Selecting all horizonal edges

[reading-card]

Is there a way to select all vertical or horizontal edges of a mesh automatically? Similar to this plugin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnlXdttN8sE to to which newer C4D version are not compatible anymore.

Here is an example scene which is using ring/loop selection tools on a low poly mesh. But for higher resolution meshes, those tools seems insufficient, unless I missed a feature: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/m8dcl0a7wy10t54urc15g/ring-loop-selections.c4d?rlkey=5gpk4puim2o7rbnp7f1ouy254&dl=0

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi reading-card,

Thank you very much for your file. Yes, I understand that these are examples, not the only target.

I found it from time to time successful, to contact plug-in developers and ask for a newer version. Sometimes, the code needs only a fresh compilation.

.
The two ideas that come to mind,

I would try to get the shape into a better mesh flow than the tools have produced. With a few iterations, the Remesher is often a great way to get cleaner results, which helps with UV and selections and perhaps animations of all kinds.
Remeshed result of your model
CV4_2024_drs_24_MOrm_01.c4d

Besides the standard selections, have you checked out the Pattern Selection?

https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/?_gl=11svptu6_gcl_au*Njc0MjczNTMyLjE3MDQzMTAxMTg.#html/TOOLPATTERNSELECTION.html?Highlight=selection%20pattern

Going by the organic shape, I exclude the Symmetry option here.

Here is an option, not a plug-in, but a Python Tag-based solution. (It is from a few years ago, but my quick test showed no flaws. Perhaps I miss something, so please test this carefully
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaylist/cv-parametric_selection_tag/cv-parametric_selection_tag_tour_and_reference
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaylist/cv-parametric_selection_tag/cv-parametric_selection_tag_download_and_install

All the best

[Dr. Sassi]

P.S.: there is one limitation with the newer Symmetry tool, as the stored selection is always limited to the manually created ones, not the "reflections" of it. One can overwrite or create multiple entries for a single polygon, hence the limitation.
Here is my workaround and guidance to get it done anyway. (20sec, silent capture)

https://stcineversityprod02.blob.core.windows.net/$web/Cineversity_Forum_Support/2024_Clips_DRS/20240223_Store_Selection_Symmetry_drs.mp4

[reading-card]

Thank you for your prompt reply!
The pattern selection tool as well as the cv parametric selection tag would be extremely useful but they are restricted to polygon selections. I am aiming for edge selections, similar to a wireframe that only shows the horizontal rows of a cylindrical mesh. The mesh itself has to stay parametrically as it will deform/alter in several ways but keeps it's topology. Enhances scene example: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/m8dcl0a7wy10t54urc15g/ring-loop-selections.c4d?rlkey=5gpk4puim2o7rbnp7f1ouy254&dl=0
Thinking of creating a straight cylinder with the same poly count as the loft nurbs. Then create a cloner with spline circles one for each polygon row. Make it edible and glue it to the cylinder with the surface modifier and attach the cylinder on the loft nurbs with a morph tag. A huge workaround and probably one part might not work or something has to become edible and the procedural creation workflow got lost...

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi reading-card,

Let me add one suggestion; perhaps it will lead to some ideas on your side.

Here, I first create a Loft with some splines. The Edge Tag is already set up with the Splines that shape it.
Those Spline will work as Fields for the one extra step.
Object Manager> Object> Current State To Object
This automatically gets the specific Edge Tag with the Splines, and a double click on the tag will select the edges close to it.

Here is a screen capture, 20 seconds.
https://stcineversityprod02.blob.core.windows.net/$web/Cineversity_Forum_Support/2024_Clips_DRS/20240223_Store_Selection_Symmetry_drs.mp4
The file
CV4_2024_drs_24_MOsp_21.c4d
The Subdivision might be better done during render time.

So, why not use the Splines from the Loft in the first place? Perhaps it is easier to get a single object instead of all splines used in the Loft, and it is easier to switch them on or off in the Field of the Edge Tag.

More as a brainstorming contribution:

CV4_2024_drs_24_MOsp_11.c4d

Cheers