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Try out an evaluation copy of our 3D sketching programme. Experiment with our interactive form factory - directed random form generation using a range of user defined primitive objects. Complex form created from simple origins - complex results from simple rules. |
The concept is simple - combine a set of form primitives with a random number generator, glue them together inside AutoCAD with user-defined parameters - to give a "Directed Random" form engine.
The primitives can be any kind of object that AutoCAD can generate or import (yes this includes text and images) - the type of object we are most interested in, defines 3D volume somehow. This can range from a simple surfaced box to a complex sculpted solid.
The primitives need have few constraints. Each should be defined as an AutoCAD block (this happens automatically if they are defined as external drawings), and they should relate closely to the space occupied by a unit cube (i.e. they should fit inside the confines of a 1x1x1 volume). Both these limitations allow the form engine to use the primitives to maximum effect. Being a block allows X, Y and Z axis scaling. Scaling from a unit cube base point, allows relative size scaling across multiple objects.
The Xscale, Yscale and Zscale adjustment areas, control the axis scale range permitted to an object. The object will be sized randomly between the upper and lower limits. The Base Height range area performs a similar function on object Insert Height. The Insertion Zone controls the area of permitted insertion while the Rotation Range Angle controls the permitted range of insert angle. The Chance of Rotation selectors control which axes and how likely they are to be used for rotation. The Array option controls how many alternates are offered to the user, and the Inserts box specifies how many primitives are inserted in one cycle. The Primitives button gives access to the Symbols dialog box (below), and the Defaults button selects the default settings.
The Primitives are activated (via the Symbols dialog box - see below) defining a range of selected objects for the "form engine" to work with. The range of objects can be small or large. The smaller the range, the more deterministic the result, and conversely the larger the range, the more unpredicted the result. The user may vary the working set of objects from generation to generation.
The default primitive set supplied with Ekora is intended as a starting point, and the user is encouraged to replace it with self generated objects. Future versions of Ekora will include primitive building tools and means of specifying primitive sets.
A tick under a symbol activates that symbol. The buttons along the bottom edge allow all of the symbols to be activated or deactivated at once. The Next and Prev buttons cycle through multiple selection screens.
