#Sheilds IPAS
9 messages in this thread
If anyone could help me out here I would appreciate it!
I recall seeing some images of an IPAS that produced energy shields similar to
those found in Star Trek. If any one has a lead as to what the IPAS is called
and/or who distributes it, it would be a great help.
Thanks in advance.
Zac (AZ-TECH)
Berkeley
-Zac Rymland (AZ-TECH)
The 3D Studio Special Effects (New Riders Publishing) book w/CD-ROM includes a
Shield_I.AXP that may well be what you're looking for.
SCL
Stephen;
You are a life saver, that is just what I was looking for, although I must
admit I got pretty good results with traditional techniques.
Anyway, thanks.
Zac (AZ-TECH)
Berkeley
-Zac Rymland (AZ-TECH)
Yeah, you may've seen the thread about how most IPAS effects CAN be done the
hard way. Looked to me like that one could be duplicated with animated maps,
but maybe it's easier. In my early days of 3DS, before I got into IPAS
collecting, I used 180 omni lites to make a series of glows. Took me all day to
set up the on and off KFs!
But glad I could be of assistance.
SCL
Stephen;
I know what you mean about doing things the hard way, and about collecting
IPAS routines. To many to even keep track of <G> _not complaining_. In this
case though it may be easier to do the energy shield the traditional way. The
IPAS seems to have a bug in how you control the point from which the effect
starts. As far as traditional techniques, an omni light located just above a
sphere where the effect should start from and a shiny material with 100%
falloff transparency on the sphere seems to do the trick pretty well. Then
just key in the ups and downs of the omni's intensity… There is always a
dozen way to skin a cat.
Very easy.
Zac (AZ-TECH)
Berkeley
-Zac Rymland (AZ-TECH)
Yes, that's about the same method I thought of as well. Didn't know about the
bug in Shields, tho. When I bought that book, I just copied *.?XP into my
Process path — Haven't ever actually used that one, so that's good to know.
Thanx for the tip!
SCL
Stephen;
Actually, as it turns out Shield_I.AXP does such a nice job at created _real_
looking energy shields that I figured out away around the bug. Once you get the
point of impact at a known location I link a dummy object to the sphere at that
point. Now I can rotate the sphere to my hearts content and still know where
the point of impact is. Just thought you'd be interested.
Zac (AZ-TECH)
Berkeley
-Zac Rymland (AZ-TECH)
Thanx! I'll file that away in my trove of work-around lore.
SCL
Hey Zac,
Call Jim Lammers at Trinity….He is distributing the plug-ins from
Sisyphus. I think one of their new particle system plug-ins will do what you
want. You can contact Jim @ 816.525.0103……Good luck…..<jir>