normal smooth method

On this page I'll try to explain how the method for the Normal smooth python script works.

Concept

The idea is to reposition verticles so your mesh ends up nice and smooth. Of course there is already a function in Blender that does it, but that doesn't take the actual "surface" of the mesh into account. So say you have a part of a perfect sphere selected, and you run the current internal function, it would flatten that selection, or even make it concave (hollow). That's what we don't want. In stead if you try to smooth a perfect sphere, it should not change anything. You can't get smoother than a sphere!

See below here... that's not nicely smoothed!

Smoothing the normal way

I'll explain the concept in 2D. Lets say we want to smooth the position of vertex A and it's connected to vertex B and C. Then we get the vertex normals for B and C. We then rotate those normal vectors 90 degrees towards A and make them half the length of the distance between that specific vert (B or C) and A. Once we have those, we find the points at the ends of those two vectors and place vert A at the midpoint between them.

But let me explain with a picture, which should help.

That's just the basics

Of course there is a lot more that you can do with a script. Like looking further along the surface and using more normals. Also in 3d at times you have quads and you need to figure out what you want to do with the vert at the far end of the quad. Having non manifold meshes can be tricky too.

At least I hope this explains the idea a bit, and as ideas go.... it's not too bad
Dolf