Cineversity

Is there a way to rebuild a curve/spline so it has fewer control points?

When I use the sketch pen the resulting spline has too many control points and I would like to rebuild the spline to have fewer control points. This is standard tool for working with curves in programs like maya (rebuild command), houdini (resample sop), rhino (rebuild command). I would like to know if there is a similar command or way of doing this in Cinema?

Hi zulu85,

Here is the MoSpline set up. You can place a Spline (even an empty Spline) into it. Inside the MoSpline, you can set up the number of points.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/sjn0qI2fjUQCIbPJuJqY42uFaofhay4aRatBU1pofRW

MoSpline Object> Mode: Spline
Use the Parameters in the Spline Tab
The destination Spline will be a copy with the adjustments.
Switch The MoSpline off after all is done.

This leaves the original spline as is and allows for a later revisit.

Besides this global approach, you can use the

Main Menu> Spline> Spline Smooth Tool.
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaytut/new_in_release_17_quickstart_spline_tools_for_drawing_sketching_smoothing
@ 04:00 [min:sec]

All the best

Thanks Dr. Sassi!

You’re very welcome, zulu85.

My best wishes

Dr. Sassi,

Quick question about this. I can’t edit the points on the destination spline even after I turn off (i.e disable) the original spline and MoSpline generator.

The only way I can do that is to “current state to object” on the destination spline and editing the resulting spline.

My question is why is this necessary even when the MoSpline generator is off?

Hi zulu85,

Yes.

You have two options:

1
Command+Drag the Destination Spline to create a copy. This copy can be edit freely.

2
Go to the MoSpline> Spline and clear the field where the Destination Spline is. This will disconnect the two, and you can work freely with the Spline in question.

Let me know if you need something else, I’m happy to look into it.

Cheers

Great to know. I guess my question was why it was necessary if the generator is disabled. Shouldn’t a disabled generator not evaluate and hence constraint in any way the spline? Trying to understand what is going on behind the scenes..

Hi zulu85,

Yes. It should work when disabled as expected, but it doesn’t. However, if that would work (releasing the Spline for the time being) with disabling, any change on the Spline would be lost when activated again. So, I see it as a security function.

If that switch off has a bug in your view, please contact the support:
https://www.maxon.net/en/support-center

All the best

P.S.:

Option 3

Inside the Layer Browser, you have the option to switch off the Python functionality. (The Python Icon. E) In other words, place the MoSpline on a Separate Layer, and you have the option to switch the control from the MoSpline over the Destination spline to off.

Again, if it is switched on again, the information given to it while in off mode will be overwritten.

Cheers

Thanks to you I am going to town with filing feature requests

Sounds good, zulu85.

Thanks a lot for doing that. Maxon loves to hear what is needed and wanted.

have a great day!