Matrix Extrude for Blender, with more options and features then the original

Xylvier · February 21, 2021, 7:50pm

Complete workover: May I introduce … Matrix Extrude Interactive

here a little functionality showcase:

The link Addon Request Matrix Extrude to the topic where my first builds was a response to.

After update 1.2 with the hotfix, I made sure that this runs on 2.83 LTS, 2.91 latest stable and even on the daily master build. The video was taken in Blender 2.83 LTS.

The user interface needed a tight fitting for the interactive usage and some new functionality as well.

Here both the main(left) and the secondary(right), both fully unfold with advanced settings:

The addon can now be called up in the Context menu:

The Mesh menu:

The Face menu:

All 3 had extrude functions already, so this one came right home.

Once the addon is called up the UI will be in the lower left corner, but can be called up as movable UI with F9.

I put a lot thought in the UI, but I am sure there is still space for improvement.

My main ideas are now in.

UPDATE 2.06:

Curves for scaling along the extrusion for both, main and secondary extrusions.
Matrix Extrude curve demo

and presets are back with 2 examples:
Presets examples

That said, please check it out and tell me what you think.

One iteration creations with secondary extrusions:

Two iteration creation with secondary extrusions used in the second iteration:

A bit of tinkering with manual selections in between…

anon19162634 · February 21, 2021, 8:55pm

Thanks for making this addon!
I’ll try 1.1 asap later today.

Later…just tried version 1.1, and the sample blend. When I hit ‘Extrude’, got this cool object…just what I was looking for!

anon72338821 · February 23, 2021, 12:15am

That’s exactly an addon I am looking for. So I got it , but gives me the same error in Blender 2.83 and 2.91

Exception in module register(): C:\Users\Flatron\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\2.83\scripts\addons\MatrixExtrude_init_.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “E:\Downloads3\blender-2.83.12-windows64\blender-2.83.12-windows64\2.83\scripts\modules\addon_utils.py”, line 382, in enable
mod.register()
File “C:\Users\Flatron\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\2.83\scripts\addons\MatrixExtrude_init_.py”, line 50, in register
register_class(cls)
ValueError: bpy_struct “UiProperties” registration error: offset could not register

On Windows 10. Previous version gives same error.

Xylvier · February 23, 2021, 1:55am

Thanks @Peetie for your patronage and also thanks for letting me know.

I just fixed and uploaded the new version.
You should also have received a mail with the hotfix

anon72338821 · February 23, 2021, 8:29am

Awesome, it works:

MatrixExtrude_01

Xylvier · February 23, 2021, 9:18am

Looks great, very nice presentation

Xylvier · February 24, 2021, 9:05am

New version is up on gumroad, big change, check it out.

anon72338821 · February 24, 2021, 10:46am

That’s pretty handy, thanks for the update. Going to make some organic assets with that.
matrix_02

Xylvier · February 24, 2021, 11:51pm

Gave it a try myself, though I’m more of a coder

Xylvier · February 28, 2021, 4:15pm

Currently working on a way to use curve mapping for the scaling, kinda frustrating that the workaround using a warp modifier works (thanks to the inspiration from animation nodes), but the damn zoom/reset view for the grid is not available to python, only internal c. That said, I am now first time “trying” to build in api function for python access, super simple function I need access to, but will see how far I get.

Xylvier · March 1, 2021, 4:04am

Just submitted my first addition to blender code, can be found here:
Reset View function through python for CurveMapping

Super tiny addition, but makes a difference for the one using the curve, not having to click at least 2 times extra just to be able to use the curve. Imho should have been implemented already, but since using the CurveMapping is said to be hacky (I use a similar way like Animation Nodes), I can understand why they didn’t bother with it so far.

Xylvier · March 3, 2021, 11:36pm

So far so good, little peak:

smoother:

I’d say it works, BUT the problem comes with saving and restoring the settings.
Also not completely done with the secondary curve…

Not yet happy as presets mess with the curves and need a workaround, on which I am working atm.
Just sayin I’m working on it

Xylvier · March 4, 2021, 6:04pm

Ok got the secondary curvemapping working, now only preset management that needs treatment.
Believe it should be fun already messing with main and secondary curves, so I’m gonna upload the new version in a moment, no presets though for now, as they kinda break the fun atm. sorry.

Here the mess with 2 curves:

Smoothed out and with a bit light, don’t want to find something like that in my garden though

And it’s not only spheres or cubes that can be extruded, put some antennas on creatures or … well up to you

Like some twigs on good old Suzanne. One extrusion on some of the faces, nothing manual otherwise (ok the material … )

anon19162634 · March 4, 2021, 7:38pm

LOL! I love it!

anon19162634 · March 4, 2021, 7:41pm

@anon72338821, very cool extrude obj & render.
What renderer & materials did you use?
I thought it was Octane, but see you created EV Express.
WIll check it out!

anon72338821 · March 4, 2021, 8:24pm

Yes, both rendered with EV Express, materials are with the material nodes addon. I often use weight paint, open Tissue, and there press Curvature. Then convert it weight paint to vertex colors and use that as attribute to mix two materials.

anon19162634 · March 4, 2021, 10:46pm

They look great! I went ahead and got both EV Express & Material Nodes at Gumroad, and will go through all the tutorials. Thanks!

anon72338821 · March 4, 2021, 11:14pm

Thanks for the interest. You know where to find me in case you need support of have a request.

Xylvier · March 7, 2021, 11:42pm

Just found a chance for a division by zero due to the scaling mapped with the curve, hotfix is up on gumroad, since I can only send so many posts per month

Hope most don’t encounter it, that said, for those seeing it here, please get yourself the new version 2.06.

2.03 got the fix as well as it is the previous version without the presets (in case some don’t like the presets)

Happy blending.

anon19162634 · August 20, 2021, 10:07am

Hey Patrick!
Sorry I haven’t been keeping up, but haven’t gotten notifications for some reason.
(just changed to “watching”)
Anyway, glad to see amazing progress. Many more options than even in C4D.

I downloaded the latest zip, and installed 2.0.3 in Blender 2.92.
I’ll try out the curves function asap, but just extruding is so much fun!
I like symmetry, but great to know I can go “assym-over-elbow”.

BTW, how can I keep the UI open between extrudes?
Possible to add to the “N” sidebar popout like Peetie’s awesome NMS lighting addon?