Secondary Symmetry For Build Helpers

[MacThule]

So I am grinding my way through a... large fleet shipyard at the moment, and find myself wondering if there is no way symmetry can be applied in a secondary way to restricted build helper building.

In this case, I am constructing two, symmetrical shipyards for large capital ships. Each consists of a rather huge cylinder (1KM long, with a 250M radius). I have to build each ring separately. Symmetry helps fill each ring on two planes, but I am sorely wishing I could mirror my work outside the restricted circle... but still have the shape be restricted.

I just got done building two huge warp gates as well, and having similar needs. Probably not an easy one to implement, but if there was some way for this to happen it would be fantastically helpful for large-scale construction using build helpers.

 

[Tsnonak]

"Global" and "Local" symmetry...

will mean/need more buttons...

 

[MacThule]

I was thinking the same.

Wouldn't even bother mentioning - it's kind of minor -but overall build functions seem to get a pretty high priority.

The ABM is already practically a CAD application in itself, but hey - I like buttons. Global or Super-symmetry or some kind of secondary symmetry effect would be a challenge to code as well; it borders on adding a fourth dimension to the already 3D symmetry functions.

Would be pretty boss though, and a big help for more complex, larger entities.

 

[DrTarDIS]

Creative use of copy/paste might what you're talking about?

 

[MacThule]

Creative use of copy/paste might what you're talking about?

It probably could on many systems. The same had occurred to me, but in this case - huge rings of 500m diameter - I think it would be troublesome... I have been using C&P quite a lot lately, and I've noticed that when the clipboard item is large, it produces quite a lot of lag for even moving the mouse around (since once Paste is engaged it recalculates the object onto every block you move across). For really large objects it becomes almost impossibpe to use. But yeah... maybe pasting 1/4 circles with good symmetry? I will give it a try, thinking it over a bit more out of the editor it may actually be possible.

 

[DrTarDIS]

It probably could on many systems. The same had occurred to me, but in this case - huge rings of 500m diameter - I think it would be troublesome... I have been using C&P quite a lot lately, and I've noticed that when the clipboard item is large, it produces quite a lot of lag for even moving the mouse around (since once Paste is engaged it recalculates the object onto every block you move across). For really large objects it becomes almost impossibpe to use. But yeah... maybe pasting 1/4 circles with good symmetry? I will give it a try, thinking it over a bit more out of the editor it may actually be possible.

Turn off paste preview?

 

[jayman38]

I had submitted a request long ago for secondary symmetry. It got voted down, because some people think the software simulates a mirror.

 

[MacThule]

I had submitted a request long ago for secondary symmetry. It got voted down, because some people think the software simulates a mirror.

I assumed that it had come up before at some point, considering all of the epic builds out there. I just never saw that thread.
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Creative use of copy/paste might what you're talking about?

So I have found a way to c&p the structures by building a secondary scaffolding structure diagonal to my main scaffold. Still, would have been nice to simply have been able to save an hour of tinkering by having been able to mirror restricted building in the helper.

 

[davedumas0]

So I am grinding my way through a... large fleet shipyard at the moment, and find myself wondering if there is no way symmetry can be applied in a secondary way to restricted build helper building.

In this case, I am constructing two, symmetrical shipyards for large capital ships. Each consists of a rather huge cylinder (1KM long, with a 250M radius). I have to build each ring separately. Symmetry helps fill each ring on two planes, but I am sorely wishing I could mirror my work outside the restricted circle... but still have the shape be restricted.

I just got done building two huge warp gates as well, and having similar needs. Probably not an easy one to implement, but if there was some way for this to happen it would be fantastically helpful for large-scale construction using build helpers.

so basically your saying that when you have symmetry mode AND restrict to build helper area enabled (or with a new button to toggle on and off) it duplicates the "restrict to helper area" in all the symmetry planes?

That would be AWESOME!!

 

[MacThule]

so basically your saying that when you have symmetry mode AND restrict to build helper area enabled (or with a new button to toggle on and off) it duplicates the "restrict to helper area" in all the symmetry planes?

That would be AWESOME!!

That is exactly what I'm suggesting.
Want to make 4 perfect domes or rings all at once? great.

 

[davedumas0]

bump