But this isn’t done. I’m very interested in figuring out how to make it really work.
One thing I see is that part of the problem in the latest definition may be too many ribs.
Also:
-rather than guessing our way to the correct number of decking strips, we should base it on measuring the shortest rib and dividing it up base on the minimum acceptable spacing between strips.
-If the goal is ultimately to construct this with physical strips on simple 2d ribs, the rectangles need to be generated from lines with both of their endpoints on the rib curve. If you don’t do this, the gaps between your decking will not conform well to the flow of the ribs. Also, as you’ll see in the definition, you’re limited in your spacing by collisions that can happen between strips when your gaps get small near tight convex curves.
My GH experience isn’t great, but my getting weird stuff built experience is pretty good. So rather than tackling previously posted definitions, here’s how I’d do a single rib’s worth of rectangles, from the perspective of wanting to make it buildable: Ribs and Rails.gh (23.6 KB)
My next step in trying to figure this out would be to test the difference between using lofts and using sweeps created by interpolating curves between points taken from the rectangles.
After that, there’s the question of rib placement and spacing. Would each rib would be planar of is there budget to make them not planar? (I think my humble definition will also work on non-planar ribs, if you can get them fabbed) Would the ribs collectively be on parallel planes or is it worth slanting them in places? Will the be CNC cut notched wood, or will they be bent metal?
The others are right that a better formed surface would make it easier to derive a solution from isocurves. I think that from a practical construction perspective, you can probably get a good approximation of the surfaces you drew by extracting ribs strategically rather than in a uniform way. Ultimately, also, modeling strips that perfectly conform to your surface curvature won’t help build this. You’re beholden to what the strip material can do, how much it will bend and twist, so model based on that, and maintain the cross section as much as possible.