CompuServe Thread

#Morphing Along a Path

19 messages in this thread
#164465From: Steve BurkeApr 12, 1995 10:41 PM
Does anyone know of a way to effectively morph a mesh along a path, without buying the bones plug-in. I just don't have the cash for that at the moment. I want to make a millipede crawl along a given path.
#164551From: Jim [PolyGone Cafe]Apr 13, 1995 9:23 AM
Isn't there an IPAS called Python made just for that ??? If you don't want to buy the IPAS it look like a long tedious manual job. We tried a similar process with a roll of 35mm movie film moving and bending along a path. Its ashame in a way. I also work with Softimage occasionally and doing something like what your talking about is 3 mouseclicks away. I think its even in the tutorial. 1)You create a spline ( or path ) 2) deform the object on the path say at the beginning and then 3) transform the object along the path at a given keyframe. Its wonderful!
#164624From: Steve BurkeApr 13, 1995 4:08 PM
Thanks for the reply. I actually have never use Python, perhaps that is not as expensive as bones. It is not that I don't think Bones is really great, it is just that there are about twenty Plug-ins I would love to have, so if I can find a free way to do something I gotta try It. Thanks.
#164765From: Mike White SunDog Pro.Apr 14, 1995 1:38 PM
You might want to try luge.axp it like python but its an axp. Schreiber is selling it for 300.00 with six other routines. Also another thing to mention is our routines are selling for 200.00 for 14 routines. Give Schreiber a call and check out the newest deals. Mike White [SDP]
#164780From: MARTIN G FOSTERApr 14, 1995 3:25 PM
Mike, >> Also another thing to mention is our routines are selling for 200.00 for 14 routines. << do you have a cloud generator or one in the works. Something like Kai's Bryce but for 3d Studio would be cool.
#164814From: Mike White SunDog Pro.Apr 14, 1995 6:35 PM
Hi Martin We have a routine tmaker.sxp which can create the effect of a real cloud texture. It will not cause the effect much feared by most user of SXP's. That unwanted moving pixel. You can contact me for more info if you like. If you remember my animation at the 3D Art Fourm. The clouds were created with this routine. With HSC's IPAS its a great match. Mike
#164851From: Tim c BrananApr 14, 1995 11:20 PM
Are your routines sold by schrieber, or are you doing this one on your own?
#164900From: Mike White SunDog Pro.Apr 15, 1995 11:50 AM
This one on our own for right now. It allows the user to in put their own fractal cords.. for user defined sxp's Mike
#164963From: Tim c BrananApr 15, 1995 7:13 PM
Can you send me some info on your new stuff?
#164994From: Mike White SunDog Pro.Apr 15, 1995 10:53 PM
No problem. Mike
#165000From: Tim c BrananApr 15, 1995 11:17 PM
I don't suppose you have any granite or marble sxp's? I saw some demos around, I figured they were yours, but I am not certain. I started a project that requires a *lot* of marble and granite and SXPs would be ideal for the job.
#164790From: Steve BurkeApr 14, 1995 4:13 PM
I will call to see what you have available. Appreciate the info. 🙂
#164820From: Mike White SunDog Pro.Apr 14, 1995 7:10 PM
Your welcome. Mike
#164604From: Mark YankeeApr 13, 1995 2:43 PM
Steve, << Does anyone know of a way to effectively morph a mesh along a path, without buying the bones plug-in. >> There is a shareware bones ipas somewhere in the libs, but it only creates morph targets and doesn't create the deformed geometry during rendering. So the Bones Pro ipas that you can buy is much better. Mark
#164625From: Steve BurkeApr 13, 1995 4:09 PM
Thanks I'll look that up.
#164664From: Mike KelleyApr 13, 1995 8:30 PM
Actually, I think you could do this by "simply" making a lofted object the size and shape of your creature, and then having an animated opacity AND texture map. You loft with mapping coordinates, and then your animated texture map becomes the creature skin, moving along in place with the opacity map (similar to the spool.zip example I posted here). I think it would work for the creature you have in mind because the shape is the same at all stages of the path — it wouldn't work for a creature with a thorax, for example. But you ought to be able to have bump mapping, etc. as long as it's animated in the same way. Just a thought (for me, I'd use Bones Pro — one of the most useful IPAS I own).
#164678From: Steve BurkeApr 13, 1995 10:13 PM
That sounds like a pretty cool condept I will lokk up the example you posted. Gues I'll have to get BonesPro. Ther are worse fates in life 🙂 Thanks
#164786From: david W. mennenohApr 14, 1995 4:05 PM
Steve, You could try making your millipede into many small round sphere like objects, butted end to end and then linked in the KF. You could then use inherit links to curve the body as needed. I think you could get very nice motion like this, with no need for BP. It's worth a try. DM
#165420From: Steve BurkeApr 18, 1995 1:34 PM
I've thought about something of the sort but i would like to do similar things with a worm that would not lend itself so well to such a technique. But maybe I'll give that route a try. Thanks for caring. 🙂