First tutorial figure – Transforming Square

Download:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1003217424281251881/1003753374321225879/Tutorial_-_Square.nodes

This one will also include on how-to-make guide and how it works step by step.

So first, we need to get our values from the calculator. To do so we need to plan out where our points should end up and input them accordingly.

The reason number 3 exists instead of just being a normal segment, is because it\’s connected to smart stretch segment and would end up at 300 as a normal static node instead.

Once we hit \”Calculate\” we will be greeted with our outputs: Offset and Length.

Offset is always a static \”Do not Smart-Stretch\” segment that\’s connected to the Control node.
Length is a normal static node that\’s connected to Offset.
If our Control goes to the right, positive values go also to right, negative means to the left.

Now, instead of making each separate \”joint\” (Offset+Length, name up to debate, give suggestions pls) for each corner, we can group them up.

Now all we need to do is just overlay all things together, connect everything using polyfill and we\’re done.

Give feedback and questions.

Has anyone tried the thing yet

I made smart stretch even more confusing by allowing you to put nodes in predictable locations.

Here\’s the calculator me and @vincetheanimator whipped out:
https://vincetheprogrammer.github.io/smart-stretch-calculator/

Now as to how it works, it\’s a bit hard to initially understand, but once you get it right for the first time, it will become just a pretty convenient tool to have. Control one the site refers to the segment the user will stretch (the very top one on the picture). Start/End is the segment length of the Control, which indicate at what length the segment needs to be to get desired results in the next sentence. The A and B refers to length away from root, when Control is at Start, its at A and vice versa.

For the sake of the example, the Control goes to the right, so anything on the right side of the root are positive values and on the left of it are negative, so we can have A at -200, which is a segment that would be 200 length away to the left of the root. Confusing as hell, I know.

After we hit Calculate, we get 2 outputs. Offset is the length of \”Do not Stretch\” segment that is attached to the Control. Length is the length of a stretchy node that\’s attached to Offset.

Negative Offset or Length means the segment will go towards the opposite direction. So sometimes we would have offset going to the right, sometimes to the left.

Just give this thing a shot and see for yourself. I’ll be bringing in some examples on how this whole mechanism can be used later on, but try to think up some neat little things on your own as well.

Also there\’s this whole group made for this whole thing so… Feel free to ask and show stuff here.