Bevel.pxp v1.0 copyright 1995 Spectral Imaging

Creator Peter Watje
	   Compuserve Address : 74453,225
	   Internet Address   : peterw@blarg.net

Bevel.pxp is work around for the 3D Studio bevel lofting routine which 
generates to many invalid bevel objects errors.  It takes the selected 
faces of an object and bevels the selected faces x units dependant on 
the normal of the faces.  Only vertices on the visible edges of the 
faces are moved.  Also vertexes are only moved none are created 
(that is the pxp does not extrude the faces only moves the vertices).

To install just copy the bevel_i.pxp into your 3d Studio process 
directory (usually c:\3ds4\process)

PXP parameters

Length is the length of the bevel in units.  Positive values are an 
inward bevel negative values are outward bevel.

Basic Steps

1.  Create text in the 2d shaper.
2.  Import it into lofter, add another vertex to the path so you will get 3 
steps and loft.
3.  Go into the editor and select the front faces(faces to be beveled).
4.  Run the BEVEL.PXP and enter the bevel length and hit OK.
5.  Click the object to beveled.
6.  Cleanup vertices.

Tutorial

1.  Load up BEVEL.PRJ in the editor.
2.  Notice that the front faces have been selected and the depth of the 
text consist of 3 layers.
3.  Run the BEVEL.PXP by hitting F12 key and selecting BEVEL.
4.  Set the bevel length to 1 and hit OK.
5   Click on the text mesh and then the pxp will generate the bevel.
6.  Clean up the vertices that bevel pxp misplaced.  You can see these 
at the tail the "t" and "c" and the hook of the "r" there are about 8 
vertices that need to tweaked so that the faces don't intersect each 
other(look for visible edges that intersect).
 

Notes

This not a perfect IPAS routine.  It was just designed as a work 
around to the built in bevel function.  It will always try to create a 
bevelled object but sometimes it will generate incorrect vertices which 
need to cleaned up.  Running bevel.pxp multiple times on an object 
increases the chances of generatoring incorrect vertices.  Also it has 
not been tested with non coplanar face (I have no idea what it will do 
but it should do something).    The pxp uses the visible edges on the 
face to determine what needs to be beveled.  If you have visible edges 
that branch unpredictable results may occur.  By the way all the 
normal disclaimers apply ( I am not responsible for any damage that 
this pxp may cause) and that this pxp may be given away freely.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to email me.

Other IPAS routines in the works.

A volume light generator AXP.
A laser bolt generator AXP.
A database KXP to keep track of key info.
A walker KXP to automatically generate follow paths objects IK.
 
