 0 to 1 indicating a percentage of height of the surface bounding box that will act as the datum
' -a boolean to force boxZ values within the 0-1 range (otherwise datums are allowed to fall outside the surface box)
' -an array with view name and view cplane 3Dpoints
'Returns
' -an array of Z-deltas (from the surface-box datum level to the surface itself)
' -the sum of all Z-deltas
' -an array of distances from each handle point to the surface (ceiling)
function DoSurfaceDeltas(SurfID,HandlePT,BoxZ,BoxConstrain,TheView)

'make bounding box for SurfID to get max/min coordinates (surface footprint)
'corrolate the bounding box flat base to the UV space of the surface
'evaluate only the flux of handle-points that passes through the bounding box base.

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

const U =0
const V =1

const corner =0
const horiz =1

const origin =0
const antiOrigin =1
const maxU =2
const maxV =3
const minU =4
const minV =5

const onSurf =0

const name =0
const cplanepoints =1
const useworld =2

const Zdeltas =0
const sumDelta =1
const ceiling =2

dim loopOdo
dim HowMany
dim prerequisites

dim SurfBox
dim boxRange
dim surfPoint (3)
dim toReturn (2)
dim Point (0)
dim surfDomain (1)
dim surfParam (1)
dim SrfRange (1)
dim flip (2)
dim angle (1)
dim temp

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ((vartype(surfID)<>8) or (vartype(HandlePT)<8000) or (vartype(TheView)<8000) or vartype(boxConstrain)<>11 or _
vartype(boxZ)<2 or vartype(boxZ)>5) then
prerequisites=false
toReturn(1)=DoTell(28)(0)
end if

if not rhino.issurface(surfID) then
prerequisites=false
toReturn(1)=DoTell(31)(0)
end if

if rhino.issurfaceTrimmed (surfID) then
prerequisites=false
toReturn(1)=DoTell(32)(0)
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(Zdeltas)=Null
DoSurfaceDeltas=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

'BoxZ is a percentage of height
if (boxConstrain=true and boxZ>1) then boxZ=1
if (boxConstrain=true and boxZ<0) then boxZ=0

SurfBox=rhino.boundingbox (surfID,TheView(name),TheView(UseWorld))
BoxRange=array(surfbox(6)(x)-surfbox(0)(x),surfbox(6)(y)-surfbox(0)(y),surfbox(6)(z)-surfbox(0)(z))

surfDomain(U)=Rhino.SurfaceDomain(surfID, U)
surfDomain(V)=Rhino.SurfaceDomain(surfID, V)
SrfRange(U)=surfdomain(U)(1)-surfdomain(U)(0)
SrfRange(V)=surfdomain(V)(1)-surfdomain(V)(0)

SurfPoint(origin)=rhino.evaluateSurface (SurfID,array(SurfDomain(U)(0),SurfDomain(V)(0)))
SurfPoint (MaxU)=rhino.evaluateSurface (SurfID,array(SurfDomain(U)(1),SurfDomain(V)(0)))
SurfPoint (MaxV)=rhino.evaluateSurface (SurfID,array(SurfDomain(U)(0),SurfDomain(V)(1)))

SurfPoint(origin)=rhino.xformworldtocplane(SurfPoint(origin),theview(cplanepoints))
SurfPoint (MaxU)=rhino.xformworldtocplane(SurfPoint(MaxU),theview(cplanepoints))
SurfPoint (MaxV)=rhino.xformworldtocplane(SurfPoint(MaxV),theview(cplanepoints))


angle(corner)=DoVectorAngle(SurfPoint(MaxU),SurfPoint(MaxV),SurfPoint(origin),False,2)
angle(horiz)=DoVectorAngle(SurfPoint(MaxU),array(SurfPoint(origin)(x)+10,SurfPoint(origin)(y),SurfPoint(origin)(z)),SurfPoint(origin),False,2)

'rhino.addpoint SurfPoint(Origin) 'debug only
'rhino.print " db corner angle="&(angle(corner)) 'debug only
'rhino.print " db horiz angle="&(angle(horiz)) 'debug only
'rhino.print " OrigX="&SurfPoint(origin)(x)&" origY="&SurfPoint(origin)(y) 'debug only
'rhino.print " MaxX="&SurfPoint(MaxU)(x)&" MaxY="&SurfPoint(MaxV)(y) 'debug only
'rhino.print " RangeU="&SrfRange(U)&" RangeV="&SrfRange(V) 'debug only
'rhino.print " DomU max="&surfdomain(U)(1)&" DomU min="&surfdomain(U)(0) 'debug only
'rhino.print " DomV max="&surfdomain(V)(1)&" DomU min="&surfdomain(V)(0) 'debug only

flip(0)=array(0,0)
flip(1)=array(0,0)
flip(2)=array(x,y)
if (isNull(angle(corner))) then
toReturn(Zdeltas)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(33)(0)&" <"&theView(name)&">"
DoSurfaceDeltas=toReturn
exit function
elseif (isNull(angle(horiz))) then
toReturn(Zdeltas)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(34)(0)&" <"&theView(name)&">"
DoSurfaceDeltas=toReturn
exit function
elseif (abs(angle(corner))<80 or abs(angle(corner))>100) then
toReturn(Zdeltas)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(29)(0)
DoSurfaceDeltas=toReturn
exit function
elseif (abs(angle(horiz) mod 90)>5) then
toReturn(Zdeltas)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(30)(0)
DoSurfaceDeltas=toReturn
exit function
elseif (abs(angle(horiz)>(90-5)) and abs(angle(horiz)<(90+5))) then
'if U runs along the y axis then map U-->y and V-->x
flip(2)=array(y,x)
end if

if (SurfPoint(Origin)(flip(2)(x))-SurfPoint(MaxU)(flip(2)(x))<0) then flip(1)(U)=-1 else flip(1)(U)=1 end if
if (SurfPoint(Origin)(flip(2)(y))-SurfPoint(MaxV)(flip(2)(y))<0) then flip(1)(V)=-1 else flip(1)(V)=1 end if
flip(0)(U)=(flip(1)(U)+1)/2 'result is either 0 or 1
flip(0)(V)=(flip(1)(V)+1)/2 'result is either 0 or 1

HowMany=ubound(HandlePT)
redim temp (HowMany)
toReturn(Zdeltas)=temp
toReturn(ceiling)=temp
toreturn(sumdelta)=array(0)
toreturn(sumdelta)(0)=array(0,0,0)
rhino.enableredraw False
for loopOdo = 0 to HowMany
'Please wait message
if (loopodo mod 200)=0 then Rhino.print DoTell(03)(4)&(howmany-loopodo+1)&DoTell(03)(01)
if (rhino.currentview<>theview(name)) then rhino.currentview (theView(name))
'evaluate only points that are within the XY boundaries of the surface bounding box
if ((handlePT(loopOdo)(x)>SurfBox(0)(x) and handlePT(loopOdo)(x)<SurfBox(6)(x)) and _
(handlePT(loopOdo)(y)>SurfBox(0)(y) and handlePT(loopOdo)(y)<SurfBox(6)(y))) then
surfParam(U)=surfdomain(U)(0)+flip(1)(U)* (flip(0)(U)*SrfRange(U) - SrfRange(U)*(handlePT(loopOdo)(flip(2)(x))-surfbox(0)(flip(2)(x)))/BoxRange(flip(2)(x)))
surfParam(V)=surfdomain(V)(0)+flip(1)(V)* (flip(0)(V)*SrfRange(V) - SrfRange(V)*(handlePT(loopOdo)(flip(2)(y))-surfbox(0)(flip(2)(y)))/BoxRange(flip(2)(y)))
point(onSurf)=rhino.evaluateSurface (SurfID,SurfParam)
'rhino.addpoint (point(onsurf)) 'debug only
if Theview(Useworld)=False then point(onSurf)=rhino.xformworldtocplane(point(onSurf),theview(cplanepoints))
'Deltas are exclusively on the Z axis (relative to cplane)
toReturn(Zdeltas)(loopOdo)=array(0,0,point(onsurf)(z)-surfBox(0)(z)-(BoxZ*(surfBox(6)(z)-surfBox(0)(z))))
toReturn(ceiling)(loopOdo)=array(0,0,point(onsurf)(z)-handlePT(loopOdo)(z))
else
toReturn(Zdeltas)(loopOdo)=array(0,0,0)
toReturn(ceiling)(loopOdo)=array(0,0,0)
end if

toreturn(sumdelta)(0)(x)=toreturn(sumdelta)(0)(x)+toReturn(Zdeltas)(loopOdo)(x)
toreturn(sumdelta)(0)(y)=toreturn(sumdelta)(0)(y)+toReturn(Zdeltas)(loopOdo)(y)
toreturn(sumdelta)(0)(z)=toreturn(sumdelta)(0)(z)+toReturn(Zdeltas)(loopOdo)(z)
next
rhino.enableredraw True

DoSurfaceDeltas=toReturn
end function



'Receives
' -an array of strings (object IDs)
' -an array of 3D points (bounding box handles)
' -an array of 3D delta values (xyz)
' -an array of xyz real numbers as scale multipliers for each axis (array(1,1,1) leaves all axis unchanged)
' -an array with view name and view cplane 3Dpoints
'Returns
' -an array of the new (scaled) object IDs
function DoScale(ThisObj, HandlePT, deltas,axis,theView)

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

const name =0
const cplanePoints =1
const useworld =2

dim loopOdo
dim prerequisites
dim Howmany
dim oneDelta
dim origin

dim toReturn (1)
dim temp ()

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ((vartype(thisobj)<8000) or (vartype(handlePT)<8000) or (vartype(deltas)<8000) or (vartype(axis)<8000) or (vartype(theview)<8000) ) then
prerequisites=false
elseif (ubound(ThisObj)<>ubound(handlePT) or ubound(ThisObj)<>ubound(deltas) or ubound(axis)<2) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(48)(0)
DoScale=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

Howmany=ubound(handlePT)
redim temp(Howmany)
toreturn(0)=temp
rhino.enableredraw False

for loopOdo=0 to Howmany
'Please wait message
if (loopodo mod 200)=0 then Rhino.print DoTell(03)(3)&(howmany-loopOdo+1)&DoTell(03)(1)

if (rhino.currentview<>theview(name)) then rhino.currentview (theView(name))
'Scale of "1" implies no-change ( "0" collapses the object)
oneDelta=array(deltas(loopOdo)(x)*axis(x)+1,deltas(loopOdo)(y)*axis(y)+1,deltas(loopOdo)(z)*axis(z)+1)
'Note: rhino.Scale requires input in world coordinates for origin
origin=rhino.xformcplanetoworld (HandlePT(loopOdo),theView(cplanePoints))
'Note: rhino.Scale is based on the active contstruction plane
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)=rhino.ScaleObject(ThisObj(loopOdo),origin,onedelta)
next
rhino.enableredraw True

DoScale=toReturn
end function



'Receive
' -an array of hadle points
' -a three element (xyz) array of two element minmax arrays
' -an array holding the individual deltas
' -a three element array holding the total sum of all deltas in the x,y and z axis
' -a three element array indicating which axis to affect
'Return
' an array of the adjusted deltas
' Performs displacement without moving the outer objects
function DoProportionize(HandlePT,HandlePtMinMax,RawDeltas,SumDeltas,axisMulti)

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

const min =0
const max =1

dim prerequisites
dim epsilon
dim loopOdo
dim howmany
dim spike

dim from
dim scalar (2)
dim span (2)
dim toReturn (1)
dim temp ()

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ((vartype(HandlePT)<8000) or (vartype(HandlePtMinMax)<8000) or (vartype(rawdeltas)<8000) or (vartype(sumDeltas)<8000) or (vartype(axisMulti)<8000) ) then
prerequisites=false
elseif (ubound(handlePT)<>ubound(rawdeltas) or ubound(axisMulti)<2) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(49)(0)
DoProportionize=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

epsilon=rhino.unitabsoluteTolerance

spike=DoSpikeDeltas(HandlePT,HandlePtMinMax,RawDeltas,SumDeltas,axisMulti)
'using spans instead of absolute (can't assume that HandlePT is sorted and that the last is the furthest one)
span(x)=HandlePtMinMax(max)(x)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(x)
span(y)=HandlePtMinMax(max)(y)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(y)
span(z)=HandlePtMinMax(max)(z)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(z)

if (abs(span(x)+spike(0)(max)(x)-spike(0)(min)(x))>epsilon) then scalar(x)=span(x)/(span(x)+spike(0)(max)(x)-spike(0)(min)(x)) else scalar(x)=1
if (abs(span(y)+spike(0)(max)(y)-spike(0)(min)(y))>epsilon) then scalar(y)=span(y)/(span(y)+spike(0)(max)(y)-spike(0)(min)(y)) else scalar(y)=1
if (abs(span(z)+spike(0)(max)(z)-spike(0)(min)(z))>epsilon) then scalar(z)=span(z)/(span(z)+spike(0)(max)(z)-spike(0)(min)(z)) else scalar(z)=1
'rhino.print "db span after="&abs(span(x)+spike(0)(max)(x)-spike(0)(min)(x)) 'deb
'rhino.print "db spike min="&spike(0)(min)(x)&" spike max="&spike(0)(max)(x)

howmany=ubound(handlePt)
redim temp(howmany)
toreturn(0)=temp
from=array(0,0)
from(min)=array(0,0,0)
from(max)=array(0,0,0)

for loopOdo=0 to howmany
from(Min)(x)=(handlePT(loopOdo)(x)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(x))
from(Min)(y)=(handlePT(loopOdo)(y)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(y))
from(Min)(z)=(handlePT(loopOdo)(z)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(z))
toreturn(0)(loopOdo)=array(RawDeltas(loopOdo)(x),RawDeltas(loopOdo)(y),RawDeltas(loopOdo)(z))
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(x)=scalar(x)*(from(Min)(x)-spike(0)(min)(x)+axisMulti(x)*rawDeltas(loopOdo)(x))-from(Min)(x)
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(y)=scalar(y)*(from(Min)(y)-spike(0)(min)(y)+axisMulti(y)*rawDeltas(loopOdo)(y))-from(Min)(y)
toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(z)=scalar(z)*(from(Min)(z)-spike(0)(min)(z)+axisMulti(z)*rawDeltas(loopOdo)(z))-from(Min)(z)
'toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(y)=scalar(y)*(from(Min)(y)+axisMulti(y)*rawDeltas(loopOdo)(y))-from(Min)(y)
'toReturn(0)(loopOdo)(z)=scalar(z)*(from(Min)(z)+axisMulti(z)*rawDeltas(loopOdo)(z))-from(Min)(z)
next

DoProportionize=toReturn
end function



'Receives
' -an array of hadle points
' -a three element (xyz) array of two element minmax arrays
' -an array holding the individual deltas
' -a three element array holding the total sum of all deltas in the x,y and z axis
' -a three element array indicating which axis to affect
'Returns
' -a two element array of xyz min-max delta spikes
'(if a delta is added to a handlePT how far will it protrude beyond the current boundaries of the cluster)
function DoSpikeDeltas(HandlePT,HandlePtMinMax,RawDeltas,SumDeltas,axisMulti)

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

const min =0
const max =1

dim howmany
dim loopOdo
dim adjustedDelta
dim from

dim span (2)
dim toReturn (1)
dim temp ()

'use spans instead of absolute (can't assume that HandlePT is sorted and that the last is the furthest one)
span(x)=HandlePtMinMax(max)(x)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(x)
span(y)=HandlePtMinMax(max)(y)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(y)
span(z)=HandlePtMinMax(max)(z)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(z)

howmany=ubound (HandlePT)
redim temp(1)
toReturn(0)=temp
from=temp
toReturn(0)(min)=array(abs(sumdeltas(0)(x)),abs(sumdeltas(0)(y)),abs(sumdeltas(0)(z)))
toReturn(0)(max)=array(-abs(sumdeltas(0)(x)),-abs(sumdeltas(0)(y)),-abs(sumdeltas(0)(z)))
from(min)=array(0,0,0)
from(max)=array(span(x),span(y),span(z))

for loopOdo=0 to howmany
from(Min)(x)=(handlePT(loopOdo)(x)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(x))
from(Min)(y)=(handlePT(loopOdo)(y)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(y))
from(Min)(z)=(handlePT(loopOdo)(z)-HandlePtMinMax(min)(z))
from(Max)(x)=span(x)-from(min)(x)
from(Max)(y)=span(y)-from(min)(y)
from(Max)(z)=span(z)-from(min)(z)

adjustedDelta=array(axisMulti(x)*RawDeltas(loopOdo)(x),axisMulti(y)*RawDeltas(loopOdo)(y),axisMulti(z)*RawDeltas(loopOdo)(z))
'maxima
if (from(Min)(x)+adjustedDelta(x)>(span(x)+toReturn(0)(max)(x))) then toReturn(0)(max)(x)=from(Min)(x)+adjustedDelta(x)-span(x)
if (from(Min)(y)+adjustedDelta(y)>(span(y)+toReturn(0)(max)(y))) then toReturn(0)(max)(y)=from(Min)(y)+adjustedDelta(y)-span(y)
if (from(Min)(z)+adjustedDelta(z)>(span(z)+toReturn(0)(max)(z))) then toReturn(0)(max)(z)=from(Min)(z)+adjustedDelta(z)-span(z)
'minima
if (from(Min)(x)+adjustedDelta(x)<(toReturn(0)(min)(x))) then toReturn(0)(min)(x)=from(Min)(x)+adjustedDelta(x)
if (from(Min)(y)+adjustedDelta(y)<(toReturn(0)(min)(y))) then toReturn(0)(min)(y)=from(Min)(y)+adjustedDelta(y)
if (from(Min)(z)+adjustedDelta(z)<(toReturn(0)(min)(z))) then toReturn(0)(min)(z)=from(Min)(z)+adjustedDelta(z)
'rhino.print "db "&from(Min)(x)+adjustedDelta(x)&" >"&span(x)+toReturn(0)(max)(x)
next

DoSpikeDeltas=toReturn
end function



'Dot product
'requires:
' -invcos
'Receives:
' -a 3d point (the tip of the first vector)
' -a 3d point (the tip of the second vector)
' -a 3d point (the origin of the two vectors)
' -a boolean to turn radians on-off
' -the axis to project the vectors to (Null turns this option off)
'Returns:
' -the angle between the two vectors
function DoVectorAngle(a,b,origin,inRad,projectTo)
const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

dim TempA(2),TempB(2),magA,MagB,theProduct,epsilon
dim prerequisites

'->Check prerequisites
prerequisites=true
if ((vartype(a)<8000) or (vartype(b)<8000) or (vartype(origin)<8000) or (vartype(inRad)<>11) ) then
prerequisites=false
elseif (ubound(a)<2 or ubound (b)<2 or ubound(origin)<2) then
prerequisites=false
end if

if prerequisites=false then
toReturn(0)=Null
toReturn(1)=DoTell(50)(0)
DoVectorAngle=toReturn
exit function
end if
'<--

epsilon=rhino.unitabsoluteTolerance

if (not isnull(projectTo)) then
if (projectTo>=0 and projectTo<=2) then
a(projectTo)=origin(projectTo)
b(projectTo)=origin(projectTo)
end if
end if

if (isarray(a) and isarray(b) and isarray(origin)) then
TempA(x)=a(x)-origin(x)
TempA(y)=a(y)-origin(y)
TempA(z)=a(z)-origin(z)
TempB(x)=b(x)-origin(x)
TempB(y)=b(y)-origin(y)
TempB(z)=b(z)-origin(z)
magA=sqr(TempA(x)^2+TempA(y)^2+TempA(z)^2)
magB=sqr(TempB(x)^2+TempB(y)^2+TempB(z)^2)

if (magA<epsilon or magB<epsilon) then
DoVectorAngle=Null
exit function
end if

theProduct=TempA(x)*TempB(x)+TempA(y)*TempB(y)+TempA(z)*TempB(z)
DoVectorAngle=DoInvCos((theProduct/(magA*magB)),inRad)
else
DoVectorAngle=Null
end if
end function



'inverse cosine
'Receives
' -the angle (in radians or degrees)
' -a boolean to turn radians on-off
'returns:
' -radians if input is radians, returns degrees if input is degrees
function DoInvCos(x,inRad)
dim pi
pi=atn(1)*4
if (x<>1 and x<>-1) then DoInvCos=Atn(-X / Sqr(-(X^2) + 1)) + 2 * Atn(1)
if (x=1) then DoInvCos=0
if (x=-1) then DoInvCos=pi
if (inRad=False) then DoInvCos=180*DoInvCos/pi
end function



'Receives
' -Version number to check
'Returns
' -True or False if current version is newer (or the same).
function DoVersionCheck(desiredVersion)
If (clng(Rhino.Version) < clng(desiredVersion)) then
Rhino.print DoTell(20)(0)&DoTell(35)(0)&" <"&clng(desiredVersion)&"> "&DoTell(35)(1)&"("&DoTell(35)(2)&Rhino.Version&")."
DoVersionCheck=false
else
DoVersionCheck=True
end if
end function



'Receives
' -Nothing
'Returns
' -the default values for the <UserSays> array
function DoGetDefaults(choice)
'ToDo: Save/Restore defaults from document
const every =-1
const TargetObjects =0
const Surface =1
const NoAction =2
const Equidist =3
const Align =4
const Displace =5
const Rotate =6
const Scale =7
const Jitter =8
const Handle =9
const SurfaceDatum =10

dim SuggestDefault(10)

'Defaults
'[True/False]
SuggestDefault(NoAction) =array(true)

'[axis,Handles/Boxedges]
if (choice=every or choice=equidist) then _
SuggestDefault(Equidist) =array(false,true)

'[alignTo,distance] (alignTo=0,1,2,Surface,False)
if (choice=every or choice=Align) then _
SuggestDefault(Align) =array(false,0)

'[x,y,z,surf,constrain]
if (choice=every or choice=Displace) then _
SuggestDefault(Displace) =array(0,0,0,false,false)

'[x,y,z,surf]
if (choice=every or choice=Rotate) then _
SuggestDefault(Rotate) =array(0,0,0,false)

'[x,y,z,surf]
if (choice=every or choice=Scale) then _
SuggestDefault(Scale) =array(0,0,0,false)

'[x,y,z,surf][x,y,z,surf][x,y,z,surf],[default (value from 0 to 3)]
if (choice=every or choice=Jitter) then _
SuggestDefault(Jitter) =array(array(0,0,0,false),array(0,0,0,false),array(0,0,0,false),3)

'[x,y,z]
if (choice=every or choice=Handle) then _
SuggestDefault(Handle) =array(0.5,0.5,0.5)

if (choice=every or choice=SurfaceDatum) then _
SuggestDefault(SurfaceDatum)=array(0)

if (choice=every) then DoGetDefaults=SuggestDefault else DoGetDefaults=SuggestDefault(choice)

end function



'Receives
' -The current state of the userSays array
' -a string indicating the summary format/style to use
'Returns
' -a string for display of only the active features selected by the user
function DoSummary(userSays,SummaryType)

const Surface =1
const NoAction =2
const Equidist =3
const Align =4
const Displace =5
const Rotate =6
const Scale =7
const Jitter =8
const Handle =9
const SurfaceDatum =10

const x =0
const y =1
const z =2

const MainMenu =7
const SubMenu =8

dim act
dim TempString
dim toReturn (1)

if not isarray(usersays) then
toReturn(0)=null
toReturn(1)=""
DoSummary=toReturn
exit function
end if

act=0 'counts the requested actions

Select case SummaryType

case DoTell(04)(0) 'Main Menu
toReturn(0)=DoTell(10)(0)
if DidRequested(Equidist,usersays)(0) then
tempString=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(Equidist)(0),array(0,1,2),DoTell(09),true)(0)
toReturn(0)=toReturn(0)&" ["&DoTell(MainMenu)(0)&"="&tempString&","
tempstring=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(equidist)(1),DoTell(11),array(true,false),false)(0)
toReturn(0)=toReturn(0)&tempstring&"]"
act=act+1
end if
if DidRequested(Align,usersays)(0) then
tempString=DoSwapEquivalent(usersays(align)(0),DoAppend(array(DoTell(10)(5),DoTell(10)(4)),DoTell(09))(0),array(0,1,2,3,false),false)(0)
toReturn(0)=toReturn(0)&" ["&DoTell(MainMenu)(1)&"="&tempString
if usersays(Align)(0)<>3 then toReturn(0)=toReturn(0)&","&userSays(align)(1)
toReturn(0)=toReturn(0)&"] "
act=act+1
end if
if DidRequested(Displace,usersays)(0) then
toReturn(0)=toReturn(0)&" ["&DoTell(MainMenu)(2)&"="&usersays(Displace)(x)&"

the thought that that has something to do with architecture depresses me.

what the fuck does computer programming have to do with architecture???????

what a waste of time.

I've been wondering too - but then I think about the hand drafting skills I love, and how I feel they directly relate to architecture through the understanding of the body's relationship to/manipulation of material (paper and lead, ink, whatever).

So if the construction world really does move deeply to more computer fabrication, which is sure as hell seems to be doing, doesn't understanding the language of the programs relate to the built object in the same way as hand drafting does to building with a 2x4?

I'd actually enjoy a discussion on this topic but I'm off to the historic commission - maybe I'll ask them if I should write a script for my submission?

when drafting by hand, you don't need to know how to make the pencil, the pen or the paper. so why does using a computer require knowing how to write a program???

make your own pen from a quill, doesn't make a better building. this is a discussion that I've never heard in architecture schools. every scripter just assumes that this is a good way to 'create' architecture. They've lost how a body or tree relates to space. If only greg lynn, brahm shidel, winka, or any of the other guity parties would actually talk about this, then maybe we'd have hope of creating a generation of architecture students that understand creating architecture more then computer games.

Ok, I'm not saying the sky is falling or that architecture is dead, but this is a major failure of arch ed today.

(and no, parametrics aren't the answer either.)

does it leak?

I thought this was a thread about oxycontin.

You wouldn't make a pencil necessarily, but I'll bet you've used a drafting machine or at least a mayline or a straight-edge or compass. All things that are simply extensions of your tool used to facilitate tasks that your tool doesn't do well alone. An even better example would be a carpenter or fabricator making and using a jig make parts that require repetition, relative complexity, and precision.

swamprat is asking for a tool to do something that, if done "by hand" in the computer would be ridiculously time consuming at best and impossibly complex at worst. So what do you do if you're tool is a computer and you want to make it do something that it doesn't already do? You build a jig.

And every scripter does not assume that this is a better way to make architecture. Most scripters have simply made a choice to design in a certain way, and they want to advance that choice as much as possible. I could say that every old school hand-drafter assumes that drafting by hand is a better way to make architecture.

Correction: "making and using a jig TO make parts that require repetition ..."

Treekiller, i will attribute your lack of understanding of the power of codeing to a general lack of experience and exposure to the actual process of coding.

first off, the process of coding requires an understanding of a given language, and the ability to think through the arrangement and composition of that language to reach an original goal. Through trial and error, you subtract and add and revise, with each step getting closer to achieving the effect you set out for

second, the powerful potential of what could be done with computer programing is only limited by our own intellectual limitations.
anything at all is possible.
i dont see how there is some profound failure in the arch education system when they dont discourage the use of the most powerful tool humans have yet developed.

lastly,
to argue that architects should enforce our own ignorance by ignoring the responsability to understand how our systems work is completely counter to what our process should be.

how many good buildings will we do with the attitude, i dont care how it works, just that it does. where is the progress in that idea?

lb, although i don't yet fully grasp the merit of scripting in relation to architecture, i will say that it is discussed quite frequently. i think i must have heard the digi vs hand drawing debate at least 10 times so far, and frankly, im bored with it.

i think the debate is more in the realm of intensive vs extensive properties of materials. lynn, de landa, etc. are arguing for the intensive understanding of materials through the use of software and scripting (this would take some elaboration, but i don't have the time or complete understanding yet). so you could argue that there is just as much a manipulation of materials through scripting than there is through hand drawing, just a different type of manipulation and different understanding.

i dont totally buy it, but agree or disagree, its being talked about... a lot.

Nice post, lletdownl.

dot, thanks for yours too. Since I am so far out of academia (and typically ignore the Rhino v. Maya et al discussions here since they are over my head) I don't hear the discussion, but I should take it upon myself to learn more about it as I'm glad it's going on.

I'm definitely not saying we should all be hand drafting, I'm just saying I can see a direct relationship between hand drafting and making architecture via hand craft. I see people employing passion in the creation of architecture, then I hear lletdownl speak with passion about programming and see that there must be a connection, I just don't have any direct experience with it as it relates to using the computer's abilities towards a built work (beyond using CAd to draft a set of cd's).

I absolutely support using the most advanced tools available in all human pursuits, but! I also can't get beyond a deep belief that we need to know our history. As treekiller implied, I think every work af architecture starts with an understanding of body in space. My very shallow knowledge of what is being taught in arch schools today seems to reveal that the very basic discussions of body and material are not being as integrated into creating form as I believe they should be.

I'd love to hear from anyone how they see programming and body/material relate, or good suggestions as to where I can find them.

your right, there is definetly a group of people in practice and in academia who have become so enamered (sp?) with the possibilities of digital form finding that they have lost sight of what makes form in architecture effective, beyond sculpture.

that is the wrong approach, and is where much of the negativity towards programing might come from. people see lynch, and to a large extent in my oppinion, ghery, who seem to have taken form finding and made the exercise architecture, and they are rightfully frustrated by an apparent lack of content.

the thing they dont see is programing allows us to do much more than find form. it can create completely interactive space, where the body inhabiting the space actually affects the space. To put it over simply, the input is the body, and the output is the space.
it can allow a building to constantly adjust based on any million number of inputs; intensity of light, lack of light, heat, cold, traffic noise, population,pollution, density, light, air, time of day.
it has the potential to create a truly dynamic architecture, one even more representative of modern societies needs for balance

does anyone else see the similarity between aproaching a coding problem and a design problem as very very similar?

actually thats a dumb question for me to ask, because isnt a coding problem inherently a design problem?

lletdownl, you posted this above:

[i[Through trial and error, you subtract and add and revise, with each step getting closer to achieving the effect you set out for[/i]

which is about coding but is totally an approach to a design problem.

When the design problem in question is architecture, that's when I think bigger issues like usability, structure, culture, longevity of materials etc. - firmness commodity delight - need to come into play. But yes it's all design.

Damn screwed up the italics - I'm no coder!

I'm not letdown. My criticism is based on too great a familiarity with the process and pedagogy of how scripting is used in arch schools today. I've seen coding by the best and it still isn't architecture.

Back in undergrad, we didn't have to make our own maylines. the cad class was programing your very own drafting software from scratch- half my classmates still work for auto-des-sys, and no, they don't understand scale or space.

At my ivy league grad school, I saw how much effort was being put into generating 10 gazillion variations of the same effect and leaving the actual 'design' to either randomly or arbitrality chosing one variation for the next step. Editing is not designing. neither is cut and paste. it feels that most of the 'scripters' at penn/columbia/harvard/et al, are monkeys pounding randomly away at a typewriter hoping that eventually they'll create a sonate.

language = architecture, cool lets discuss that next.

the computer is powerful- yes indeed. But most of what I see 'coders/scripters' make in grad school make isn't architecture. Some of it is beautiful, some of it is poetic, but it isn'tarchitecture[sorry for shouting].

This is where the lack of a critical discussion comes in. There is an ethical aspect to teaching that most of these digiaratii fail to grasp. If I only heard delanda or ali rahim (I could go on with this list) discuss 'what is architecture', instead of 'look at what I got the computer to do today', then I wouldn't be frothing at the mouth over utility of teaching scripting.

Parametrics is much more directly applicable to our production of architecture - and doesn't require learning how to script. Leave the programming to the computer jocks, website designers, hollywood animators and scientists. We're architects- so lets focus on what architecture is and isn't. Don't teach crap that is obsolete before somebody graduates and won't put bacon on their plate.

Treekiller, did you just up and invoke the Infinite Monkey Theorem?

Well played, my friend.

yeah,



i did...

Scripts? Haven't a clue.
Parametrics? Currently using.
Next project? Hand drafting and chipboard models.

Gonna roll old school.

treekiller, apologies for the harshness of my first post, i was not having a good day at that point.

what i am talking about is a tool.
i agree with you 100%, as i meant to make clear in my last post, that form finding that your describing is not architecture. when the computer creates the architecture, obviously that can not be architecture. maya cant understand symbols, societies complexities, and all the other integral human aspects of good architecture.

scripters can however, create frameworks for a solution and simulate possible outcomes that can positively influence the completed project

scripters can also refine subjective data to its essential elements to help describe what is fact in it. (though this is a whole bag of worms, who desides what is the essential ellements of subjective analysis anyway?)
scripters can also influence the use and actualy physical feel of a project by translating human activity into visual, audio, tactile, any number of other outputs and responses.

llet me know when scripters achieve that level of skill to create architecture. Until then, the schools are just teaching them how to create stuff for 'all those fancy graphics lovers'.

Maybe one semester of playing with simulations and social modeling tools (aka winka's world) is beneficial. Problems exist when students get three years of this stuff (aka the paperless studio) and never explore other methods or techniques for developing a project or hear the discussion about is this architecture.

well, feel lucky that you werent so unfortunate as to have been so ill served by your education.

i took all the electives i could on the subject and have found it very helpful.
i dont do architecture problems based on code
but i think its short sighted to so quickly and completley dismiss it as bunk


you seem to be unable to grasp the idea that there is a space between scripting an entire project, and using coded programs as an aid in design, there is a profound difference

i won't comment on the ability of scripting to be a helpful tool or not because i've never used the programs for which this is relevant. what i will comment on is the value of this kind of work in the profession-at-large.

i posted a quote a few months ago that was an admittedly cynical take on architecture education, but which had some truth in it:

architecture school is somewhat like rock star school. you're trained for a job that only exists in a few circumstances, usually at the offices of starchitects. architectural practice, however, is actually part of the construction industry. the character of the work is completely different from what school prepares you for. while i'm actually in favor of the disjunction, that's ONLY because i think that school is the time to figure out 'why' instead of 'how'.

scripting/modeling/nurbs/etc are a 'how', not a 'why'. and in non-starchitect practice there is very little use for them.

downl to the wire with this one.

from what I saw at presentations/reviews the discussion almost never engaged the qualities of the space created from the code. yes there is a profound difference and that I what makes me so frothy over this subject. Maybe IIT does it right (and that's the difference), but what I saw at the ivies still feels wrong.

All my grad electives were spent meeting the requirements for my m.arch and m.la. so ok, i never took one of those studios, but I sat next to them several times (which is almost as good).

today i created a chandelier by arraying some 300 LED's along the surface of a Klein bottle. people liked it and i have no guilt.

"what the fuck does computer programming have to do with architecture???????"

good lord..don't get you panties in a wad guys. What does a pencil have to do with architecture?

You tell us, perturbanist: what does a pencil have to do with architecture?

I stated my ideas above: I see a direct relationship between hand drawing and architecture because both are manipulating materials in space. I'm looking for ideas regarding how scripting might similarly relate to constructing the built environment. My panties are nice and neat, I just want to hear discussion: can you expand on your thoughts?

I see a direct relationship between copmuter drawing and architecture because both are manipulating materials in space. I'm looking for ideas regarding how pencils might similarly relate to constructing the built environment. My panties are nice and neat, I just want to hear discussion: can you expand on your thoughts?

To be exceptionally narrow about it:

A pencil is an object with a function (program) that needs to work (utility), it is constructed of dissimilar materials that need to come together (structure) to function towards an end use. As an example of materials existing in space, its simple and clear.

How is manipulating digital information material?

If youre saying the pencil is an example of materials existing in space (which it is) then why isnt the computer mouse or graphics tablet, or the keyboard im typing on now an example as well. They all serve as inputs that function towards an end use. What you are saying is that because the input causes the creation of digital information rather than a mark on a sheet of paper, it actually doesnt exist? Digital information through the interface of various inputs is material in the same way that the mark on a sheet of paper by the interface of a pencil is.

I think this conversation has become bogged down in rhetoric of whether or not scripting is in fact architecture. By itself, of course not. Can it be used as a tool in the process of creating architecture? Why not?? I think also a lot of people are thinking about scripting in a soley algorithmic or generative design way. Scripting is also used to automate repititive tasks, it allows you to add ways of working that the program itself is not capable of. It is not solely a "form finding" method. I agree that scripting for making "sexy forms" is not doing anything to progress the profession.

However, I think there are people working in a much more advanced way with scripting. A more interesting way to think about it is how can these be used as a process in becoming organizational strategies, or in spatial, performative and material ways. Look at ReD's work. I think their project for the kunsthaus graz exhibition was quite interesting.

I think a frivolous argument over whether scripting is architecture or not isnt necessary. No, it is not by any means. It is another tool, just like the pencil, in allowing us to explore possibilities.

Allow myself to introduce...myself. I am RimJoist. I, too, enjoy using a pencil. When travelling, I often enthusiastically proclaim in the local language: "Hello. I have a big red pencil".

Good post, Clemson. I am definitely not saying that digital information doesn't exist. I'm saying I intuitively understand a direct connection between hand drawing and building, and I'm looking for those with experience to explain to me where they see the material connection between digital input and building.

I think digital information is incredibly powerful and interesting as a tool. But I won't agree that it is material. Otherwise, I agree with everything you said, and especially that yes this discussion is much too easily bogged down.

The biggest difference that I have found is that with digital:

1. There is a neglect of scale due to the ability to zoom.

2. The increased lack of differentiation between a poorly crafted drawing and a quality drawing (a straight line in pen #1 looks the same no matter who draws it).

3. The fact that with pencil/paper drawing you are looking at the whole drawing as you draw as opposed to zooming in and out of pieces of it.

But, I will say that I have never written a script beyond making library parts nor (obviously) used one in design.

What is the material connection between the pencil and the environment?

Everything but my thoughts, including my brain is nothing other than a prosthetic. That includes my hands, body, my pencil and my mouse. Does this clear up your 'connection' disconnection?

I am simply choosing to use every tool available to me to create an better environment, rather than the serindipity of the pencil.

What I am intuitively saying is that there is no way that modernism was a good thing for the environment, period! Face the facts, we as architects f'd up. If you object to this you are completely delirious.

If I have to use computer scripting to control the parameters of an object just so,-- in effect to optimize it --yes I'm going to become a computer programming geek. I'm simply tired of people crying about it scripts, and so naively saying they are good for nothing but cool forms.

give me any of these tools and the result will still be less than extraordinary!!!

Dear Friends,

Only God knows the script and he's not telling!

With Love,

eb

I think this conversation is getting a bit too PhD (ish). Come on guys – a pencil, a computer, a keyboard – they are all utilities we use to create something.

And the scripting subject – aren't we talking about something as simple as an extension to a program? You can look at it this way. You buy a software program (Dreamweaver) and the user is trying to create a dynamic site that allows users to sort on column headings for a table you created. Rather than hand coding the solution (the key here is buy before build) you buy the Dreamweaver extension for $29. But what if the functionality you want hasn't been created? Then you hand code. Nevertheless, these extensions are not a necessity – they are usually "cool to have" kinds of things that might provide a need or a service. If someone has the skill set to create a script to get the program to fulfill a requirement, what's wrong with that?

And there you have it – a standard set of reusable components hopefully extended enough to meet your needs. If the standard set does not meet your needs, and an extension is not available, then build it (and they will come):)