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With the onset of Fz9, it's variations and all the newness it brings, it is also nice to wake up to the new slick web-site too. After a time of stagnation, it makes me happy to see the new drive which I hope brings success. Well done AutoDesSys 👏 Des

Hello all, My first attempt at a fZ/python script. (this is an Alpha and has known issues. ToDo List at the bottom of this message.) File attached. What is Match? Match will scale objects to match the Boundary Length (not yet functional), Area, or Volume. Not the bounding dimensions. Either Source/Master objects or a direct value in the UI can be used to determine the Target object sizes. Scaling is also allowed. Such as 1.5 x or .3333 of the Master. Match, is shape/form agnostic. That is, it doesn't care what the Target, nor Master shapes are, it will work as long as they have the topology you are trying to Match. i.e. a open poly line does not have a volume, so the script will not work if attempted. (currently, if an error is raised, nothing happens, including no indication of the error) A surface objects area could be matched to the surface of a Solid, if you have a reason to do that, and visa versa. Likewise a surface objects length can be matched to a open or closed line form and visa versa. Hope this is useful for someone besides myself. --------------------------- To use: (if the .pyc file doesn't work on a PC, let me know, I will provide the source if need be) Manually Install the script in the scripts folder (as far as I can tell, this cannot be in a sub-folder) Abstract case: Select the objects. Currently, Last object created will act as the Master/Source. All other objects selected will act as Targets. (This will be fixed in the future) So, cut and paste the object you want to be the master, so that fZ regards it as the last object in the modeling buffer. This will be fixed in the future. Here are three arbitrary objects all with differing Volumes. The Pyramidal shape will be the Master, as it is the last object created. Master. Target Target 1. Select the objects you want to transform as well as the Master. 2. Chose, Extension/Run Utility, Navigate to the Match.pyc script. the following dialog should appear. Select your options, In, this case, I am going to match the Volume Topology of the Pyramidal shape, with no scaling. Click the OK button, Now the objects all have the same Volumes. Note 1: the surface areas are all different, while the Volumes all "Match" TODO List. (I will need the API Documentation to finish) • Change UI to make sense. The order of the UI is a little awkward right now. • User configurable Units (currently only Imperial Units work and in Feet Only) (really only matters when inputing size manually into the UI. If matching to an existing volume, works as expected) • Use Pick Order (currently, the last object created is the Master that all other objects picked gets matched to) (Allow User to have first picked or Last Picked to be the Master by UI Choice) • Minor issue with the Volume, does not always make a perfect match. is sometimes off by a few thousands. (I do know how to fix it... just need to jump on it) • Undo doesn't work, Not sure if that is my problem or something • Clean up and Document Code The script was built from what I could glean from the examples provided by ADS. Realistically, this is a simple project, however it does hint at the power of what can be done. The future is bright! Next, I will show some examples of Why you would want to use it. Match.pyc

How I use Example 1: this is still a WIP, but should suffice as a concrete example. Will stop pestering all of you now.

Example 2, without directions, as hopefully, it is now clear what the script is for. Here is a real world example. of matching a volume to a pre-specified volume via the UI. Was given the requirement that the balloon have a specific Volume. Enough to carry the weight of the basket, passengers, and the balloon itself. But not so big, that it became cost prohibitive to build. The actual volume was provided. (I used the same math to figure this out, as the script did not exist 15 years ago, but planted the seed for the script) Other Balloons for the same client, only Sylvester got built, albeit pupils in the wrong spot, and he decided not to put the tongue on.

Example Usage 1. Intake/Exhaust using Cross sections to generate final object. Here is the final object. This object has the same cross section throughout, regardless of the cross section shape. Except the final rectangle, it is reduced 75% of the intake (cropped circle). The Following is how I built it using the Match Script. First I created the rough source shapes, with no regard to their areas, and placed them roughly where I wanted them. There are 3 circles in the center, to help the loft tool maintain the desired cross section (can get a little wonky when changing shape types. it will bulge if only 2 circles are used.) Making sure the master shape is the last one created, I cut and paste one of the intake shapes (again, the cropped circle) Select all the objects I want to scale to the same area as the intake (all except the last of exhaust rectangles, I am saving that for another operation) Launch the script from the Extensions/Run Utility Menu Select Topology/surface. scale 1.0 Click OK. Areas of the 6 objects now match the intake. I repeat the process again, but this time only select the intake cross (it is still the last object created) section and the final exhaust port cross section. Run the script again and change the following settings: Topology/Surface. and Scale to .75 Click OK. Select the cross sections in order and apply the loft tool. more advanced examples.

form•Z free v9 is available today (Click Here). formZ Student and Faculty Edition (SE) v9 is also available (Click Here). Existing form•Z SE users will receive an email in the next few days with download instructions.

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Great work Chris! Thanks for sharing.

Good idea! But I also think just having a web app that worked on Chrome would provide the most users with this ability no matter the platform. Moving away from all things Apple only makes sense for any 3d design professional since they stopped supporting some of their biggest brand champions. After a dozen years or so of owning all Apple products, I made the same switch last year. Android Pixel phones on Google Fi are amazing and even got an awesome Android Shield TV. They compliment my Windows 10 workstation I built and couldn't be happier with. Windows 10 has probably been the best surprise, as it's so much more MacOS like than the earlier boring and ugly Windows. Make the jump! You'll be happy that you did as Apple continues toward stupidity without Jobs.