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PGR-Meandering-Paths V0.1.6

PGR-Meandering-Paths (pgr_meandering_paths.py) is a Blender-Plugin (written in Python), which creates (randomly) 3D-meandering 'paths' within a defined area. It is written for Blender 2.4x. The script makes Blender curves of type "3D", to which another curve-object with adjustable size is assigned as bevel-object (you can choose between three basic shapes). This is also known as "sweep" or "extrusion-profile".

The script creates the 3D-curves along the x-axis of a beforehand as bounding-box selected mesh-object. You can choose between three types of startpoint-distribution on the Y-Z-plane of the bounding-box and also the number of steps along the x-axis.

At present, there are these different types of "meandering":

• "Straight": straight from left to right.
• "Tidy": Y-Z randomly, not twice in the same direction. Always X plus stepwidth.
• "Curvy": X-Y-Z randomly, always X plus stepwidth.
• "Edgy": X-Y-Z randomly, the curve may go back the same way it came.
• "Edgy2": X-Y-Z randomly, the curve may not go back the same way it came.
• "Jumbled": X-Y-Z randomly, also stepwidth varies (total mess).
• "Screwy": the curve builds a spiral, radius is equal to the diameter of the bevel-object.
• "Screwy2": like "Screwy", but radius is twice the diameter of the bevel-object.

The end-points can be set to sit oppositely to the startpoints.

New since version V0.1.0 is the possibility to create a random animation of the curves. Several paramters can be adjusted to influence the animation. The created animation is based on Blenders 'shape-keys', so it is possible to readjust the animation afterwards.

For questions or suggestions (or just to present created results): eMail me.

Illustrations of the options
Startpoint-distribution #1: First in the center of the Y-Z-plane rest circularly around the center.	Startpoint-distribution #2: stacked; depending of aspect ratio and area of the Y-Z-plane the count of paths can differ.	Startpoint-distribution #3: random distribution; startpoints may even overlap.
Bevelobject Circle: 4-bezierpoint-circle.	Bevelobjekt Rectangle: 4-vectorpoint-rectangle.	Bevelobjekt Hexagon: 6-vectorpoint-hexagon.
Meander type 1: Straight	Meander type 2: Tidy	Meander type 3: Curvy
Meander type 4: Edgy	Meander type 5: Edgy2	Meander type 6: Jumbled
Meander type 7: Screwy	Meander type 8: Screwy2	Animation example (needs Flash)

Some examples

Responsible for gadgets.grochowy.de is
PGR - Kommunikationsdesign - Patrick Grochowy