can we have "interactive parameters" like parametricparts.com?

[stansu]

Parameters: (Optional) Defines parameters and their default values, which can be manipulated by users to customize the object. Parameters are defined by creating local variables of a particular class type. Presets and groups organize parameters to make them easier to use

http://parametricparts.com/docs/fileformat.html

[dcowden]

Hi, stansu:

We talked about this quite a bit-- and in fact it was a huge discussion
when parametricparts.com was created too.

The question is: what's the best way to support parameters? We've found a
few things would be ideal:

(1) a script in the CQ-freecad-plugin would work when cut-and-pasted
directly into ParametricParts. This would ideally, include metadata for
parametrics

(2) scripts can use variables directly, like circle(fooDiameter) instead of
having to do what PP does now, like circle(fooDiameter.value).

(3) it should be possible to create scripts without parameters. some users
dont really care

(4) parameter validation can reference other parameter values and use
expressions. parameter validation is very complex. though initially it
seems like each parameter can have min,max, type, and preset values, in
even simple objects this breaks down. Consider, for example, a cylinder
with a hole. in this case there are three parameters-- two diamters and
the height. all three have simple > 0 constraints. easy. but the inner
diameter even in this simple object already has a constraint that is
related to the outer diamter: innerDiamter < outerDiameter. On a
development branch for PP i have a new Parametric framework, and there i've
eliminated the idea that constraints are built into a parameter, because
these kinds of relationships cannot be handled.

(5) scripts are simple. today's PP format requires that a build() method
be defined. that is so that i can parse the script on the server, inject
user-supplied values for the parameters, and then run the build method. It
would be better if the script didnt have a build method-- its just one
script. but then there are other questions: how do you return the solid?
how do we inject new variable values without running the script?

Do you have any thoughts on these ?

On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 9:18 PM, stansu notifications@github.com wrote:

Parameters: (Optional) Defines parameters and their default values, which
can be manipulated by users to customize the object. Parameters are defined
by creating local variables of a particular class type. Presets and groups
organize parameters to make them easier to use

http://parametricparts.com/docs/fileformat.html

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#19.

[stansu]

Can you give me your discussion's link? I think it is better to give you advise before knowing what you been discussed.

I want "interactive parameter" like those on parametricpart.com, is because sometimes I want to "interactive debug" my script. By tuning parameters, I can see my script visually progress. It helps me to learning cadquery.

Thanks for your reply.

[dcowden]

Actually I think those discussions were all pms with Jeremy not online....

Most of the discussions were around the topics I summarized.

What do you think a good script format would be?
On Dec 10, 2014 5:05 PM, "stansu" notifications@github.com wrote:

Can you give me your discussion's link? I think it is better to give you
advise before knowing what you been discussed.

I want "interactive parameter" like those on parametricpart.com, is
because sometimes I want to "interactive debug" my script. By tuning
parameters, I can see my script visually progress. It helps me to learning
cadquery.

Thanks for your reply.

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#19 (comment)
.

[stansu]

i see.
about your ideas...

(1) do you mean a plugin can automatic convert script to PP script?

(2) i like this.

(3) i like this too.

(4) i have try some parameter relation on http://parametricparts.com/parts/rvj87x56/
when you increase grid inner counts, it inner gap length and grid outer length will be adjust.
is this what you mean parameter validation?

(5) maybe like freecad script objects?
quote..."Properties are the true building stones of FeaturePython objects. Through them, the user will be able to interact and modify your object." http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Scripted_objects

and finally, i think a good script format is as freedom as possible. in order to reuse many python script out there.

those is my humble opinions, :)

[dcowden]

Actually we were thinking that a script in cadquery IS a valid PP script
with no conversion required...

I really don't like freecad script objects. I found them too complex given
what they do.
On Dec 10, 2014 7:55 PM, "stansu" notifications@github.com wrote:

i see.
about your ideas...

(1) do you mean a plugin can automatic convert script to PP script?

(2) i like this.

(3) i like this too.

(4) i have try some parameter relation on
http://parametricparts.com/parts/rvj87x56/
when you increase grid inner counts, it inner gap length and grid outer
length will be adjust.
is this what you mean parameter validation?

(5) maybe like freecad script objects?
quote..."Properties are the true building stones of FeaturePython objects.
Through them, the user will be able to interact and modify your object."
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Scripted_objects

and finally, i think a good script format is as freedom as possible. in
order to reuse many python script out there.

those is my humble opinions, :)

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#19 (comment)
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[jmwright]

@stansu You might be interested in the discussion on parameters that's going on here.

[stansu]

@jmwright thanks!

[jmwright]

I have found a couple of situations where it would be very helpful for me personally to have interactive parameters like this, especially booleans that could be toggled with shortcut keys. The following are the two scenarios I currently have on my mind.

1. I have an xray boolean that toggles transparency on parts so that I can more easily view the interior of an assembly. It would be cool to be able to toggle this, and maybe increase and decrease the transparency setting, easily through key bindings and/or GUI controls.
2. My assembly has both a retracted and extended state. It would be great to have a key binding or quick way to access the "retracted" boolean for this state within the GUI. This one would take priority over number 1 for me actually. This would allow me to quickly view how the changes I'm making are effecting the two extreme positions of the assembly.

[dcowden]

yeah, i agree that both are useful.

Solidworks and Pro/E call the second type a "configuration"-- its the same
as what parametricparts calls a "preset"-- a set of pre-defined values of
all parameters ( or a subset ) that reflect set values.

In Solidworks, you can actually attach an excel spreadsheet to a part, and
generate an arbitrary number of configurations that are driven from the
spreadsheet.

On Thu, Jan 8, 2015 at 11:21 AM, Jeremy Wright notifications@github.com
wrote:

I have found a couple of situations where it would be very helpful for me
personally to have interactive parameters like this, especially booleans
that could be toggled with shortcut keys. The following are the two
scenarios I currently have on my mind.

1. I have an xray boolean that toggles transparency on parts so that I
   can more easily view the interior of an assembly. It would be cool to be
   able to toggle this, and maybe increase and decrease the transparency
   setting, easily through key bindings and/or GUI controls.
2. My assembly has both a retracted and extended state. It would be
   great to have a key binding or quick way to access the "retracted" boolean
   for this state within the GUI. This one would take priority over number 1
   for me actually. This would allow me to quickly view how the changes I'm
   making are effecting the two extreme positions of the assembly.

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#19 (comment)
.