It is with great pleasure that we release Boxcutter 714: Fadeblade. This brings a few changes to the way things work as well as additional functionality. Without further ado let’s go over what is new.

 

Docs have been updated.

Installation

 

Help icon in topbar

Now the help icon is in the topbar to make accessing the documentation easier. As users ask questions we hope to expand on it to automate the learning process of hopscutter.

Fade V1

Shapes now have the ability to fade into view and fade out of view. This has resulted in a much more graceful experience. This was the most time consuming portion of 714. Great care was taken to improve stability in order to support this system.

Fade times are in milliseconds. Set to low numbers to disable.

Fade adds shape afterfade for lazorcut, greybox, and repeat.

Fade can be adjusted via behavior panel or prefs.

Extraction Hide

Previously extractions would remain in user view. That has now been resolved making for a smoother experience. Also the shading of extractions have been improved making them better for use with kitops.

Behavior Panel >> Display Additional Options

In the behavior panel fade options were added from prefs for changing fade options on the fly. Also simple topbar was added for simplifying the topbar while working if preferred.

 

Accucut

Accucut is a new system extending lazorcut’s accuracy.

When using lazorcut in the previous versions it always overshot.

The new version makes it closer to the dimensions of the mesh.

Dots Edit Mode

Dots are back in Boxcutter 714.

When drawing a shape users can tab to live. During live dots exist for Extrude, Offset, Draw and Bevel.

Click the shape to apply.

The draw dot utilizes shift, ctrl and alt draw for fine adjustment of the draw being uniform, center, or corner.

Dots extend to the other shapes in varying degrees.

With circle the diameter and bevel can be changed.

Rounded Snap Dots

Dots for snapping are more rounded. Resulting in a nicer appearance.

 

Radial Array

Pressing V goes into array. Pressing V twice launches radial array.

The radial array can be shifted to live for movement and fine modification.

Since radial array is live and uses modifiers it starts at 3 at this time. In the future we plan to extend on the functionality of this tool and give it a proper start operation.

Array supports all shapes and modes.

Knife Box Display

I am a big fan of knife box however without wire showing it’s potential is misunderstood.

Now wires will show when knife is in use. Allowing you to see what is being cut and how the underlying geometry is being affected.

On completion wires will be turned back off.

Edit Mode Circle No Tris

I am particular about circle not having interior points. Now in edit mode circle no longer leaves center points.

Keep in mind you can not only cut in edit mode but radial array in edit mode and not to mention being able to shift to live from edit mode to object mode and still modify the asset.

In closing

I am excited for the next horizon for Boxcutter. So much almost made it but had to be cut for time on this release. Alot of things planned for next time so don’t count us out just yet. We even wanna show you one last thing to try.

Set the fade out time to any of these numbers.

I hope everyone enjoys this latest release. We can’t wait to see you guys fading real slow.

Always use Boxcutter 7Series with the latest Blender 2.8!

• preference errors are typically caused by older 2.8 versions. Update
• register class already subclass are related. Ensure you have the latest Boxcutter.
• close / reopening Blender resolves most issues with registration if the updates are current.
• forward support issues via the usual channels.

Boxcutter 710 – Phase 9 (1-19-19)

• Material Cut (with hops present)
• Material Cut – Toggle Material with M Key during slice (requires materials)
  
  This means you must have viewport shaded materials for them to show as in the above gif. This is done via using the viewport shading area of the material stack or in the materials >> settings area of the HardOps helper  (ctrl + ~).
  
• Grid System
  
  For cursor grid to orient properly on cursor you will need to access user prefs >> input >> search for “cursor” >> locate Set 3d Cursor and set orientation to Geometry.  Now save user prefs and cursor will orient to the surface.
  
  These are my settings for surface orientation in Boxcutter
  
  For resetting the rotation of the 3d cursor gizmo you are able to shift + ctrl click the gizmo to reset.
  
  We are still working our way into the gizmo system to it can be finicky. For example when rotating on the gizmo you must press R after clicking and dragging it to rotate the 3d cursor.
  
• D Menu
  
• NGON
  
  Begin ngon by selecting the tool and ctrl + click on the object to do a surface draw. Drawing off of the surface is possible once you set the starting points. Double clicking the final point will apply the shape.
  We plan to expand on the extrude / offset behavior in subsequent updates. Angle snapping is also present when ctrl is held.
• Quick Execute / Auto Lazercut
  
• N Panel Update
  
  
• Object Gizmo w/ shift duplicate support
  
  

Phase 8 (12:00pm 1-4-19) Boxcutter 708:

BC R6
– Circle now dissolves center point
– Pause / Play
○ Pause play now works better.
○ Built for working on denser meshes and is faster
○ Creates and does cuts after draw.
○ Alternative to instant cut / draw

• Hotkey is showing before usage / no longer displays panel before use

– Center draw box is back.

– Active cut mode now supports all box types.

– Skip keymapping in batch mode (kudos x123!)
– Fix for linked data removal (nondestructive only)

– Active only rotation fix
○ Now active only mode keeps rotation accurately

– Fix for (1-4) Blender API changes.

The Harden normals parameter was part of the 1-4-18 2.8 Update. The updates today were to prevent errors that happened because of it.

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Boxcutter has been an adventure. And the journey is nowhere near over. Without further ado lets get into it!

Blender 2.8 went Beta today which was our deadline for the next release. We always try to support the latest version of Blender. So many emails and messages about 2.8. and I hear ya “let’s boxcut in Eevee”!

Boxcutter 7: BetaScythe is only supported in Blender 2.8 and depending on changes stability can be variable. After the last Boxcutter release it was apparent that a rewrite would be needed for the end goal of being able to use all shapes in 3d and also allow for custom shapes to the level that we want.

We have plans to integrate widgets in the future to further connect these features with the systems we’d like to add. Our goal is to someday have a setup that can work with mouse, touch and even a pen.

What’s missing?

Like Hard Ops / Boxcutter had a few losses on the way into 2.8. We plan to add them back better than ever but everything required evaluation in this transition. To list the casualties:

• NGON edit mode / curve behavior
• Purple Box
• Rotation
• Scale
• Dots / Widgets

We hope you find more than enough to enjoy what we have in store. Updates for this release will be more frequent until the previous level of excellence is achieved.

I know the things missing stick out. We know and miss them as well. But 2.8 caused us to have to rethink every system so rest assured most features will return stronger than ever.

How do I use Boxcutter?

After installation (placing the folder in your folder) and enabling the add-on.

As you can see the options have been simplified. This will get more complex over subsequent updates.

Auto Smooth – smooths the cutter object / turns on autosmooth on cut

Geometry Repeat – allows for hold ctrl and left clicking to repeat previous cuts.

Multi Edit – allows boxcutter to cut every object selected similar to how 2.8 is

Debug – not needed except for diagnosing issues via the terminal. This will slow down you experience if you leave it on.

About The UI

Boxcutter is our first. Active tool.

You can start it in the T panel.

After clicking the icon (pending) there will be an additional set of options up top in the 3d view.

This version works for now but we expect changes over the next couple of versions that could be a major departure of this current experience.

When Boxcutter is open the toolbar up top will contain options related to Boxcutter. We have great plans for the expansion of this but the tools shown is the current setup.

One of my most requested functions was the behavior panel which is at the end. I find it necessary that users be able to customize their boxcutter experience before, during and after the cut if need be.

To explain each icon there are tooltips but to break them down into sections.

Operation / Shape / Action / Mode / Draw Method / Behavior

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Cut – cuts the shape via the shape selection upon draw

Slice – cuts a separation via the shape selection upon draw

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Box – allows for box drawing of shapes 3d or 2d. Pressing X during draw

Circle – draws a shape using a circle

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Lock Shape – this is part of our pen usage initiative. There is no need to click this as a mouse user and this behaves as an indicator.

hotkey: TAB

Draw Shape – another part of our pen usage initiative. This will allow for us to go back to draw mode and then behave when the pen is found. This is also an indicator.

hotkey: D

Extrude – allows user to expand the shape

hotkey: E

Move – allows for 2d movement.

hotkey: G

Array – allows for array (roll wheel to add more segments) press x y z for axial direction

hotkey: V

Bevel – allows for bevelling (roll wheel for segements). Still remembers the segments from last time. If the mouse is still it can also jump to the same width as the previous shape.

hotkey: B

Many of these are state indicators which currently work better via keyboard shortcuts until widgets are in. Unless you use a pen. Then you are in for a new adventure.

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Destructive – cuts destructively

Non-Destructive – cuts non destructively

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Corner Draw – typical way boxes should be drawn

Center Draw – how circles should be drawn

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Align shape to view – force 2d cutter. If you want to force cuts to be only 2d use this option. Alternatively you can draw in 3d via on the surface or 2d via starting from 3d space.

2d Expand Cut – when using 2d in 2.8 when you cut the mesh is eliminated. By clicking this the shape isn’t seen being eliminated until application. This option comes in handy when attempting to see what is being cut out.

Display cuts during modal – This pause play option will pause instant feedback during cuts. This is more like 2.79 in behavior but with play enabled the cuts will be shown live.

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Adv options – allows for fine tuned adjusments related to the tool. (still in progress)

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Getting Started

I start Boxcutter using the alt + W hotkey personally but the T panel option is also nice.

At the bottom of the 3d view it will say “Activated Boxcutter” in the notification area.

LMB for drawing a box.If the mouse is on the surface it will be a 3d surface box. If the mouse is in 3d space or not on the active shape it will be 2d.

You can force 2d using the options up top.

Notice how when you cut using 2d expand it has a more visual experience than with the dynamic cut but it’s worth experimenting with.

All the cuts so far have been dynamic. Now for a few destructive ones.

Now for an interesting new addition.

If you bevel and then draw starting using the bevel tool the shape will be pre-bevelled. This has been a long requested feature by myself.

Array is also present. And now works with 2d. One of the benefits of a rewrite is the hope we will unify 2d and 3d and have them all contain the same features.

Array can also be remembered for next time via using it as the draw object.

I know I forget some things with these notes but there’s always an easter egg or two to explore.

Now for circle.

Circle is best used with center draw. One day it may default to that but the war over ovals continues internally.

Also if you draw a 3d circle and use ctrl + LMB it will repeat the shape. Another long awaited feature.

Now for slice.

Pressing X during a draw will create a slice. This can be useful for mesh separations and is the beloved rebool come to life.

All these cuts are non destructive meaning I can edit them adjust them and even Csharp them.

Circle can also have it’s segments set via the behavior drop down up top.

You can also Tab into pause and adjust segments then as well.

Circle also arrays. (wip)

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Multicut

When multiple objects are selected cuts will affect them.

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And with that I believe we have covered the initial experience for Boxcutter 7.

Proxe has went above and beyond in his rewrite for 2.8. We aspire to make it much more than it’s 2.79 counterpart and that required rewriting it from the ground up. As always I must thank AR, proxe, and Redfrost for their work on the release. Tony Leonard for his diligence in learning 2.8/HOPS and Boxcutter at the same time and being an all around great user for us to test ideas using a fresh perspective. Also Tony is my sensei.

We hope you enjoy this release and continue to hang in there with us as we strive to bring you the best in cutting for Blender 2.8 and beyond.

Proxe was working on this until the last minute. Be sure to tweet him if you love his work!

And he kept working after that. Go to bed Proxe.

Boxcut image by Tony.

Known issues

Boxcutter F6 box –

Is just for show. If you adjust it errors will result. This is due to differences in the way Blender works now. We hope to find a way around this. However the top bar is recommended for changing things.

 

Extended Notes (these are post release fixes)

Phase 1 (8:07pm 11-30):

Fix for array when kept live.

Array count in top bar for users without scroll

More options exposed up top.

Vertices refers to circle segment count. It only shows if circle is selected.

Array count is also present.

Bevel segments is also present.

Phase 2 (6:15pm 12-2):

Bevel clamp has been fixed for the repeat usage in the bevel.

Repeat Shape has been improved to retain bevel and array.

Bevel 2d has been fixed and should work better.

Array circle has been improved.

• draws correctly
• repeat shape
• array repeat shape support

Bevel segment update.

The options are also context sensitive now.

Slice has been improved with management of choice changes.

Sort Modifiers is a new option we’re experimenting with.

It will keep your modifiers in order and place the boolean at the start.

If you are using a mirror >> bisect / bevel >> angle / weighted normal workflow this will assist while we work on a proper mirror.

Here is an example of me setting it up.

Notice the modifier stack as I cut with sort modifiers on.

The modifier order is kept. We plan to experiment and evolve this option / behavior over time.

Bevel Shrink Fix

If the bevel is too small for comfort it will be removed. This should alleviate issues with doubles.

Flip

I pushed for this for 24 hours. And finally Proxe added it. Took 10 minutes.

We hope you enjoy the latest update!

https://gumroad.com/l/hopscutter

Phase 3 (2:51pm 12-5):

Bugfixes.

Phase 4 (4:10pm 12-6):

Boxcutter 704

Sort modifiers has been expanded.

Now there are options for sort modifiers and options for choosing which modifiers get moved or ignored.

Show Wire – shows wires during draw. Support item.

Blue Box – press K during draw. Cuts in edges.

known issues: will remove weights. We hope this resolves itself as blender evolves.

Start mode tracking – sets mode back to starting tool at the end of tool after using it in a switched state.

Phase 7 (6:00pm 12-18):