Spline friendly Clone MCG\Modifier

At last I found that Itoo's :) SplineOffset modifier does the job.

https://www.itoosoft.com/freeplugins/splineoffset

I could PM you some examples, no problem

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Was Itoo's Clone made with C++? I could request 'spine preserving' but I'm not sure chances are too high :)

Yep it's a c++ plugin. I guess chances are close to zero since it is decade old free plugin.
But then again you'll have to prove your point about the advantage of 'clone shape before converting to mesh' for them to work on your request.
I still can not imagine where it can be useful.
Could you maybe post some images?

Rather sad news.. Is there strong reason for such limitations?

  >>It doesn't respect previous modifier stack state, but only node's baseobject.

And if you'd apply editable spline modifier right before Spline Clone? It wont help?

I guess there's no reason for this. It's just not implemented in maxscript, while it is absolutely possible for c++ native modifier plugin. Mirror modifier for example.

>> And if you'd apply editable spline modifier right before Spline Clone? It wont help?
What you see is not really a scripted modifier, but the attribute holder and a rollout with some controls. It modifies existing node's baseobject down the stack.
So when you go down the stack to modify the original shape there's no original shape anymore, unless you manually revert these changes applied to baseobject.

Not user friendy, doesn't support animation, editing and many many more reasons not to call it a modifier.

>>>If the result of modifier stack is a geometry object there's no need in 'shape clone' modifier.
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Because I NEED to procedurally deform splines in clone stack BEFORE applying general sweep. Otherwise any of FFD or Twist would deform meshes delivered by sweep as well.

Unfortunately it is impossible to make such modifier using maxscript.

This is the maximum you can do with script. And it has some serious limitations.
It can't be turned on/off. It doesn't respect previous modifier stack state, but only node's baseobject. Can't be applied as instance to multiple shapes. And list goes on...

In short bevel, sweep, and clone modifiers give you some fantastic options that are much harder to achieve using other modifiers. I tried to PM you some examples but there's no contact option in your profile.

... bevel, sweep, and clone modifiers give you some fantastic options
These modifiers turn shape object to mesh object (i.e geometry object).
Why can't you just clone resulting mesh using existing clone modifiers? iToo Clone for example

If the result of modifier stack is a geometry object there's no need in 'shape clone' modifier.

The point is to have a fully parametric stack with ability to add nice things like sweeps bevels etc.

Ok. Just an example.
I used mirror modifier as a cheap substitute for nonexistent 'clone modifier' that clones splines.

Results are identical. Can you explain me the difference between the two?
Why is it even matter when and what we clone?

delete objects
gc()

-- first we clone and only then do the other things
r = Rectangle width:50 length:50 name:#object_1 pos:[-100,0,0] wirecolor:yellow
mirror_mod = Mirror copy:on offset:55 name:#CLONE_MOD
addModifier r mirror_mod
addModifier r (Extrude amount:50)

-- first we do the things and only then clone resulting mesh
r = Rectangle width:50 length:50 name:#object_2 pos:[100,0,0] wirecolor:yellow
addModifier r (Extrude amount:50)
mirror_mod = Mirror copy:on offset:55 name:#CLONE_MOD
addModifier r mirror_mod

But what's the point to have such modifier?
In most cases splines are converted to mesh or poly up in the stack anyway.

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