CompuServe Thread

#Follow Path w dif. objec

5 messages in this thread
#53170From: Marc-Philip SteppatAug 12, 1993 4:13 AM
Hello there, I have a problem with 3D-Studio. I would like to animate the word "edit" along a curved path whereby each character is a single object. Now, my problem is, that each character should follow the heading of this path and still be lined up. When I link all characters to the "t", which will have the path and follow path assigned to it, they will do exactly the same as the "t" at the same time. But I want them to follow the path like the "t" does (with a time offset), but because they are linked to the "t", they start to follow the curve of the path when the "t" does. So they follow the curve when they haven't reached it (you have to think of it like a roller coaster ride, where the cars (my charcaters would be the cars) follow the track. I tried to assign the same path to each single character, but what happens is that I get a path offset (it orientates itself at the charakter assigned to) and so the path of the letter "t" won't match with the letter "i" and so on. Can you help me, I'm very eager to find a solution. Do I have to solve the problems with pivot points? If you know the "Sony" animation of the 3D-Studio vhs-demo-tape release 2, you see the Sony-logo animated the way I would like to animate my word "edit". Thanks for any suggestion. Philip
#53191From: David TaffetAug 12, 1993 10:50 AM
I'd set up dummy objects to follow the path, link your letters each to a different dummy and start the dummies moving along the very same path when you want to. If one dummy would do, use one. You can position the letters wherever you want in relation to the dummy(ies). David Taffet
#53192From: Yost GroupAug 12, 1993 10:50 AM
Set all your letters on the same path, and then slide their key dots in the Track Info dialog box to offset their movements in time. – Jack
#53284From: John TissavaryAug 12, 1993 11:24 PM
That is the simplest, coolest answer to an animation problem I've heard in a while. Hats off, Jack.
#53204From: Michele BousquetAug 12, 1993 11:43 AM
Regarding your question on making the letters follow a path: try rendering one letter at a time, then composite the animation in Video Post, offsetting the composite by a few frames for each letter. This will be easy if you don't have anything too complex going on in the background or foreground. Michele