CompuServe Thread

#Vista Pro and 3DS

17 messages in this thread
#131213From: James SpierOct 25, 1994 2:11 PM
Any one know of a way to create a vue file from a camera that is linked to a dummy object? The camera moves that result from linking camera and dummy seem to be far superior than that of those created by assigning the camera and target each their own path. Any guidance in this area would be appreciated. ME
#131266From: Tim c BrananOct 25, 1994 8:29 PM
I have done a couple of large projects using this method (linking camera to dummy object), and it works pretty ok, except the camera rolls independently of the dummy box. Not a real problem until you want to adjust parts, or need exact positioning. The last one I did I attached a rotating compass to the dummy object so you would always know which direction you are flying, and it was dificult to keep the thing in place compared to the camera, and re-adjusting was a mess. I have been poring trough the keyscript manuals hoping to ease my burden for the next one I start next week, but I am a programming idiot, so It will take a while. My advice? Learn keyscript, or make sure your camera (and target) match the position of the dummy object it is linked to. It will take a little longer, but easier to adjust later. As far as VUE files, I have yet to do anything more than poke at them with a stick, so I can't offer anything there. If any one wishes to offer a better suggestion than mine please pass it along to me. I would love to hear it.
#131281From: ROBERT RITGEROct 25, 1994 9:22 PM
Tim: The camera roll has been a problem for me when I link a camera to a dummy. Anybody suggest ways to avoid this? Bob
#131406From: Tim c BrananOct 26, 1994 11:25 AM
I have been learning the keyscript hoping there is a solve for it in there, If I find something, I will pass it along. BTW, how did it go the other night? Did you survive the crash?
#131485From: ROBERT RITGEROct 26, 1994 5:43 PM
Tim: Reformatted the PAR drive and started the segments over. I can't explain what happened but I'll tell you that my tape backup unit is getting a work out. Thanks again for the quick phone call. Now for the bizarre luck of mine (remember I had 3 concurrent deadlines): Deadline #1: By some unbelievable luck a guy from one of our other offices was on his way to a conference (where animation #1 was going to be played) and detoured by chance to our main office on his way. So, this morning at 8:30 am, in the parking lot I was able to flip him the video tape and he toted it to the show in time. Deadline #2: Easy one, just a laptop multimedia presentation. I got it done during backup tapes and file transfers pertaining to my PAR debacle. Deadline #3: One of the principals in my firm was supposed to be on his way out of the country to a client meeting but it was cancelled yesterday afternoon. This meant that he would be able to attend yet another meeting (where video tape #2 was to be played) by virtue of still being around. He was able to leave this afternoon to this second meeting and could take the video tape with him. The project manager who had me crank this piece out had left yesterday for the meeting tonight. Besides, I didn't finish until a couple hours ago. Pretty confusing but let me say that I got real lucky today and I'm buying some Lotto tickets. I guess you'd have to say I survived the crash, now I get to catch some Z's. Thanks again, Bob
#131512From: Tim c BrananOct 26, 1994 8:44 PM
Kinda reminds me of teetering on a cliff. Yeesh. Glad it all worked out. Have a nice nap.
#131528From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Oct 26, 1994 10:17 PM
Congrat's Robert !
#131632From: ROBERT RITGEROct 27, 1994 11:30 AM
Jonas: /__________From your message___________\\ Congrat's Robert ! __________________________________________ got 'em! <G> Bob
#131622From: Accu-WeatherOct 27, 1994 11:15 AM
Never a dull moment…<g>
#131293From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Oct 25, 1994 10:32 PM
Hi Tim, << I have been poring trough the keyscript manuals hoping to ease my burden for the next one I start next week, but I am a programming idiot, so It will take a while. >> I agree that scripting will give you the ability to create your own custom camera controls. I'm glad that you're interested. If you check out my upload in the scripts section of the lib, I've tried to create a general purpose skeleton to build your own routines from. I hope that you like it. If you have any questions on it, please feel free to ask. I tried to take into account that individuals who read it for the first time, may have not programmed .. ever :-).. From this code, you should be able to make many different custom routines. jonas[adesk]
#131443From: James SpierOct 26, 1994 2:12 PM
Jonas >>I've tried to create a general purpose skeleton to build your own routines from.<< Thanks I'm still waiting to get my copy of the upgrade but it sounds like it will make vue creation easier, that is if I can figure it out. I am one of those who hve never programmed. ME PS my vendor is still faxing me 3DS literature with the spline modeler in it.
#131349From: Paul Sanford [LVL5]Oct 26, 1994 2:38 AM
>>except the camera rolls independently of the dummy box… I have been poring trough the keyscript manuals …<< Please keep me posted on any progress you make. The word on the forum a while ago was that scripting might be a way to work around the darned camera roll /dummy link problem. I will have very limited time to mess around with new R4 stuff for a while. Will let you know if I learn anything myself. Paul
#131444From: James SpierOct 26, 1994 2:12 PM
Thanks for the reply Tim. If I understand you correctly I think I have been doing just what you suggested ie. creating a second camera and duplicating the key positions of the one linked to the dummy and creating a vue file from it. >>make sure your camera (and target) match the position of the dummy object it is linked to.<< Is this the technique you were refering to? ME
#131453From: Tim c BrananOct 26, 1994 3:14 PM
Actually, I wasn't suggeting creating a second camer, just make sure your camera is always aligned with your dummy object (as far as angle and especially roll), or it can be very time consuming if you have to fix anything later, because then you have a camera that doesn't match the position of your linked object and you have to just start rotating it around until it look right. With a few keys, not a problem, but when you have 1000 frame segment to adjust, fixing the camera and keeping it smooth can sometimes be mutually exclusive.
#131313From: MARTIN G FOSTEROct 25, 1994 11:16 PM
Max, >> Any one know of a way to create a vue file from a camera that is linked to a dummy object? << I may be wrong (it happens quite a lot), but I believe you will receive absolute x,z,y co-ords for the camera source and target when you render a .vue file. Rather than x,z,y co-ords relative to the dummy position (offsets).
#131445From: James SpierOct 26, 1994 2:13 PM
Thanks Martin, from what I've gathered from the replies to this thread it sounds like you can indeed create a vue file from a camera that is linked to a dummy. It will sure make my life easier if I can. I will have to try it again tonight. ME
#131473From: MARTIN G FOSTEROct 26, 1994 4:34 PM
Max, >> you can indeed create a vue file from a camera that is linked to a dummy.<< I think you can – but I haven't tried it. Let us know, please.