#Help with Explode.AXP
19 messages in this thread
I just bought Explode yesterday and thought that it was pretty
straight-forward. But when I tried to use it to blow up a football helmet it
would only explode into single faces no matter what setting I give Fragment
Faces. The object is from Viewpoint with modifications, could this be part of
the problem?
Any ideas? I need to finish this project ASAP!
Thanks!
Scott Roberts
If the faces of the object aren't contiguous topologically, you'd see the
problem you're having. What do you see when you go into box mode? Lots of
little boxes around the individual faces?
– G
No, I get the normal boxes for objects. The helmet doesn't seem any different
than any other object when I use it for texture mapping or any normal
operation. I got a message from someone who has had the same problem whenever
he tries to use Explode also.
THANKS for your quick reply. Any other ideas?
I've never heard of anyone having the problem before. If you want to zip up
the .3ds file and send it over to me, I'll take a look at it for you. (send it
via binary email)
– G
I'm kinda new at this whole email thing, so it may take me awhile to figure out
how to do that. I tried the spaceship project example and that worked as
expected. I then merged the helmet and attached it to the box of the ship but
still got the same result. This leads me to think that it is in the way that
Viewpoint translates the model (just a wild guess).
Thanks again, hopefully you'll be receiving that file.
You're right that it's probably due to the mesh itself. I noticed the file in
my inbox this morning, and I'll take a look at it the first chance I get.
– G
Scott, I have explode also, but I must, limited experience. All the times I've
used it I have the same result. I was expecting small polygonal shapes, similar
to the effect in "Seed of Life" clip on "Beyond the Mind's Eye" video (if
you've seen it, assume you have). I wouldn't think the mesh should matter,
especially if it's from Viewpoint, since their geometry comes with 3DS3. Maybe
we're both using it incorrectly, hopefully someone with more exp. can
straighten us out. Kevin
Note that Viewpoint geometry doesn't come from 3DS. They primarily use the
Symbolics S-Geometry system to create their models.
– G
What is the Symbolics S-Geometry system? What software product is it?
It's a modeler that used to run on Symbolics hardware only
(Lisp-based) but has been ported over to the SGI. Any SGI dealer
ought to be able to give you more info. (It's a _great_ modeler.)
I think Symbolics is handled by a company called "Triple I" or "III". They're
still around, and I'm working on adding Symbolics file format to InterChange.
<< Symbolics…(It's a _great_ modeler.) >>
Yes, that entire system was pretty great when I last used it around the late
80's I guess. Very advanced features in animation for the time as well. I
really did like that modeler though. I didn't know it had been ported or that
they were even still in business…I never hear of them anymore. Are they still
based in the USA ?
BILL
Yup. I think TripleI is up in Culver City, CA. The modeler runs WAY better on
the SGI than it ever did on those old Lisp machines.
– G
I imagine it does. I believe they were based out of the New England area when I
last used the s/w. Thanks for the info..
BILL
Bill,
PMJI..The current Symbolics system has been re-named DelRay, and is
currently running on SGI's as a beta demo version all over Hollywood. I hav
seen it, and the interface is all new. It is getting good reviews and there is
a good possibility it will be used on Godzilla, along with Alias 6 and
Wavefront.
Sanford
DelRay huh ? Thanks for the info. Even if it was basically the same s/w as
years ago, I'm sure it would still be nice & current today.
BILL
Bill,
It seems to be much the same, and I have a suspicion that because the
town next to Culver City where Triple-I has their offices is called Marina
DelRay, they didn 't do too much creative work on the name.
Sanford
Sanford,
<< ….Marina DelRay, they didn 't do too much creative work on the name. >>
<G>…he**, if the s/w is as good today as it was half-a-dozen years ago or so,
they've used up all their creativity in the application. I assume the s/w was
acquired from the original developer. Back in the mid-late 80's they had great
modeling as Gary said, & a super animation package. First app. I can remember
which had a flocking dynamics routine (used in Stanley & Stella). Great looking
renderers, too. The h/w & s/w package cost a fortune back then, though.
BILL
Bill,
I ramember Stanley hitting the ice. It had real personality, which is
lacking in much of the fore recent animation.
Sanford