Michael Jones (mtj++at++babar)
Wed, 27 Oct 1993 23:28:31 -0700
:... There are approximately 800,000 vertices which in a typical log. In order
:to have a realistic visualization, I would plan on being able to apply textures which correspond
:to sound wood, knots, stain, etc.
This is a neat application, but I never realized wood had so many vertices ;-)
:My questions then are [1] can this be done (I assume so),
Yes.
:[2] is Performer the best software
:approach to do this or would some commercial solid modeler work better. I assume Performer would
:be cheaper and it seems to me that in most cases an application package just never seems to be
:able to quite do what you want. Also, is this a doable project for a reasonably proficient
:programmer (say a 2 yr. MS student) or would I be better off hiring a full-time programmer to get
:it done in half the time.
IRIS Performer is a fine tool here, but I imagine that the bulk of the work
will be on the application side rather than in the graphics.
If I understand this right, you would start with a capped-cylinder made of
polygons as the original log. Then the first pass of the log through the saw
slices it into two parts -- this is equivalent to slicing the original
geometric definition along a user defined plane. Subsequent passes would
slice some subset of the previous fragments along different planes (caused by
translating or rotating the log). You would do this until you had a truck-
load of 2x4's and 800,000 vertices. Right?
:I would appreciate any feedback or perspective on these general questions.
:I will be writing a proposal shortly (due in 2 weeks) and want to be
:realistic in what can be done.
This seems feasible and not too difficult. The essential operations are
slicing an object by a plane and deciding which existing objects would be
effected by a pass through the mill. The slicer will need to cap (create
new faces) where the slicing is done.
You could even make synthetic texture maps as you go, based on the radial
cut position into the log, saw speed, wood type, and so on.
Please keep us posted on your progress, and don't get saw dust in your
keyboard.
--Be seeing you, mtj++at++sgi.com 415.390.1455 M/S 7L-590 Michael Jones Silicon Graphics, Advanced Graphics Division 2011 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mtn. View, CA 94039-7311
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