Move/repulse overlapping objects? Collision detection for non-cloth objects?

[Anonymous]

I have a scene with many thousands of pieces of simple geometry and I would like to make sure that none of them are overlapping. I have found a script that deletes overlapping objects but the solution I am after is something that moves/repulses objects until they are no longer overlapping. It seems like a function found in cloth but I can't find anything for ordinary geometry. Any ideas?

[hagen.deloss]

Hi @Anonymous

Thanks for bringing your question to the forums! No sure-fire method is coming to mind, but most likely there is a script for it.

Maybe a pbomb space warp set in the middle of your objects with a gradual exponential velocity could work? Just run the simulation for a few frames. That would be an extremely organic look and take some adjusting...

If the objects are organic looking, or simple enough, you could apply a relax modifier to them and adjust that. 

Xview only isolates overlapping faces from the same object. But if that built in tool is useful you can go to Xview>Overlapping Faces and turn that on to see the problem areas, here as an article outlining Xviews features.

I hope this information helps!

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Diffus3d · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

What you are describing is a basic function for physics systems such as MassFx and rigid bodies.  The big problem here in my opinion is the overall scale of what you're describing which may make using MassFx a bit of a pain.  For me, speed and ease is what I typically need to optimize for bigger than normal tasks like the one you describe.  

I think your best bet is some kind of physics plugin such as RayFire.  You probably won't be able to sim thousands at once though, you'll have to do a few hundred at a time for sanity's sake.  You could try it with MassFx but I think RayFire would do it pretty simply in less time.  You could try the demo to see if it'll work for you.   There are other physics plugins as well, RayFire is the one I know.  

I think the hardest part will be preventing parts from flying away that are intersecting when the sim begins.  If they intersect that can happen, but maybe a high gravity and high mass will prevent it.  

Best Regards,

[hagen.deloss]

@Anonymous

Any ideas or questions on my previous post? It would be helpful if you had time to give an update, that way other Community Members can benefit from your process 😄

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi, sorry, I expected to get an email when there was a response but did not see anything. Relax won't work in this case as it does the job but effects the geometry to much. I think something like Rayfire might work, I had used it some time ago but forgot about it. Thanks for the suggestions.