Ok - there are a number of pencil models available - but none that did JUST
what I wanted. So I whomped up this one.

_everything_ is controlled by a parameter, and the size is strictly
controllable, known, and it even gives you the bounding cylinder for the
pencil. You should be able to place the models this macro creates precisely
in a scene.

Attached are a few examples, all pencils are created  by the same macro,
just with different parameters.

Any suggestions at how to improve these models is much appreciated.

NOTE : this combines the ideas of several models as well as a few original
ideas, and some staring are real pencils. I could not have done this, had
other people not written, and published their models. Thank you.

Parameters to date
------------------------

The pencil has it's sharpened point at <0,0,0>, extends in the +y direction,
and is completely bound by cylinder
 <0,0,0>,<0,pencil_length,0>,pencil_radius }

FLAGS

Round : If yes, make the pencil round, else, make a hexagonal body.

Sharpened : If yes, trim the pencil body and lead with the shear_cone to
make a pointed pencil. Otherwise, the pencil will be 'brand-new'

Eraser : If yes, shorten the pencil body, add an eraser, and add an eraser
sleeve. The total length of the pencil still equals pencil_length.

Painted : If yes, slap a coat of paint on the pencil (see Matched flag), if
not, leave it bare wood_texture.

Matched : If yes, make the pencil's paint the same color as it's lead. If
not, make the paint paint_texture.

VARIABLES

pencil_radius : The outside radius of the pencil. if the round flag is set,
this will be the radius of the cylinder, if not, the hexagonal prism that
makes up the body of the pencil will be inside this cylinder, making the
midpoints of the sides _less_ distant from the center.

pencil_length : this is the total length of the pencil, including eraser, if
included.

lead_radius : the radius of the cylindrical lead inside the pencil body.

cone_taper : this is the measure of the angle (in radians) of the 'sharp
point' of the pencil. Lower values will make the cone narrower, and make the
sharpened part longer.

Eraser_length : The length of the rubber eraser on the end of the pencil.
Partially hidden by the metal sleeve.

wood_overlap : the amount the metal sleeve fits over the wooden shaft of the
pencil

eraser_overlap : the amount the metal sleeve fits over the eraser.

spacing : the gap between the ends of the eraser sleeve, and the beginning
of the ridged sections. Note : the way that the ridges are constructed
sometimes means the gap on the eraser side is less. This only occurs if the
ridged region is not of a length that is a multiple of 2*ridge_radius.

ridge_radius : the radius of the individual torus ridges on the metal eraser
sleeve.

band_width : the width of the painted band in the middle of the eraser
sleeve. Can be set to zero if no such band is desired.

metal_thickness : the thickness of the eraser sleeve.

Textures

paint_texture : the texture used for the coat of paint, if the pencil is
painted, and if the matched flag is not set.

lead_texture : the texture used for the pencil lead, and the paint_texture
IF the matched flag is set.

Wood_texture : the texture of the wood body of the pencil. NOTE : this is
the texture of the sharpened surfaces, and the trimmed ends only. If the
pencil is trimmed by CSG, the body of the pencil will show the
paint_texture.

eraser_texture : the texture of the eraser, if present.

holder_texture : the texture of the eraser_sleeve, if present

band_texture : the texture of the painted band on the eraser sleeve, if
present.

---------------------------------

I would like to add the ability to put writing on the side of the pencils
before I post the actual macro, provided there is interest.


Suggestions anyone?

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Attachments:
Download 'macrotest.jpg' (31 KB)

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