Function Sculptor

By Sword of Apollo · 2012-07-26

Version: 1.0
Version requirement: Only tested on 3ds Max 2012, but should also work for other recent versions.
Date updated: 2012-07-25
Votes: 3
Homepage: http://science-games-architecture.blogspot.com/
Download: Download

Description

zOffset = x^2-y^2

Function Sculptor is a scripted plugin that deforms meshes, polys or splines according to an arbitrary, user-input function. This allows easy creation of an endless variety of smooth, precisely curved surfaces. It also enables the mathematically precise curving of splines for extrusions, path-deforms and lofts.

It uses the world-x, y, and z coordinates of points to displace those points in world-z.

Editable spline shape with 2 sub-splines, before and after sculpt:
zOffset = x^2

The script manipulates splines' in-vectors and out-vectors (vertex handles) appropriately to give a smoothly curved spline that follows the function graph.

Simply type in the function as you would in a graphing calculator and hit the Sculpt button.

zOffset = sin(x)*sin(y)

Maximum and minimum displacement options allow you to control how far points can be displaced in the positive and negative. By default, this plugin appears in the utility panel, but clicking a button brings up a floater window:

Image Floater Window

A function can be applied to a hard or soft selection of vertices within a mesh/poly object, using the window mode:

zOffset = x^2+y^2

Any number and combination of supported objects can be selected and sculpted simultaneously:

zOffset = x^3+y^2

Additional Info

Advanced mode allows for the piecewise definition of functions over different regions, and possibly other effects for users who know MAXScript. Floater Window Advanced

Be sure to see the readme included in the .zip file for more information. Happy Sculpting! Sword of Apollo

Comments (7)

Download link?

Stenrik · 2017-02-27

When I click the "download" link, I get taken to someone's personal blog... this get moved/removed?

and then...

vusta · 2017-02-27

at the blog page...pay the author a bit of respect and read thru.....say about midpage ?

Awesome!!! Suggestion: Create a new category for it

general_lee · 2013-06-03

THIS IS REALLY AWESOME !!!!!!!!! :)

I wanted to make script like this by myself, to make splines correspond math equation. Here is my article.

Then I found THIS. HUUUUUGE THANKS !!!

My only suggestion would be:

You should create a new category named 'Function Sculptor' for it, so it can be found in 'Customize User Interface' dialog.

I think it would be easier then to add it as button to user's own toolbar with common tools.

JokerMartini · 2012-07-31

Would this allow users to write in math operations with sin and cos to essentially recreate the Noise modifier?

A Noise Function

Sword of Apollo · 2012-08-02

I think you could, but only on the world-z axis. I think you could put in something like...

zOffset = (random <num1> <num2>)*sin((random <num3> <num4>)*x)*sin((random <num5> <num6>)*y) + (random <num7> <num8>)*cos((random <num9> <num10>)*x)*cos((random <num11> <num12>)*y)

...replacing the num arguments with whatever numbers you want.

kimarotta · 2012-07-26

creative script... good work...

Sword of Apollo · 2012-07-31

Thanks. I have to say that, before I started using 3ds Max, I expected it to have some type of general function grapher for making geometry, perhaps a function graph primitive. I was startled to learn that, not only did it not have such a thing, but apparently no one had written an add-on to do it, either. To me it just seemed so obvious and useful for certain types of work, that I found it weird that no one had done it.
So that's how Function Sculptor was born.