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DAMTools - New Features Summary

This document summarizes the major new features added to DAMTools addon.

🎯 v1.6.2 Updates

🔄 CopyTo - Smart Object Duplication

What's New: - Position-based duplication: Copy active object to origins of all selected objects - Smart selection handling: Select targets first, source last for intuitive workflow - Collection management: Copies automatically inherit source object's collection - Validation system: Clear feedback for proper selection requirements

Workflow: 1. Select destination objects (where copies should be placed) 2. Select source object last (becomes active) 3. Activate CopyTo from Arrangement section 4. Copies appear at exact origin points of target objects

Use Cases: - Hardware placement (screws, bolts, fasteners) - Decoration distribution across models - Component positioning at predetermined locations - Detail work with identical elements

🔧 autoBool - Intelligent Boolean Operations

What's New: - Modal interface: Real-time operation selection with mouse wheel - Smart detection: Automatic proximity-based object pairing - HardOps integration: Professional cutters collection management - Non-destructive workflow: Modifier-based boolean operations

Modal Interface: - Dynamic header showing current operation - Mouse wheel operation switching (Union/Difference/Intersect) - Visual feedback with green highlighting for selected operation - Real-time status showing detected cutter → target pairs

HardOps Compatibility: - Automatic "cutters" collection creation and positioning - Wireframe display conversion for cutting objects - Render exclusion for professional workflow - Collection ordering following HardOps standards

Technical Features: - Bounding box proximity detection - DAMTools theme integration - Modal UI with consistent styling - Proper cleanup and error handling

🎯 v1.6.1 Updates

�🎯 Planar Cut - Local View Fix & Improvements

What's New: - Local View Compatibility: Fixed face detection in Local View mode - only recognizes visible faces - Clean Operation: Removed all debug console spam for silent operation - Improved Algorithm: Enhanced object separation using duplicate+bisect approach - Reliable Cutting: Eliminates geometry fragmentation issues

Technical Details: - Uses context.visible_objects for accurate face detection - Duplicate object approach prevents mesh corruption - Silent operation without console output - Compatible with both Local View and Global View

🎲 Random Selector - Dual Mode Enhancement

What's New: - Selection-First Mode: Default operation works with pre-selected objects - Collections Fallback: Ctrl+Invoke activates collections mode - Dynamic Mode Switching: Tab to change between modes during operation - Selection Persistence: Maintains original selection pool throughout operation - Smart Fallback: Automatically switches to collections if no selection

New Workflow: 1. Normal Invoke: Works with current selection (new default) 2. Ctrl+Invoke: Works with collections (original behavior) 3. Tab Switching: Change modes during operation 4. Persistent Pool: Mousewheel maintains same object set

Interface Updates: - Adaptive overlay showing current mode - Clear indicators for Selection vs Collections mode - Enhanced controls documentation in overlay - Visual feedback for mode switching

🧹 TopoCleaner - Advanced Mesh Cleaning

Location: Shift+W Menu → CLEANING → Default Clean / Aggressive Clean

Features:

  • Two cleaning modes: Default (conservative) and Aggressive (comprehensive)
  • Recursive processing: ALT+Click for automatic iteration until convergence
  • Progress feedback: Non-blocking operation with progress bars
  • Detailed results: Verbose reporting of all changes made
  • Smart activation: Buttons only available when cleaning is beneficial

Cleaning Operations:

  • Remove loose geometry (vertices, edges)
  • Merge duplicate vertices (0.0001 threshold)
  • Convert triangles to quads
  • Limited dissolve (5° default, 1° aggressive)
  • Recalculate normals

Usage:

  • Basic: Click Default/Aggressive Clean for single-pass cleaning
  • Recursive: ALT+Click for automatic multi-pass cleaning until convergence

⚡ InternalUnion - Intelligent Boolean Operations

Location: Shift+W Menu → CLEANING → InternalUnion

Features:

  • Intelligent detection: Automatically analyzes geometry complexity
  • Three strategies: Loose parts, separate volumes, overlapping geometry
  • Smart button behavior: Only activates when union operations are beneficial
  • ALT+Click enhancement: Automatic triangulation after union
  • Multiple processing methods: Adapts approach based on geometry type

Detection Strategies:

  1. Loose Parts: Completely disconnected mesh islands → Separate + Boolean + Join
  2. Separate Volumes: Connected but distinct volumes → Advanced boolean operations
  3. Overlapping Geometry: Coincident faces → Internal boolean cleanup

Usage:

  • Basic Union: Click InternalUnion to automatically detect and unify complex geometry
  • Union + Triangulation: ALT+Click for union operations plus automatic triangulation
  • Perfect for: CAD imports, game development, 3D printing preparation

� SlicerExport - 3D Printing Integration

Location: Shift+W Menu → FILE HANDLING → SlicerExport

Features:

  • Multi-slicer support: Bambu Studio and PrusaSlicer
  • Hot-reload workflow: Export once, update multiple times
  • Automatic slicer launch: Opens your preferred slicer automatically
  • Smart button activation: Disabled when no objects are selected
  • Multiple export formats: STL (binary) and OBJ

Usage:

  1. Select objects to export
  2. Open SlicerExport from Shift+W menu
  3. Choose slicer and settings
  4. Click "Export to [Slicer]" - slicer opens automatically
  5. Make changes in Blender, click "Update Export" for hot-reload

📊 Technical Improvements v1.6.1

Planar Cut Enhancements:

  • Raycast filtering: Uses visible_objects for accurate detection
  • Algorithm upgrade: Duplicate+bisect approach for clean separation
  • Silent operation: Complete removal of debug output
  • Local View support: Perfect compatibility with isolated view mode

Random Selector Enhancements:

  • Dual-mode architecture: Selection and Collections modes
  • Original selection storage: Prevents degradation during operation
  • Mode detection: Automatic Ctrl+Invoke detection
  • Fallback system: Smart switching when no selection available

Performance:

  • Non-blocking operations: Progress bars prevent UI freezing
  • BMesh-based processing: Maximum reliability and speed
  • Memory efficient: Optimized for large mesh processing
  • Error handling: Graceful fallbacks and recovery

User Experience:

  • Smart button states: Automatic enable/disable based on context
  • Detailed feedback: Verbose reporting of all operations
  • Context awareness: Tools adapt behavior based on geometry analysis
  • Improved workflows: Selection-first approach for better UX

🔧 Integration with Existing Tools

  • New CLEANING section: Dedicated container for topology tools
  • Improved spacing: Fixed UI overlap issues in Shift+W menu
  • Logical grouping: Tools organized by function and workflow

Workflow Synergy:

  • Import → Clean → Union → Export: Complete pipeline for complex models
  • TopoCleaner → InternalUnion: Sequential cleaning for optimal results
  • SlicerExport integration: Seamless 3D printing workflow from cleaned geometry
  • Planar Cut + Random Selector: Advanced selection and cutting workflows

📖 Updated Documentation

New Documentation v1.6.1:

  • planarcut.md: Complete guide with Local View fixes and algorithm details
  • randomselector.md: Comprehensive dual-mode documentation with examples
  • Troubleshooting sections: Common issues and solutions for both tools
  • Workflow guides: Recommended usage patterns and integration tips

File Structure:

docs/
├── planarcut.md (Updated)
├── randomselector.md (Updated)  
├── EN/
│   ├── SlicerExport.md
│   ├── TopoCleaner.md
│   └── InternalUnion.md
└── ES/
    ├── SlicerExport.md
    ├── TopoCleaner.md
    └── InternalUnion.md

🚀 Future Possibilities

These new tools establish a foundation for: - Advanced selection modes: Additional object filtering and selection patterns - Enhanced cutting operations: Multi-plane cuts and advanced geometry operations - Workflow automation: Batch processing and scripting capabilities - Boolean operation expansion: More complex geometric operations