The Machining_Center is a XPresso working in the CINEMA 4D R8.2 to 8.5 by MAXON Computer. The Machining_Center offers some functions to model a polygon object easier and faster than ever. Usually such functions were offered as "Tool" or "Plugins", so user had to "Select" it from menu or "Press" buttons.
Also the modering job needs many many steps, then if you can omit the processes "Select" or "Press", you may be able to save much time. To omit such processes, the Machining_Center is made as "XPresso". Because the XPresso is executed automatically through your operation "Select" or "Move" elements. So you need not to "Select" or "Press" it.
Since the Machining_Center is a object with a XPresso, you have to place it to the Object Manager. You can do this easily and quickly by registering it to "library/object" folder. After that you can restore it from "Object/Object Library" menu.
The Machining_Center works to only the first selected polygon object in the Object Manager. Also the Machining_Center updates UV coordinates of the polygon object properly.
You can control the Machining_Center through user data which are displayed in the Attribute Manager. You can lock the AM to show the user data at all time, by pressing "New Attribute Manager" button at top right of it.
The CINEMA 4D executes the XPresso in different timing, if you are using Macintosh or Windows. In the Macintosh the XPresso is not executed while mouse button is pressed, however in the Windows it is continuously executed even if the mouose button is pressed.
Therefore, Macintosh version (1.00) can do that "stop execution while the mouse button is pressed, then execute once after it is released", but Windows version (1.21) can not. The Windows version is continuously executed everytime.
According to the difference, I have added a "Menu Plugin" to help the Machining_Center. With the plugin, you can execute it once by a "Key type". The plugin is named as "ExecuteTag", and it executes the Machining_Center if it is placed at top in the Object Manager. Please install the ExecuteTag to "plugins" folder. Also you can apply a key board shortcut to the ExecuteTag, and call it from a key type.
The "Weld_at_Center" and "Diagonal" need the plugin, however the "Weld_atCenter2", "UnTriangulate" or "Optimize" do not need it and they are executed automatically after your operation, same as Macintosh version.
I will explain user data to control the Machining_Center.
v1.00 for Macintosh version
1. STOP
Stop Machining_Center.
2. Undo
Undo Machining_Center.
3. Weld_at_Center
Please change to "Point" mode, and select "Selection" tool, to use the funtion.
With the function, after you selected some points, and released the mouse button, the points are moved to center position of them, and welded to one point. After execution, the point selection is canceled.
4. UnTriangurate
Please change to "Polygon" mode, and select "Selection" tool, to use the funtion.
With the function, after you selected 2 triangles, and released the mouse button, the triangles are converted to one quadrangle. Also you can convert 4 or more triangles at one time. After execution, the polygon selection is canceled.
5. Diagonal
Please change to "Polygon" mode, and select "Selection" tool, to use the funtion.
With the function, after you selected one "4 side" with diagonal, and release the mouse button, the diagonal is flipped to another. Here the "4 side with diagonal" means a "4 side by 2 connected triangles". If you were selected quadrangle (s), they are also converted to 2 pair of triangles. After execution, the polygon selection is canceled.
6. Optimize
Please change to "Point" mode, and select "Move" tool, to use the funtion.
Before to use it, you need to turn on the "3D snap" function, and select "Point" option. Then after you moved one point, and snapped it to another point, and released the mouse button, the points are welded to one point automatically. If you were selected multiple points, nothing may happen. After execution, the point selection is canceled.
v1.21 for Windows version
1. STOP
Stop Machining_Center.
2. Weld_at_Center
Please change to "Point" mode, and select "Selection" tool, to use the funtion.
With the function, after you selected some points, and call "ExecuteTag" plugin, the points are moved to center position of them, and welded to one point. After execution, the point selection is canceled.
3. Weld_at_Center2
This function is almost same as "Weld_at_Center", however it is done automatically after you selected 2 points. You need not to call the ExecuteTag.
4. UnTriangurate
Please change to "Polygon" mode, and select "Selection" tool, to use the funtion.
With the function, after you selected 2 triangles, the triangles are converted to one quadrangle automatically. After execution, the polygon selection is canceled.
5. Diagonal
Please change to "Polygon" mode, and select "Selection" tool, to use the funtion.
With the function, after you selected one "4 side" with diagonal, and call "ExecuteTag" plugin, the diagonal is flipped to another. Here the "4 side with diagonal" means a "4 side by 2 connected triangles". If you were selected quadrangle, they are also converted to 2 triangles. After execution, the polygon selection is canceled.
6. Optimize
Please change to "Point" mode, and select "Move" tool, to use the funtion.
Before you use it, you need to turn on the "3D snap" function, and select "Point" option. Then after you moved one point, and snapped it to another point, the points are welded to one point automatically. If you were selected multiple points, nothing may happen. After execution, the point selection is canceled.
About Licence
The Machining_Center is protected by password which is connected to the serial number of your CINEMA 4D. Before you register it to me, you can use it from 0 AM to 12 AM only, as demo mode. You can not use it any other time.
If you want to register the Machining_Center, please send e-mail to me with following information. My e-mail address is <tofuji@po.jah.ne.jp>
1. your name
2. your e-mail address
3. first 11 digit of serial number of your CINEMA 4D (ex. 10803401521)
The price of the Machinig_Center is 15$, and I can accept the PayPal only. After I checked your payment, I will send your password soon.