http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3223&th=714#msg_3223
The interface, except volume/area calculation, is updated in real time.

Please be aware, that the calculation times grow exponentially with polygon count.
You can abort execution any time by pressing the ESC key.

Not sure which MAX versions work, just try it and let me know.
Please treat this code with respect. Suggestions and modification are welcome, but please keep the main repository here.
Questions, request, bugs etc are all very welcome in this topic or through Private Messaging.

Cheers,

Stijn

3D Max Shapeways Calculator v1.1!
New screenshot will follow later.


DOWNLOAD LATEST
This version got a major overhaul, please let me know if I broke something

How to

1. Start 3d Max
   
2. Load your favorite object
   
3. Goto menu : MAXScript->Run script...
   
4. Find and open "ShapewaysCalculator.ms"
   
5. Click "Calculate" !
   
6. Play with all the options, try materials, markups, scaling etc
   
7. Please give feedback here
   

The floater interface should speak for itself, I tried to keep it as intuitive as possible, and in line with the Shapeways website.

Known Bugs and Limitations

• It only works with single object meshes, not with groups, or multiple selected. Please use utilities -> collapse.
  
• NO built-in meshmedic So overlapping or non-manifold meshes might produce different values than shapeways.
  
  

V1.1 New features

• Major update to config, incompatible with old version.
  
• SO OLD CONFIG WILL BE OVERWRITTEN ON FIRST RUN
  
• Layout changes/condensing
  
• Added object density
  
• Added bounding total
  
• Added link to (selected) material page
  
• Time to loose beta label
  

TODO (maybe)

• Export and Upload interface to Shapeways API (any help for this module?)
  
• Save/sync some more settings to ini, not everything sticks yet.
  

Todone

• Updateable configuration Beta8
  
• Remember settings Beta8
  
• Currency calculator/Pricing in Euros Beta5
  
• Try to make it more compatible with older max versions Beta4
  
• Unit flexibility - currently the script sets all units to mm where possible Beta5
  
• Manifold check/STL/Other model checks Beta4
  
• Add boundary checks for a given material Beta2
  

Beta11 New features

• Crash fix
  

Beta10 New features

• Docking now configurable via ini file (default=left) (Try the "EDIT" button under config to see ini)
  
• Improved config handling, script will now create default config if none exists.
  
• Updated ini file now part of script itself. Click restore once to update/restore your ini.
  
• Added restore function for config (overwrites config with default)
  

Beta9 New features

• Area calculation for Glazed Ceramics (still testing)
  
• Density discount for WSF (still testing)
  
• Unencrypted source
  
• Many bugs squashed
  

Beta8 New features

• Material and other settings in ini/settings file !
  
• All object values are now saved with the Max file !
  
• Plenty of other stuff, nothing major
  
• Dockable
  

Beta7 New features :

• Updated dollar2euro
  
• Added Stainless Steel
  
• Added New WSF Pricing
  

Beta6 unpublished

Beta5 New features :

• More compatible with other unit systems (no more forced mm units)
  
• Speed and code optimizations
  
• Euro selection
  
• Showing of error-object optional and only on error
  
• Inverted volume correction now optional
  

Beta4 New features :

• Compatible with R8 and up (hopefully)
  
• Crude manifold check (slow, but effective)
  
• Status window
  
• Lots of roll ups, to allow custom interface placement
  
• Better object selection
  
• Overall code refactoring
  

Beta3 unpublished

Beta2 New features :

• Fix negative volume issues
  
• Mass and center of mass (WSF only and not yet fixed for negatives)
  
• Polygon count
  
• Bounding box dimensions of object
  
• Warning if previous exceeds material boundaries
  
• New WSF price
  

Beta 1 Features:

• Volume in CC
  
• Shapeways price for selected material
  
• Final price including VAT, markup
  
• VAT selection
  
• Target Pricing - Calculates scale which will meet target price
  
• Scaled Pricing - Calculate price based on scaling
  
• Polycount warning/bailout if over 1.000.000
  
  

[list type=circle]
[*] --



Cheers.
]]> virtox 2009-03-04T09:09:08-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3244&th=714#msg_3244
that is quite simply awesome!

Have others tried it yet? What do they think of it?


]]> joris 2009-03-05T08:03:57-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3293&th=714#msg_3293 Please don't be afraid to share any ideas you might have for this tool
Anything can be done unless proven otherwise



]]> virtox 2009-03-10T10:59:14-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3294&th=714#msg_3294
thank you!]]> Jettuh 2009-03-10T14:10:54-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3674&th=714#msg_3674 Hope I got all the kinks out ]]> virtox 2009-03-30T22:08:51-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3681&th=714#msg_3681 joris 2009-03-31T08:00:12-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3745&th=714#msg_3745 MaxSMoke777 2009-04-03T22:59:56-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3746&th=714#msg_3746 Only tested in Max R8sp3 and Max R2009.
Does have some visual issues in R8, but nothing serious.

]]> virtox 2009-04-03T23:11:42-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3750&th=714#msg_3750
I think you have to change your nick into VIRTUOS.
Could you make it also as a plugin for other programs as accutrans or meshlab, or maybe as the calculator on everybodies computer?

Great work,
AO]]> AO 2009-04-04T16:05:47-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3756&th=714#msg_3756

The current version is written in maxscript, the internal scripting language for 3d max, pretty straightforward with al the 3d functions.
I don't really know meshlab or accutrans, so I have no idea if they support plugins and in what format. I had a quick look and it didn't look like it, but I could be wrong, anyone with more expertise on these programs or other programs ?

I was thinking of writing a version for a good free easy to use 3d program, but I have to find a friendly "host" and get to know it, before I could write a sensible plugin. But there is of course the blenderscript by Loonsbury which solves that
(I wish I had the time to switch to/learn blender.. max sucks sometimes , but you don't throw away 10 years of knowledge/experience/habit )

I have been thinking about a standalone application, but this would entail a whole lote more research/work. Since it would also require file format support, 3d parsing and everything.
I don't have the time for that, I also want to model !

And I would think Shapeways has the best angle of providing a desktop application, since they already have the server version ]]> virtox 2009-04-04T20:35:22-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3760&th=714#msg_3760 joris 2009-04-04T21:37:43-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3765&th=714#msg_3765
I think a desktop app that can import stl or obj would be the most convenient since there are so many different softwarepackages available.

AO]]> AO 2009-04-05T07:31:40-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3766&th=714#msg_3766
Most of us are modelers and hobyist.
Having a job and also spending alot of time on modeling or writing a app like you did makes it extra hard.
The hours at night count double or even triple........the frustrations are at least triple .
Therefore don't forget to model and having fun in that.

AO
]]> AO 2009-04-05T07:42:03-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3922&th=714#msg_3922 Laserschwert 2009-04-15T08:06:52-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3926&th=714#msg_3926 The simple answer is : maxscript IS slow
Unfortunately there is no way I can get access to the info from the measure tool from within maxscript, the only workaround is to do the calculation inside the script itself, which is just terribly slow. The actual algorithm is the same, I think.

]]> virtox 2009-04-15T08:58:04-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3928&th=714#msg_3928 But BETA 5 is here, approximately twice as fast as BETA 4.

Hope I got all the kinks out !
And as usual any feedback is welcome !

Stijn

]]> virtox 2009-04-15T09:57:27-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=3933&th=714#msg_3933 ShapewaysMechanical 2009-04-15T14:57:06-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6151&th=714#msg_6151 For file, see opening post.
]]> virtox 2009-08-29T16:54:40-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6169&th=714#msg_6169


and it works good ]]> Jettuh 2009-08-30T10:26:34-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6170&th=714#msg_6170
Did it solve your price discrepancy I saw in another topic ?
(Quite curious where that came from)
]]> virtox 2009-08-30T11:31:05-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=6261&th=714#msg_6261
Build it in Adobe Flex and it will be universal... meaning it can run on PC / Mac / Linux... (with the appropriate runtime of course)

But I agree on the Desktop Part. MUCH easier. Rather than trying to manage plugins for ALL the different apps and ALL their different versions...]]> randomblink 2009-09-03T18:54:25-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=8754&th=714#msg_8754
Thank you so much for this tool!

So, how much ya gonna charge for V1.0? ]]> sFsGaming 2010-01-06T01:45:51-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=8755&th=714#msg_8755
v1.0 will arrive by the year 2100, or was it 2010, I forgot.
And the price will be an arm and a leg.

Nah, it's my gift to the shapeways community.
But rating of my latest models is always appreciated :
Latest models
And since I have more ideas than money, I created the
TriMatrix Special Unlimited Sponsor Edition
It has an increased markup, through which people can help and support this struggling artist

Kind regards,

Stijn

]]> virtox 2010-01-06T10:14:48-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=11417&th=714#msg_11417
Still working on a practical solution to add the wall thickness checks and improve the manifold check. But maxscript seems too sluggish and the c++ API too buggy/cumbersome.

Ah, and again I see I have neglected to update the latest version here.
I will polish up the code and add it asap. It has a user-editable config for the prices and materials infos.

And I'm thinking of an STL "quick" export (and import) feature.

Even pondering the idea of implementing the shapeways upload API, but I'm not familiar with the used http interface.

So in short : any new wishes ?

Stijn]]> virtox 2010-04-04T08:36:06-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=12929&th=714#msg_12929 nemo_uk 2010-05-17T16:20:15-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=13390&th=714#msg_13390
I updated the script and opening post, please check it out !



]]> virtox 2010-06-04T22:24:16-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=15798&th=714#msg_15798 Seems to be a great app, but it doesn't work for me on MAX2009.
The object is not being calculated + there is a white square appearing in the viewing panes
]]> bobbob12 2010-08-07T16:05:34-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=15799&th=714#msg_15799

It looks like you have multiple objects selected, that does not work yet.
It only works for a single mesh or poly object.

Did you get any warnings or error messages ?
After a (major) error its usually best to reload the script.

I will see if I can improve the error handling and feedback a bit.

Thanks for the feedback !

Stijn



]]> virtox 2010-08-07T16:10:12-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=15804&th=714#msg_15804 Fleafa 2010-08-08T13:53:31-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=16711&th=714#msg_16711

Any remarks/wishes?

Cheers,

Stijn]]> virtox 2010-08-26T11:23:41-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=27599&th=714#msg_27599

- Bugs squashed!
- Glazed ceramics support!
- WSF density discount!
- Open source code!

I forgot to add WSFP to the config, will try to add shortly, but one can add/edit it themselves

Updates courtesy of anonymous contributors via Triple Matrix Sponsor

Cheers

Virtox]]> virtox 2011-05-16T13:58:24-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28340&th=714#msg_28340
Please help. ]]> avandius 2011-05-30T06:54:22-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28354&th=714#msg_28354 What does the text in the scrollbox under checks and warnings say?
Config loaded ok?

I do not have 2012 to test unfortunately.
A screenshot might be helpful?
]]> virtox 2011-05-30T09:53:09-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28380&th=714#msg_28380
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2012\Scripts

Upon running the script it props an error immediately saying:

Ini file not found C:\User\Seth\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu\plugcfg\VirTools.ini

This directory/path doesn't exist on my system. I'm running Windows 7-64 bit with Autodesk 64-bit.

The Checks and Warnings continuously says "Test object size : TOO BIG" regardless of how small I make it. The object in question is 22mm diameter.

Hope this helps!



]]> avandius 2011-05-30T18:59:57-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28386&th=714#msg_28386
C:\User\Seth\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu\plugcfg\
is given to the script by your max program.
And is where the virtools.ini should be.

It is probably a hidden path. If you paste that into your explorer you can still browse it.

I'll see if I can find an easier install path for the config.

And because the config is not loaded there is no material info or max dimension -> everything bigger than zero is rejected.
Perhaps I'll look into error handling.]]> virtox 2011-05-30T20:40:20-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28387&th=714#msg_28387

It's working here on Max 2012.

I thought it wasn't working a couple of days ago, but I didn't see the "Calculate" button.

Seems to be working fine, now.

Any chance of adding FUD to it? ]]> sFsGaming 2011-05-30T20:51:08-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28388&th=714#msg_28388 ]]> virtox 2011-05-30T20:59:15-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28389&th=714#msg_28389 Attached a quick update of the ini file only.
Removed, script was updated

You can also use the "edit config" option to fiddle with the settings.
Most values should be self-explanatory (although a bit cryptic sometimes )]]> virtox 2011-05-30T21:09:17-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28391&th=714#msg_28391
It seems to work for me. (Well, it was a penny off for FUD. )]]> sFsGaming 2011-05-30T21:51:36-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28396&th=714#msg_28396 virtox wrote on Mon, 30 May 2011 20:40
Hi,

C:\User\Seth\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu\plugcfg\
is given to the script by your max program.
And is where the virtools.ini should be.

It is probably a hidden path. If you paste that into your explorer you can still browse it.

I'll see if I can find an easier install path for the config.

And because the config is not loaded there is no material info or max dimension -> everything bigger than zero is rejected.
Perhaps I'll look into error handling.


I've posted the address into windows explorer and it still says "Windows can't find". I've tried deleting directories all the way down to AppData and it props the same error. Curious, this is an admin account if those folders are only created when using multiple UAC's. Any other suggestions?
]]> avandius 2011-05-31T03:51:00-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28408&th=714#msg_28408 normally it starts with "c:\users\" (yours is missing an S)

Perhaps you made a typo ? I just copied the path you gave me, but it should be the path max shows in the error.

You can try to enable hidden files to navigate easier.


]]> virtox 2011-05-31T08:40:39-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28419&th=714#msg_28419 ]]> sFsGaming 2011-05-31T13:13:14-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28421&th=714#msg_28421 EDIT
I have fixed the beta10 file. It should be only be able to float, dock left and right now.


That's weird

Did you dock it manually at the top or bottom?
Usually you can right click the docking bar (the double lines to the top or left of the calculator) to choose docking or float options.

It always used to dock at the left by default, the basics did not change.

Did you update/restore the config?

Perhaps re-running the script?

Can you try the edit config and find the "docking" value at the bottom of the file, it can be either left or right. Any other value should float it.
]]> virtox 2011-05-31T13:30:23-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=28425&th=714#msg_28425
I manually docked it by dragging it to the left side of Max.

There was no docking bar for me to right-click on or drag the panel away from the left. ]]> sFsGaming 2011-05-31T15:10:46-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=32744&th=714#msg_32744
loved the calculator and the object properties matched those of 3DS. Excellent work, a very useful tool indeed. I even tried adding Silver to the materials list.

FWIW, I tried the calculator in the new 3DS 2012 version and I could not get the object properties either by "selected object" or "pick object" buttons. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

Anyway, now my problem is solved I can place an order.

John

]]> jgarnham 2011-08-15T16:08:51-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=32745&th=714#msg_32745

Too bad the latest max broke it

Currently I don't have access to Max 2012, so any help is appreciated
Do you see any output in the "Maxscript Listener"
or any error, or just nothing..?
Does the config load properly?

I haven't been through the material list to see if things are up to date, so feel free to post any mistakes or updates

Cheers,

Stijn

]]> virtox 2011-08-15T16:38:19-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=32791&th=714#msg_32791 I rebooted and it worked better.

It does however have an issue and the control remains open after Max 2012 shuts down that cause an error report to be sent to Autodesk.
No big deal really.

John

]]> jgarnham 2011-08-16T10:34:05-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=32793&th=714#msg_32793
Attached a version (b11) that hopefully fixes that behavior.

EDIT: For posterity sake this post will keep Beta11 attached.

Current latest is V1.1 which got a big overhaul, but it breaks compatibility with the old config.
There were just too many changes in materials and new parameters to keep it compatible.


]]> virtox 2011-08-16T11:32:03-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=50942&th=714#msg_50942 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=getfile&id=18 270

Please check the opening post for details: http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=714&am p;am p;start=0&


]]> virtox 2012-07-06T20:39:04-00:00