TSplines Tips

TSplines is a powerful plug-in by Autodesk for Rhinoceros. It has a mammoth array of features, but I've noticed that it can create some really strange edge intersections. Here's a super quick guide to getting rid of non-manifold edges in TSplines before converting it back to a rhino surface. In this instance, I'm going be using TSPipe on some Grasshopper generated curves, then going from there.

1.) Look at this cool TSPipe. Unfortunately, it has some non-manifold edges. Enter TSEditMode to toggle editing by points. Bad edges will turn up red, notice the little red marks:

2.) We're going to fix these edges using the TSWeld command, click two red dots to get rid of them. If you have a few bad lines, you will have to reconnect both points before the bad points go away, so don't worry if you connect a pair and one is still there, it happens.

 

3.) To verify that we have a manifold model, enter TSToggleSmooth to change the model into a more circular shape, rather than a box shape. If it's successful, it means your model is watertight. Notice the less jagged appearance.

 In my experience, watertight models in TSplines won't necessarily yield models that will print. I've been using a Makerbot 2X to print these models with NO success. Though this is most likely due to the limited resolution of those printers, be warned. I haven't tried any that have been treated with these methods, so I will post back letting you all know how it goes.

Road to Pre-Customized Customization

As Bryan and I work towards the goal of "pre-customized" 3D modeling, that is, 3D modeling that can be quickly transformed to fit different shapes and sizes through Grasshopper definitions. My goal is by taking as little as 5 pre-cut wireframes from a 3D scan, the application of a Grasshopper definition will transform those wireframes into a full-on wearable object. We have not quite reached that point, but by supplementing our Grasshopper definitions with Autodesk's powerful TSplines plug-in, we have come up with some interesting results. Here is a quick step-by-step process:

1.) Start with wireframe obtained from scan. I do this by crafting flat surfaces where I want splits in my scan. Then I use the Split command in Rhino to get actually split these sections. Finally, using the DupBorder command, we can actually extract those wireframes, as this command is made to duplicate the border at the top of the surface.

2.) Loft those curves together. We need a surface to project the grid on, and lofting is an easy way to do that. You may also want to offset the curves before you do this. In my case, however, my measurements were rounded up a bit to begin with, so I found this unnecessary.

 3.) This grasshopper definition is applied. The output of the Pline is what will be baked.

 4.) Here is the hexagonal grid without it's corresponding surface. Now all we need to do is tsPipe these curves to get some cool results.

5.) Here's a nice render our finished bracelet. Settings for tsPipe depend on preference. I went with a quarter inch radius, a box output, and the bendy joint set.