Loop Cut enhancment: SCALE cuts away from each other
(Hoping this isn't already implemented...)
Many's the time I've wanted to place two loop cuts symmetrically along a long skinny object, but TMK this isn't currently easily possible. Loop cuts are always evenly spaced.
I suggest there be made a mechanism by which users can scale the new cuts away from the center line. EG: If the user dials up 2 loop cuts, this mechanism (ctrl key??) would scale them away from the center line.
15 Comments
Isn't Shift-R+Ctrl-B this exact thing? Or am I missing something?
* @Blenderer * The only problem with doing it that way is, sometimes you don't want the edges to stay parallel, but instead to edge-slide along the existing contour. Bevel will always slide the edges parallel. The workaround I mentioned will do the other thing -- give you even edge-slide along either the outside or inside edges. Bevel only does the inside (and even then I think the behavior is slightly different).
Knowing both is best.
this is easily doable with a custom operator. stuff like this is why i encourage everybody to learn a little Python, something like this is super easy to write. In fact, I wrote this exact thing for somebody at my studio not too long ago, when I'm on my home PC I'll dig up the script:
* @testure * Looks like the ticket.
Place the loop cut, select the new edge-loop,
ctrl-shift-r(offset edge-loop), then delete the first edge loop withx-g.* @Josephbburg * That's pretty good.
Q: does "Offset Edge Loop" appear in any menus ? I took a look but couldn't locate it. I know it's in the tool bar, but shouldn't it also be in a menu somewhere?
* @jeric_synergy * menus 🤣
it's in the W-menu. You can find out if something is in a menu with the operator search (F3).
* @Josephbburg * I don't think this applies to 2.8n. It is in the ALT status line hotkey reminder. --Ugh, I found it: in Edge Mode it's in the rclick context menu. (I think the Blender menus are a real dog's breakfast.)
W just cycles thru the selection methods.
* @jeric_synergy * Oh. You should always specify that you're using left click select. It's
Wwhen you use right click select.* @Josephbburg * , it'll be a cold day in hell I use right click select.
3 workarounds: scale loopcuts along the proper axis / add more loopcuts as many as needed to get the two at the boundaries, and then delete the redundant in the center / Place 2 loopcuts then select one press G twice place where you please and take note of the scale number (x); now select the other one and place at 1-x
* @ Lsscpp * In fact I did your first option, but deleting ~14 loop cuts is definitely laborious.
Anything that involves the user remember a number is a loser IMO. There's a computer right there - IT should remember numbers.
I make this proposal because as user testure demonstrates below with a GIF it would be quite useful.
* @jeric_synergy * yes. I listed thesome workaround but a modifier key and drag to place symmetrical loops would be cool. But what in case you make more than 2 loops?
* @ Lsscpp * for odd numbered #s of loops, the center loop would stay still, and the outer loops would scale away from it (just like offset loop slide). For even numbered # of loops, the loops would scale away from the center.
Basically, we're saving a couple operation: switching tools, and deleting the first/middle loop cut. Also adding some functionality. I note that CTRL-R loop cut has functionality that the toolbar version seems to lack -- I'm not sure why.
* @jeric_synergy * -- SPECIFICALLY: Ctrl+R allows you to scroll up the number of cuts interactively, while the Toolbar version does not. --Which is lame.