[Bf-python] Bf-python Digest, Vol 92, Issue 4

Mon Oct 29 16:57:16 CET 2012

On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 10:00 PM, <bf-python-request at blender.org> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: contrib addons & candidates for release (Campbell Barton)
>    2. Contrib Addon Review: add_mesh_building_objects (Campbell Barton)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:48:53 +1100
> From: Campbell Barton <ideasman42 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Bf-python] contrib addons & candidates for release
> To: Blender Foundation Python list <bf-python at blender.org>
> Message-ID:
>         <CAEcf3NzbAkeWZuNdmsrF20X=
> LuXh3EnjYF0ANj_-Z4NCmgpt6A at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Hi there, Im going over these addons for review today and will post
> codereview linkes here.
>
> Some of these addons need general functionality review before code
> review even, so will do that first.
>
> On Thu, Oct 25, 2012 at 11:15 AM, Brendon Murphy
> <meta.androcto1 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > hi,
> >  Before I get to the contrib addons list for release consideration, I
> would
> > like to mention that it would not be hard to trim the lesser addons from
> > contrib & enable contrib for release.
> > Most users know of contrib addons & have trouble to install them in
> official
> > builds. Users are & can be made aware or reminded that contrib addons are
> > 'experimental' as they already are with the "Testing" button to view
> contrib
> > addons in the addons menu/s.
> > Not all contrib addons are suitable for release & i have been working
> hard
> > towards cleaning up contrib & preparing many addons for release.
> > This can be seen in the "Tools" where I group similar addons with the
> goal
> > of easing the amount of small similar function addons into menu's. This
> > works well in reducing the volume of addons & eases the menu bloat &
> helps
> > users save time.
> >
> > Addons proposed to move from contrib to release.
> >
> > add_mesh_building_objects
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/add_mesh_building_objects/
> > Maintainers: brikbot, meta-androcto
> > Status: Stable & working for many releases before it was merged/added to
> > contrib.
> > Known issues: needs code tips translated, may not use latest function
> calls
> >
> > btrace
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/btrace/__init__.py
> > Maintainers: Crazycourier, Liero
> > Status: Stable & working for many releases
> > Known issues: has been code reviewed & may not use the best
> methods/function
> > calls
> >
> > mesh_select_tools
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/mesh_select_tools/
> > Maintainers: meta-androcto, codemanx
> > Status: Stable & working for many releases before it was merged/added to
> > contrib.
> > Known issues: does not use latest function calls.
> >
> > object_mangle tools
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/object_mangle_tools.py
> > Maintainer: Phil Cote
> > Status: Stable & working for many releases
> > Known issues: does not use latest function calls.
> >
> > object_edit_linked
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/object_edit_linked.py
> > Maintainer: Fweeb
> > Status: Stable
> > Known Issues: None
> >
> > system_project_folder
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/system_project_folder.py
> > Maintainer: Dany Lebel
> > Status: Stable
> > Known issues: none
> >
> > ui_layer_manager
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/ui_layer_manager.py
> > Maintainer: Alfonso Annarumma:
> > Status: Stable
> > Known issues: none
> >
> > Addons worth considering:
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/io_mesh_xyz/
> > by blendphys
> >
> >
> https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/uv_bake_texture_to_vcols.py
> > by Patrick Boelens, CoDEmanX
> >
> > please note:
> > I have also been working on several toolkits, merging lesser scripts &
> > grouping similar tools, Release & Contrib can use more improvement, as
> > toolskits/merges get done more proposed addons will follow :)
> >
> > I would ask that Code reviewers take into account that these addons work
> &
> > are stable for many months, whilst the code & methods may not be
> perfect, it
> > can be improved during review or improved as issues arise.
> > There are possibly minor easy to fix issues such as wiki pages to do that
> > I'm quite happy to fix if needed.
> >
> > Also Blender Developers & Addon Developers are very welcome to help &
> > propose addons fro release or merge. Please if you see addons that fall
> > withing your area of Blender, such as animation or sequencer or uv
> modules,
> > feel free to contact the author & make suggestions on how they should
> > proceed towards release.
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Brendon Murphy (meta-androcto)
> > Blender Extensions Addons team
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Bf-python mailing list
> > Bf-python at blender.org
> > http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-python
> >
>
>
>
> --
> - Campbell
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:55:52 +1100
> From: Campbell Barton <ideasman42 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Bf-python] Contrib Addon Review: add_mesh_building_objects
> To: Blender Foundation Python list <bf-python at blender.org>
> Message-ID:
>         <CAEcf3NwBXOyTM=
> bWREBPA_hoHQ-LMrMT-sGeyd0KGEpjdtzkqw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Hi Brendon & Addon Authors,
>
> To me these addons seem more like a parametric-model-library, then a
> general addons.
>
> Since blender doesn't support parametric objects I can see why
> developers wrote these, but Im also not convinced this
> is a good reason to add all of them into trunk.
>
> As examples of what you can do with addons these are quite
> interesting, but even if you were using blender
> to model buildings, I think only 1 or 2 of these would end up being useful.
>
> A small negative for including these addons at all is that I dont
> think you could use them together to make a
> building with any kind of consistancy - you would end up with a
> castle-wall, mixed with a minimalist window, some beams, a balcony +
> some nicely
> detailed stairs.
>
> To authors, hope you guys don't take offense to my review, if some
> users are successfully including these tools in their workflow id like
> to know about it & see results.
>
>
>
> ####################
> Functionality Review
> ####################
>
>
> Beam builder
> ------------
>
> The shapes are so primitive that you wouldnt save a lot of time by
> using this addon.
>
> If you happen to be needing to make shapes like this a _lot_, likely
> you already have a small library of shapes you'll
> re-use, adjusting the length, taper etc on existing models is also trivial.
>
> There is still some use for these kinds of addons but I think its so
> specific that such addons can stay 3rd party/contrib.
>
> (IMHO, don't promote to trunk)
>
>
> Balcony
> -------
>
> Again, this is adds a really specific model + materials, which I don't
> think are generally useful.
> If - for example - you had a library of balconies, most of these could
> be added and heights adjusted - in a few seconds.
>
>
> If you're an artist making a building, probably you have some ideas of
> your own how to add a balcony, which isn't really
> such a complicated shape,
>
> Even so, I think this has more merit then the beam builder.
>
> note: dimensions as integers here isn't good IMHO.
>
> (IMHO, don't promote to trunk)
>
>
> Solve (Window Frame)
> --------------------
>
> Seems a bit limited, adds a single kind of window frame, which is OK,
> as far as that goes - but if I were using
> a tool like this I'd want it to have support for a few different kinds
> of windows (Maybe 6+ main categories).
>
> The current window types are quite simple and take <1min (rough
> guess). to model.
>
> (IMHO, don't promote to trunk)
>
> ... but If this were a more general window-frame generator, Id consider it.
>
>
> Wall Factory
> ------------
>
> This addon is pretty neat, unlike most others in this category - it
> could save quite a bit of time compared to making
> such a model by hand.
>
> But its also quite limited, maybe it should be called `Castle Wall`
> factory.
>
> Im tempted to include this for novelty value, its fun!
>
> But I think you either want a lot more detaul, or a lot less.
> If you made an entire castle - this is way too much detail... and if
> you make a single/section of a castle for a close up render, the
> bricks are obviously cubes.
> So Im scratching my head to find a use-case.
>
> Also, even if this was the exact level of detail for some project -
> you would want more control then this addon gives you.
>
> - The ability to place windows. have the wall follow a path. - have
> the stairs lead somewhere useful...
>
> So its cool but the functionality included seems a bit haphazard - the
> developer included some interesting stuff,
> but probably didnt model even a small section of a castle using it
> (maybe Im wrong here).
>
> (IMHO, don't promote to trunk)
>
>
> Stair Builder
> -------------
>
> This addon creates fairly detailed models that would for sure save
> some time - compared to making manually.
> It also includes enough styles to be generally useful IMHO.
>
> So, on functionality level I'd accept this, but noticed some oddities.
>
> - Added objects are not selected (add object operators should select
> all newly added objects).
> - This adds many objects, not just a single object, this could be
> annoying for users,
> perhaps add option to give single parent? Also, since this adds many
> matching objects it could use linked duplicates
> (every step is the same for eg).
> - Spiral staircase does not support hand-rail options - best disable
> these or add support.
>
> Would promote this to trunk if these issues are resolved.
>
>
> - Campbell
>
>
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> End of Bf-python Digest, Vol 92, Issue 4
> ****************************************
>

ideasman_42, hi, reading review on building objects,

I'm sure brikbot can fix stairs & you raised appropriates issues there,
such as single object & spiral stairs not complete.

It looks like you missed Window, it's just been updated in svn & is much
more powerful. very useful for shop fronts & not so detailed buildings, it
now features arc, tri & sloping windows, other upgrades & correct
translation.

Wall factory, or Castle wall as you correctly call, is not well maintained
but popular, given the novelty it's quite good & given some effort, some
half decent castles can be assembled using multiple wall types. I'm happy
to see this stay in contrib until a suitable maintainer is available.

Thanks for the time reviewing,
Brendon. :)
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