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Plugins and Scripts > trueSpace > Modeling - Lathe

NEW Lathe Tool for trueSpace7.61

Lathe tool for workspace based on the Radial Array 2 tool found on the truespace utilities page.

persistent base install required

A version comes pre-installed in the Unofficial trueSpace Updates - https://www.united3dartists.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=55

Installation:

  1. install the persistent base if not already installed
  2. drag the node into the link editor
  3. delete the node from the scene after install is complete
lathe

Usage:

  • Make a polygon selection and push the button to get a preview of the lathe.
  • Axis buttons( X, Y, Z ) set the orientation of the sweep array.
  • Num Copies determines the number of sweeps
  • Angle determines the arc angle for the sweeps.
  • Set radius is a 3 step process
    • Get - read the current radius value as a starting point
    • update the Radius value
    • Set - apply the radius change to the Center Control
  • Top Radius is used to spiral in or out from the center.
  • "=" gets the radius and copies the value into the top radius
  • Height controls the offset from the plane of the array for spiral effects
  • Select Center Control button will select the handle that controls the center location for the array
  • Open in Link Editor - open a link editor window for unsticking controls if needed.
  • Commit Lathe convert the array into a series of sweeps. The result is lathed geometry.
  • Cancel Stop lathe and remove working geometry.
you tube here

Notes:

  • X and Y, works best with face selection in z direction
  • X and Y can have some twisting in cross sections
  • Use Open Link Editor to unstick when reopening a scene with an uncommited lathe node
  • A Top Radius negative value means "Off"
  • A Height of 0 combined with 360 degree Angle will result in the shape closing in on itself.
  • closed lathe via heal vertices - distance 0.01, for extremely small objects make lathe just short of 360 degrees to avoid over merging of vertices
  • uses up a number of undos with the commit using up a large number of undo steps

June 15, 2021

  • uses up fewer undos
  • updated UI
  • button to copy radius value to top radius
  • updated the installer
  • based on UU version which clears undo history

October 9, 2019

  • add cancel button
  • cleanup markers if deleted without commiting to a lathe action
  • Oct 10 fixed error in commit

October 8, 2019

  • fixed bug - was not fully written to work with meshes wih zero rotations
  • autofacet/smooth the lathe geometry 35 degrees
  • better cross section orientations
  • angle scrubber can go negative
  • fix bug can now close lathe with negative 360 angle

September 28, 2019

  • persistent installer
  • name node lathe instead of radial
  • angle scrubber can go negative - value of 0 converted to 1.0 internally
  • marker lines through the sweep centers
  • can set radius directly
  • smoother operation - no jumping preview or sticky controls
  • meshes can have rotations

December 1 2012:

  • autoload, unique button id
December 31, 2010
back to the trueSpace Modeling Plugins and Scripts list
June 5, 2013