improve workflow for stepwise evaluation

src/gh/diffCheck/diffCheck/df_geometries.py

@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ def __post_init__(self):
         self._center: DFVertex = None
         # the normal of the face
         self._normal: typing.List[float] = None
+        self._area: float = None
 
     def __getstate__(self):
         state = self.__dict__.copy()
@@ -261,6 +262,12 @@ def normal(self):
             self._normal = [normal_rg.X, normal_rg.Y, normal_rg.Z]
         return self._normal
 
+    @property
+    def area(self):
+        if self._area is None:
+            self._area = self.to_brep_face().ToBrep().GetArea()
+        return self._area
+
 @dataclass
 class DFJoint:
     """
@@ -506,6 +513,27 @@ def compute_axis(self, is_unitized: bool = True) -> rg.Line:
 
         return axis_ln
 
+    def compute_plane(self) -> rg.Plane:
+        """
+        This function computes the plane of the beam based on its axis and the first joint's center.
+        The plane is oriented along the beam's axis.
+
+        :return plane: The plane of the beam
+        """
+        if not self.joints:
+            raise ValueError("The beam has no joints to compute a plane")
+
+        #main axis as defined above
+        main_vector = self.compute_axis().Direction
+
+        #secondary axis as normal to the largest face of the beam
+        largest_face = max(self.faces, key=lambda f: f.area)
+        secondary_axis = largest_face.normal
+        secondary_vector = rg.Vector3d(secondary_axis[0], secondary_axis[1], secondary_axis[2])
+        origin = self.center
+
+        return rg.Plane(origin, main_vector, secondary_vector)
+
     def compute_joint_distances_to_midpoint(self) -> typing.List[float]:
         """
             This function computes the distances from the center of the beam to each joint.