Hi Guys!
I made a module in my free NAAP plugin, called Aligner, by which you can make creative, unique stuffs quickly, as seen in these pictures:
(I used 3DText plugin to make the text parts!)
(taken from Scriptless Park experience)
Below some basic instructions and limitations of the module.
You can download NAAP Plugin from here:
How to use the Aligner module?
This is the GUI of the aligner module:
-
On the top of the GUI, you can see the selected (base) model’s name, part count, script count, weld count and if it has Primary Part or not.
-
So, first of all, Select the base model that contains the parts or models that you want to align.
-
Base model’s orientation must be 0,0,0 (in most cases) - in any other way size and rotation info would be hard to interpret, this is why I decided to implement this limitation. The plugin will warn you if this check stops the code, so you can change it manually if needed.
-
Click on Align Linear - this may increase a bit the size of the longest side of the model and it will align child parts and child models of the base model along the longest size.
-
Child models must have Primary Part!
-
If done, you can change the size of the longest side (longer or shorter) then click on Resize
The size will be very close, but not exactly what you type! (e.g. if you type 20, result can be 19.98 or 20.01) - this is how model sizing/aligning works. -
Child parts/models will be aligned equally within the base model, half size gap will remain on both ends so you can easily snap base model clones in a row.
And now… the orbital alignment!
-
You can align parts/models even on an orbital way - just type the radius and click on Align Orbital button.
-
Warning! Before you do this step, make a copy of the model as orbital alignment can’t be reverted to linear without losing some settings, like orientation of the parts, etc.
-
You can rotate all parts/models within the base model by Rotate button, just type the degree of the step and click on the button (+ and - number is also fine).
-
You can change the axis of the alignment or the rotation - you will see the difference once you try it.
That is all, as I remember.
To put 3D text labels on an orbital path, you will need the 3D Text Plugin (link above).
As I experienced, you may need to write the text backward (plugin = nigulp), but you can use any free web service to make it for you.
I made a short YouTube tutorial about making a cogwheel / gear, just watch it to see the plugin (and me) in work 
As always, I ask you to share your thoughts with us, and consider supporting developing this plugin.
Ty!
Apafey