I’m trying to understand the limits/clearance of different configurations using a complex 170/175° hinge assembly. Is this doable in V7 - is there a plugin perhaps?
Possibly Bongo plugin. Rhino - Bongo™
Here are some things that cross my mind (in order of increasing difficulty). I’m not sure any will work for you, but just in case…
Rhino
Just manually move/rotate objects in Rhino to try out various configurations. Use undo to get back to the neutral configuration. (Be careful not to overwrite the original file!)
Grasshopper
Use Grasshopper (included with Rhino) to move and rotate parts with sliders. Set all the sliders to zero to return to the neutral configuration.
Blender
Import the object into Blender (free software) and animate it to your heart’s content. Return to keyframe zero to return to the neutral configuration.
Hi @JKayten
You could create solids that more or less encompass the design’s parts then rotate them around and or slide them as needed. Named positions will help here so you can pose your parts and save that position then go to the next pose or what the mechanics demand.
I’ve done this type of thing in GH and its not that hard but you need to understand the kinematics of the model fully. You should have the real hinge to observe so you can make real decisions.
Lastly I want to comment on my disappointment in McNeel developers for never adding Bongo into Rhino proper. I have wished many times that Bongo become part of Rhino because designers need animation to test their designs. Also with Rhino supposedly adding constraints for V9 it’s a must to have animation timeline abilities.
Finally just move to blender for your animation and rendering needs you won’t be sorry, it’s one awesome piece of software.
RM
Thanks to both of you for your help. At this point is was easier to just make mock-ups and get real-world results. I’d think Rhino for Mac at this point would have more expandability via plugins.
I’ve foregone V8 because it’s not really a fully-functioning upgrade. It’s also been an ongoing nuisance trying to setup user profiles and command keys and make them transferable. I’ve no confidence in the work done on user setups to be reliably maintained.
I
Yea you’d think that McNeel would at least get Bongo working in mac.
I agree the big reason I too did not upgrade, not to mention barely any progress made on the things I want and need in a program. I’m not going to pay yet again for the same old tools that have not been made any better since V3. Also no wish items fulfilled from users and nothing done to history or work sessions and block manager is still pretty useless.
RM
check this online tool:
it can handle linkages and track the path.
there are many other online tools - use “linkage” as a goolge / search term.
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Hi Roland -
That’s the first I hear about that.
-wim
one of the bigger holdups was the missing C++ SDK if i am not fully wrong, which according to recent posts is actually scheduled for v9, so maybe just maybe we might be seeing some actual movement there at some point, but even if then bongo has to grow up quite a bit to act as a real alternative imo.
Thanks Tom - this looks very interesting!