Next Generation Modeling (was RE: [Bf-committers] Edge Loop Selection in Meshes)

[Charles Wardlaw]

Hi Andy,

I don't know what a 'strawman' is, but the addition of edge loop
selection and better low-poly modeling tools is *definitely* something
that many users have been harping for in Blender.  (Check the
blender.org forums or the ones on elysiun.)

I think the important thing is just to implement a small set of
features initially, post the patch, get feedback, and then move on from
there.  The coding side of things is pretty ad-hoc, and the people that
get listened to the most are the ones who submit patches with new
functionality.

So, were I you, I'd think about the kinds of things *you'd* like to be
able to do with the wing-edge data and edge loop selection (IE,
different types of extrusions) and just go for it.  Chances are
anything you come up with will be useful to many other users (even if
they're quiet about it).  The problem right now is that many blender
users have not used Wings 3D, so they'd find it hard to envision what
you're trying to attempt in the first place.

Also: don't forget to check the way tools currently work; by this I
mean that before most edits blender pops up a little box asking the
user if they really want to do it, due to the lack of undo
functionality.  You also might need a seperate edit mode for poly
meshes with your new edge tools.

I'm looking forward to whatever you come up with.

- Charles

--- Andy Davis <biggernoise@attbi.com> wrote:
> I've had a chance to both ponder my edge loop selection approach and
> finally
> get to play with Wings.  Now that I have done so, I am pretty much on
> board
> with trying the winged edge suggestion.  However, rather than proceed
> haphazardly along a randomly chosen path, I wonder if this might be a
> good
> time for a discussion about where Blender's modeling capabilities
> should be
> heading.  From that, we could create a road map of sorts that will
> hopefully
> guide development along a semi-predictable path.  I think this should
> include a description of some typical workflows that different kinds
> of
> users might adopt.
> 
> I'm willing to take a stab at writing up a strawman if I had some
> confidence
> that anyone would read it and care.
> 
> -Andy
> 
> BTW - I think that this is orthogonal to the Next Generation Blender
> being
> discussed on the blender.org site.
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bf-committers-admin@blender.org
> [mailto:bf-committers-admin@blender.org]On Behalf Of Andy Davis
> Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 9:19 PM
> To: bf-committers@blender.org
> Subject: RE: [Bf-committers] Edge Loop Selection in Meshes
> 
> 
> Yes, I'm still interested, thanks for the reply.
> 
> I think I will proceed with my original plan as it should get me
> familiar
> with a nice slice of blender functionality.  However, I will
> immediately
> follow on with a tour through Wings and see what of that
> functionality I can
> bring to Blender.
> 
> -Andy
> 
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