What is the best way to rotate a mesh group around the axis of a randomly selected 3D element within the Three.js environment?

Question

What is the best way to rotate a mesh group around the axis of a randomly selected 3D element within the Three.js environment?

I'm currently delving into the intricacies of three.js in order to experiment with a basic mechanism. My end goal is to visualize board tilt (front view) in relation to axle orientation (plan view) for different designs on an XY plot, although that's more like step five or six in my process. Right now, I'm grappling with step one, trying to grasp the concept of obtaining an axis of rotation, symbolized by a small diameter cylinder.

This image clearly illustrates a setback. https://i.sstatic.net/akqtW.png

I aim to use the matrix functions already available in Three.js for data visualization and system analysis.
The purpose of the worldMatrix object within a mesh object is not entirely clear. I presume it contains information about location, orientation, and scaling, but I'm unsure how to extract this data for translating or rotating other components in the 3D space.
Perhaps it would be better to create duplicates of original component locations and matrix values, and then work from those copies. Reaching the same point after tilting left and right seems to pose a challenge when working directly with the original.

The model features a simple skateboard. My objective is to rotate the front truck hanger (housing an axle and two wheels) along a tilted axis based on user input from a slider element.

Check out the sandbox here...

 var euler;
 const rotateMeshGroup =( meshGroup, rotationAxis, angleOfRotation) =>{
     euler = new THREE.Euler().setFromRotationMatrix(rotationAxis.matrixWorld);
     meshGroup.children.forEach(item => {
         item.rotateOnAxis(euler, THREE.MathUtils.degToRad(angleOfRotation));
     }) 
 }

I'm struggling with creating an axis of rotation. While I grasp the concept of a 3D angle, I'm unsure about determining the distance from the axis. Is it calculated using a matrix cross product (shortest distance to a 3D axis with perpendicular distance)?

edit: I'm still grappling with this issue. After sifting through numerous console.logs, I haven't found any information in the predefined matrices that could help me. I've converted the pivot axis from a small diameter cylinder mesh object into a line defined by two vector endpoints. Currently, I'm contemplating delta-x, delta-y, delta-z calculations (translate, rotate, translate back) within the RotateMeshGroup function.

Any pointers or suggestions?

javascript math three.js

Answer 1

Answer №1

Indeed, this project started as a mere work in progress but has now evolved significantly. My goal with this endeavor was to delve into the realm of using Three.js for engineering analysis purposes. Along the way, I've picked up several valuable insights that I'd like to share.

A pivotal resource I stumbled upon was a post by "Stranger in the Q". The provided code showcased a rotating Solar System simulation complete with the Sun, Earth (accompanied by a revolving moon and rocks), and Mars (flanked by two additional planets). Studying this example meticulously shed light on the intricacies of rotation dynamics within a 3D scene hierarchy. One key takeaway was the importance of accurately naming objects to streamline the understanding of their relationships. This example proved instrumental in demystifying various concepts for me.
Another invaluable discovery was a response from BadAskTechie outlining a simple yet effective technique for rotating a mesh's geometry around a specified axis and pivot point. The concise code snippet provided a clear solution to a common challenge.
```
// Function to rotate a mesh's geometry about a specific axis and pivot
const rotateAbout = (mesh, axis, axisPosition, angle) => {
    // Implementation details omitted for brevity
}
```
One practical tip for handling complex nested 3D meshes is to perform all geometry manipulation, including orientation adjustments, at the object's geometry creation stage rather than trying to modify the meshes directly in the scene space. By following this approach, alignment issues can be minimized, resulting in smoother animations and interactions.
A particularly useful technique I adopted involved tracking the spatial positions of elements during rotations and animations. Instead of relying solely on the mesh's vertices, which could be overwhelming in complex models, I created a simple line object to serve as a reference point. Moving this line along with the assembly allowed me to determine positional changes more effectively and enhance future calculations.
The initial question raised earlier has been overshadowed by significant progress made in addressing challenges related to skateboard truck modeling. While some aspects of the provided sandbox code may not be optimal, I intend to share the finalized project as open source, complete with a link to the Github repository and demo. This way, others can witness the evolution of my work and potentially benefit from the shared insights.

I believe these experiences and revelations could prove beneficial to individuals embarking on their journey with Three.js.

Answer 2

Indeed, this project started as a mere work in progress but has now evolved significantly. My goal with this endeavor was to delve into the realm of using Three.js for engineering analysis purposes. Along the way, I've picked up several valuable insights that I'd like to share.

A pivotal resource I stumbled upon was a post by "Stranger in the Q". The provided code showcased a rotating Solar System simulation complete with the Sun, Earth (accompanied by a revolving moon and rocks), and Mars (flanked by two additional planets). Studying this example meticulously shed light on the intricacies of rotation dynamics within a 3D scene hierarchy. One key takeaway was the importance of accurately naming objects to streamline the understanding of their relationships. This example proved instrumental in demystifying various concepts for me.
Another invaluable discovery was a response from BadAskTechie outlining a simple yet effective technique for rotating a mesh's geometry around a specified axis and pivot point. The concise code snippet provided a clear solution to a common challenge.
```
// Function to rotate a mesh's geometry about a specific axis and pivot
const rotateAbout = (mesh, axis, axisPosition, angle) => {
    // Implementation details omitted for brevity
}
```
One practical tip for handling complex nested 3D meshes is to perform all geometry manipulation, including orientation adjustments, at the object's geometry creation stage rather than trying to modify the meshes directly in the scene space. By following this approach, alignment issues can be minimized, resulting in smoother animations and interactions.
A particularly useful technique I adopted involved tracking the spatial positions of elements during rotations and animations. Instead of relying solely on the mesh's vertices, which could be overwhelming in complex models, I created a simple line object to serve as a reference point. Moving this line along with the assembly allowed me to determine positional changes more effectively and enhance future calculations.
The initial question raised earlier has been overshadowed by significant progress made in addressing challenges related to skateboard truck modeling. While some aspects of the provided sandbox code may not be optimal, I intend to share the finalized project as open source, complete with a link to the Github repository and demo. This way, others can witness the evolution of my work and potentially benefit from the shared insights.

I believe these experiences and revelations could prove beneficial to individuals embarking on their journey with Three.js.

What is the best way to rotate a mesh group around the axis of a randomly selected 3D element within the Three.js environment?

Answer №1

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