CompuServe Thread

#Time & Optics help

3 messages in this thread
#30155From: Bill ValaskiDec 20, 1992 9:55 PM
Hi folks, I need a little help trying to generate an effect using both the Time and Optics tools. I'm trying to create a "spinning logo" that spins about the center of the X axis of a group of cels I've captured in the Cel buffer. What I want to do is spin the cel and move it back along the Z axis so that it shrinks. Unfortunately, following the manual isn't helping me out much, I can't seem to get the spin motion along the X axis to work properly. I've captured a 50-frame range of the logo I'm using into the Cel Buffer with the Get option and Time settings. So far, I think that it is actually there (is there a way to view the contents of the cel buffer?). No, I go to Optics, make sure it's using Cels instead of frames, set to rotate the X axis by 180, then click the View button. I see the flic flicker through all 50 frames, but no rotation is occurring. Am I missing a step? Thanks for any assistance! Bill
#30166From: charles jamesonDec 21, 1992 8:58 AM
Bill, I assume you have Animator Pro – otherwise the CEL buffer only holds a single image. It sounds to me like you need to take this process by steps: learn how to spin a cel, learn how to move one in the z direction (or in your case you can also get the shrinking effect with the size option), then learn how you can use all (or spin and move) the optics options at once, and then how you can do it all with an animcel buffer instead of a single image cel. Which of these simpler tasks are you unable to do? (To answer your direct questions, to see the contents of an AnimCel, pick that option from the cel menu and follow the menus <grin>. As far a rotating a cel goes, work through the example on pg 3-21 in the tutorial book (the first example of optical movement). If you can do the example in Chapter 12, it includes an example of using the move option on the optics panel. In the tutorial manual, an using the Animcel feature is show starting at page 3-45 (check the index if you have different pagination). In OPTIC there is a set-up you have to do to get the effect you want: clear presets, select the object, and set the center of rotation. You may also find the present option "spin-small" to do exactly what you want without much effort. Regards, Chuck Jameson Silver Tongue Software (in case you need someone to do it for you)
#30236From: Bill ValaskiDec 22, 1992 6:28 AM
Charles, After reading your reply, and going back and doing a little more playing with the optics settings, I was able to get the effect that I wanted. Much thanks! Happy holidays! Bill