Dynamite VSP Swept Objects
Dynamite VSP features a powerful style based parametric swept object builder for lofting
profiles along one or more parent strings.
At its simplest, this feature may be deployed to sweep structures such as bridges and tunnels along the path of one or more parent shapes. Alternatively, complete highway profiles can be modelled featuring traffic barriers, embankments, ditches and fences. This is effectively possible from a single imported design string and a Dynamite VSP swept object definition.
Building The Swept Object Profile
Swept object profiles are defined using a sequence of profile elements which collectively describe the cross-sectional shape of the desired object. Each element in the profile features a variable horizontal/vertical offset and an independent material assignment.
The offsets for each individual profile element may be dynamically varied both laterally and longitudinally, which means that tapered profile elements can be defined. In addition, full control over the texture mapping coordinates and smoothing group of each element may be adjusted independently. This provides complete control over the way that textures are applied to each part of the swept object profile.
Gap elements can be defined to prevent geometry from being created between two adjacent
points on a swept object profile. This is useful for creating swept objects which are generated at an offset from
the nominated parent shape(s).
A maximum of 32 elements may be defined in any swept object profile. However, this profile may be optionally be assigned to both sides of the parent shape(s) in order to generate a symmetrical swept object with up to 32 identical elements on each side of the parent shape(s).
Swept Objects retain a permanent dependence on their respective parent shapes. If the path of a parent shape changes, the geometry of any associated swept object will be updated accordingly.
Capping Options
Swept profiles may be capped in a number of ways. The options available in each case depend on a number of factors:
- Spanning Surface - creates spanning geometry across the gap between two or more parent splines. This is useful for representing the carriageway surface between two edge of asphalt strings. This option is available when the selected parent shape contains more than one spline.
- Closing Surface - creates spanning geometry between the vertices of the last element on each side of a double sided swept object profiles.
- Capping Surface - creates a cap across both ends of the swept object in order to form a true 3d solid. Available on swept objects where the specified parameters form a closed profile.
Swept Object Styles
Once the profile of a swept object has been defined, the associated creation parameters may be saved to a text based Swept
Object Style to provide an easy means of re-using the profile at a later date. The syntax for swept object styles
forms part of the command language for Dynamite VSP which allows commonly used settings to be stored in text based
styles for later re-use.
Swept Object Styles may be defined interactively in the dedicated Swept Object Style Editor panel, or in any text editor or spreadsheet application.