Python Scripting - Final Script for Leaning Tower of Pisa

This is the final script. I have managed to make the arches more prominent. 

Final Script+Model

 Boolean was rather tough but with the help from a teacher, I managed to do the arches. I have added the things that I want to cut together in the boolean. For example: MC.polyBoo10p("levels","cuts").

Final Model before Batch Render

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Python Scripting - Cutting to make Archs

Before cutting polygons to make archs, I have created more circles on other levels. To do so, I created another function and copied and pasted from the Arch() function. 

But this time round, I have added for each in range into the function. Since I have 6 levels, I duplicate the group of cylinders 6 times and move them accordingly like what I did for Levels(). 

Cutting polygons in Maya is called Difference, while python commands, it is called polyBoo10p.

Boolean polygons

1. MC.polyUnite is to combine objects together into one.
2. MC.select is to select items.
3. MC.polyBoo10p is to create boolean(difference).

Booleans

The cutting is not deep enough and I have to move the cylinders inwards before cutting to get the arches. 

Python Scripting - Making levels

Making of levels was not that difficult. Actually, it was quite easy to do. 

There are 8 levels for Leaning Tower of Pisa. That includes 6 middle levels, 1 big bottom level and 1 top level. For this script, it runs 6 platforms for the 6 middle levels. 

Index differs one level from another. Since range is 6, it applies to 6 levels. The spacing represents the spacing in between 2 platforms. 

Levels Completed!

Python Scripting - Making columns on more levels

For this post, it will be all about duplicating pillars.

Creating Columns

In order to create more columns for the other 6 levels of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I have added more parameters into the BigColumns function. There are 8 parameters in total and I have added 4 more parameters from the previous. They are scaleY(height of columns), moveZ(movement in Z-axis), rotateX(rotation around X-axis) and scaleXZ(size of columns). I need the other 6 levels to have 18 pillars and the bottom level to have 10 pillars. Just simply put in the variables into the parameters. 

Final Level Scripting

Python Scripting - Rotation of circles solution

After many attempts, I have finally managed to make the circles rotate around the building. Not the best solution, but it works!

Step 1: Creates a cylinder and rotate it -90 degree+ (-5 degree for leaning tower) so that it smacks and stays there on the cylinder. 

Step 2: Group and duplicate then include the number of circles that you want and make them rotate in the Y-axis. Use of equation is "each*36". This is the angle between two circles. It is derived from a complete rotation, (360 degree)/number of circles. In this case, I need 10 circles, so 360 degree/10 equates to 36 degree. 

Step 3: Group them again so that they move, scale and rotate together. 

Rotation of Circles Complete

Python Scripting - Creating Archs(Part 1) and Railings

After creating the columns, it is time to create archs. I have made a new function for the archs. Making the archs was difficult and tedious. I had many problems with creating the archs such as the circles were not placed in the right positions that I want. To make the archs, I have to create circles around the structure and cut them into the cylinder. In this script, the circles are obviously wrongly placed.

Rotation Scripting FAIL

Creating the Railings

I have also made railings for the Leaning Tower of Pisa. To do so, I have created another function. The first thing was to make the circular shapes for the railing bar. I have used a pipe to create the railings. In order to make the railings look circular, I have added poly.smooth below. The main reason why I used poly.smooth is there is no subdivisions to make the pipe circular. For the poles, I made them into a circular formation using the same math equations that were used before. As usual, I have made lists and append for both Railingbars and Poles. After which, I just grouped(MC.group) them together and duplicated(MC.duplicate) once more to produce another railing.

Python Scripting - Simplify columns script

The previous script was kind of messy so I had to put some parameters into the BigColumns function. There are four parameters: NumOfPillars(Number of pillars), SpaceFromCenter(Space from pivot(0,0,0) for columns), Height(height movement in Y-axis) and gap(Space from pivot(0,0,0) for small rings). At the end in the myCreation function, I can just add in the numbers that I want for the 4 attributes. 

Simplified Version Script

I have also grouped the columns together with the torus so that they will move together in height. So first off, I have to create lists and append for both pillars and torus. After which, I grouped them together and move, rotate or scale however I want.  :)