Hi all,
This is an instruction and discussion post for a new app that will be released soon.
You can find a video of this app in action here: https://youtu.be/HU1sXGzx5fI
There are 3 modes for this app. Each mode is based on the number of shapes you initially select in Easel. You can select 0, 1, or 2 shapes to achieve different effects. The input parameters change depending on the number of shapes selected.
Mode 1: No shapes selected
This mode allows you to create a gradient square or circle based on the inputs.
Curve Type: This affects how the gradient “feels” or transitions from the highest point to the lowest. See appendix A for how these curves look.
Custom Curve: Allows you to input custom bezier parameters for a custom curve.
Start Depth: Any depth you want. The gradient is generated from the outside in.
End Depth:* Any depth you want.
Steps: The number of gradient steps that make up the gradient. The more steps, the finer / smoother the end gradient, but the longer it takes to carve.
Direction: Allows you to select the gradient direction. Usually this is “Inwards”, however you can have the gradient move across the shape in a specific direction.
Angle: Allows you to have a custom gradient direction if “Specific Angle” is selected in the option above.
Shape Type:** “rectangle” or “ellipse”
Shape Height / Width: Define shape height / width
Gradient Length %: Only affects “inward” direction. At 100% the gradient will try and go as far into the shape as possible. To only have the gradient travel a certain distance, specify a percentage of how far to go.
Mode 2: 1 Shape Selected, closed or open.
This mode allows you to create a gradient within the specific shape selected.
Curve Type: This affects how the gradient “feels” or transitions from the highest point to the lowest. See appendix A for how these curves look.
Custom Curve: Allows you to input custom bezier parameters for a custom curve.
Start Depth: Any depth you want. The gradient is generated from the outside in.
End Depth: Any depth you want.
Steps: The number of gradient steps that make up the gradient. The more steps, the finer / smoother the end gradient, but the longer it takes to carve.
Direction: Allows you to select the gradient direction. Usually this is “Inwards”, however you can have the gradient move across the shape in a specific direction.
**Angle: Allows you to have a custom gradient direction if “Specific Angle” is selected in the option above.
Shape Type: “self”, “rectangular” or “circular”. Currently only “self” is supported.
Gradient Length %: Only affects “inward” direction. At 100% the gradient will try and go as far into the shape as possible. To only have the gradient travel a certain distance, specify a percentage of how far to go.
Mode 3: 2 shapes selected, open or closed
This mode allows you to create a gradient between the curves of two shapes.
Curve Type: This affects how the gradient “feels” or transitions from the highest point to the lowest. See appendix A for how these curves look.
Custom Curve: Allows you to input custom bezier parameters for a custom curve.
Start Depth: Any depth you want. The gradient is generated from the outside in.
End Depth: Any depth you want.
Steps: The number of gradient steps that make up the gradient. The more steps, the finer / smoother the end gradient, but the longer it takes to carve.
Resolution: each curve is split into tiny steps, this parameters affects how many steps there are. Higher numbers will give a smoother result, but are slower.
Fix Path: Occasionally the end point from one path will not connect to the right end point of the other path. This checkbox will toggle the connections and fix this issue.
Remove Original Shape: What it says.
Appendix A: Curve Types
linear, ease-in, ease-out, ease-in-out, inner-radius, outer-radius, custom
Happy Carving,
Ethan
