What is it
Fluid-Forms-Libs is a library for Processing (Java) that aids in the creation of fluid forms (parametrically changeable forms). It includes useful function for generating, modifying, importing and exporting geometry. At present STL and OBJ are supported as input and export formats.
It was initially conceived at Fluid Forms for exporting coded forms for physical production using CNC Technologies or 3D-Printing. In future we will be adding more useful features and more file formats so stay tuned.
The advantage of this library is that the file formats are described using templates. In order to support a new ascii file format you don't have to write a new library, you just have to write a new template. If you want to support a binary file format you can extend the base classes of the library.
Installation
Like all processing libraries FluidIO must be downloaded and placed within the "libraries" folder of your Processing sketchbook. To find the Processing sketchbook location on your computer, open the Preferences window from the Processing application and look for the "Sketchbook location" item at the top. Copy the contributed library's folder into the "libraries" folder at this location. You will need to create the "libraries" folder if this is the firs library you have install for this sketch.
Example Usage
import eu.fluidforms.processing.*;
void setup(){
size(500, 800, P3D);
FluidForms.setup(this);
noStroke();
}
// Press ctrl-e to export an STL file.
void draw(){
Blob blob = new Blob();
FluidForms.drawUV(blob);
}FAQs
- The object in the file is miles away from the center of the scene. What's going on?
- By default the processing transformation is applied to the geometry before it is exported. This allows you to use translate(x, y, z). If you want to position everything by hand you can see how to do so in the example ExportWithExactCoordinates.
- Some things are missing for the exported file. Whats up?
- Not all feature of the file formats are supported at present. The primary goal is to enable people to get their geometries in and out of processing. Thinks like materials and cameras are not presently supported.
- Where are the JavaDocs?
