Cannot convert metaballs to mesh and keep copy #50407

New Issue

Chris Bell · 2017-01-10T11:16:03+01:00

Chris Bell commented

2017-01-10 11:16:03 +01:00

System Information
WIndows 10

Blender Version
Blender 2.78a

Short description of error
Documentation talks about being able to create a mesh version of a metaball but retain original but there is no option to do this.

"You can only convert metas to meshes, but here you have the option to keep the original Meta object (i.e. create a new Mesh one, instead of a “real” conversion...)"
https://www.blender.org/manual/modeling/metas/editing.html#conversion

Exact steps for others to reproduce the error
Create a metaball set, pick the root metaball and press Alt-C. You are given only the Convert to Curve or Mesh options and no further options to keep original. This is either an error in the documentation or the option is missing. I would really prefer to HAVE the option as I cannot find another way to do this. Copying a metaball is very hard as duplications become members of the family rather than creating a full duplicate of the metaball.

**System Information** WIndows 10 **Blender Version** Blender 2.78a **Short description of error** Documentation talks about being able to create a mesh version of a metaball but retain original but there is no option to do this. "You can only convert metas to meshes, but here you have the option to keep the original Meta object (i.e. create a new Mesh one, instead of a “real” conversion...)" https://www.blender.org/manual/modeling/metas/editing.html#conversion **Exact steps for others to reproduce the error** Create a metaball set, pick the root metaball and press Alt-C. You are given only the Convert to Curve or Mesh options and no further options to keep original. This is either an error in the documentation or the option is missing. I would really prefer to HAVE the option as I cannot find another way to do this. Copying a metaball is very hard as duplications become members of the family rather than creating a full duplicate of the metaball.

Chris Bell commented

2017-01-10 11:16:03 +01:00

Changed status to: 'Open'

Chris Bell commented

2017-01-10 11:16:03 +01:00

Added subscriber: @Nodrap

ronan ducluzeau commented

2017-01-10 12:33:38 +01:00

Added subscriber: @zeauro

ronan ducluzeau commented

2017-01-10 12:33:38 +01:00

No, there is no error in the documentation.
But, it could be more precise.

By pressing Alt C, you call convert menu which have only two items : "Convert to Curve from Mesh/Text" or "Convert to Mesh from Curve/Meta/Surf/Text".

You have to validate the second one.

Then, after validation, you will have access to the Keep Original option into Last Operator Panel at bottom of toolshelf or in floating panel after pressing F6.
With this panel, you can change your mind and check/uncheck the option, many times, as you want.
Until you call another operator that will replace the convert one in this panel.
https://www.blender.org/manual/interface/undo_and_redo.html#redo-last

No, there is no error in the documentation. But, it could be more precise. By pressing Alt C, you call convert menu which have only two items : "Convert to Curve from Mesh/Text" or "Convert to Mesh from Curve/Meta/Surf/Text". You have to validate the second one. Then, after validation, you will have access to the Keep Original option into Last Operator Panel at bottom of toolshelf or in floating panel after pressing F6. With this panel, you can change your mind and check/uncheck the option, many times, as you want. Until you call another operator that will replace the convert one in this panel. https://www.blender.org/manual/interface/undo_and_redo.html#redo-last

Chris Bell commented

2017-01-10 13:38:43 +01:00

Ahh ok, I see whats happened. After adding the metaballs I scrolled down this large area of the last operator panel and then when I made the mesh it didn't adjust the scrollbar on it so you only saw a scrollbar at the bottom and the few settings are off the panel at the top.

So when I glanced at this area I didn't see the option.

Shall I report this as a different bug?

Thanks.

Ahh ok, I see whats happened. After adding the metaballs I scrolled down this large area of the last operator panel and then when I made the mesh it didn't adjust the scrollbar on it so you only saw a scrollbar at the bottom and the few settings are off the panel at the top. ![lastoperatorpanelbug.PNG](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F431051/lastoperatorpanelbug.PNG) So when I glanced at this area I didn't see the option. Shall I report this as a different bug? Thanks.

ronan ducluzeau commented

2017-01-10 17:23:04 +01:00

I think it is not necessary.

It is a limitation of current UI.
There are several projects and improvements to UI that are planned for 2.8.

Developer in charge of managing these changes did a last operator panel that was automatically resized and decoupled from toolshelf during a GSOC project.
This solution was a little too bit distracting and as a consequence 3DView was cluttered by 3 columns.
So, finally it did not go into Official Blender.
They are still searching better solutions.
But developers are already aware of the problem.

I think it is not necessary. It is a limitation of current UI. There are several projects and improvements to UI that are planned for 2.8. Developer in charge of managing these changes did a last operator panel that was automatically resized and decoupled from toolshelf during a GSOC project. This solution was a little too bit distracting and as a consequence 3DView was cluttered by 3 columns. So, finally it did not go into Official Blender. They are still searching better solutions. But developers are already aware of the problem.

Chris Bell commented

2017-01-10 17:34:29 +01:00

Changed status from 'Open' to: 'Archived'

Chris Bell closed this issue

2017-01-10 17:34:29 +01:00

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Cannot convert metaballs to mesh and keep copy #50407