CompuServe Thread

#New Beginner

12 messages in this thread
#71172From: Ken JamesDec 13, 1993 11:33 AM
Ok this is a simple problem. I 'm a Autocad drafting Instructor just got 3ds2 and I am learning from the tut's… The first real problem that I can't seem to get past is this.. I have a obj. called ball now I want the ball to move from one pnt in space to a second point, (no problem here) but I then want it to wait X number of cells then move to a third pnt (problem) how do I get it to wait? I know the anwser has to be so simple but I'm lost. (so what else is new) 2nd problem maybe to advanced for me. I made a ball and I want to put the gif called amanda( a picture of a girl from auto-animator) on the ball.. I go to the material editor and use the gif all I get is part of the gif (just one big eye looks very funny) but not quite what I want. Anyway how do you scale a gif so it fits the object you want to wrap in on?… Anyway I sure can use so help… As far as get help from the local dealer thats out can't afford it . This is a public school I'm lucky enough to have the software.. Ken James BCTC East P.A.
#71188From: Ralph F. FrantzDec 13, 1993 1:32 PM
>> I then want it to wait X number of cells then move to a third pnt (problem) >> how do I get it to wait? Ken, In the Track Info screen copy the position key for that object from the frame that you want the object to stay still at, to the frame you want it to start moving from again. Then go into the Key Info and set the Continuity to 0 for both of those keys. (or set Bias to 0 at the first still key and 50 at the second still key) >> Anyway how do you scale a gif so it fits the object you want to wrap in on? 1. You can tile the gif. 2. You can create a new bigger gif with Amanda in the middle and use that map. 3. You can create a decal map material and apply using planar mapping coordinates. or you can get Release 3 with it's advancements in the ME allows you to place and scale the bitmap almost anywhere! -Ralph
#71189From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Dec 13, 1993 1:34 PM
Hi Ken, For release 2… The answer to your question… move from point a to point b…wait… move to point c.. is in the keyframer/trackinfo. Reread the reference manual section 8-16 to 8-25. When in the track info dialog box for the object that is moving, copy the position key dot for position "b" and place it at the hold-until-frame. You now should have an initial position key, a "b" position key, a "still-in-b's-position" position key, and a final "c" position key. If you notice that your object is not traveling in a linear path between your positions, read about tension,continuity and bias, pages 8-105 to 8-108. Jonas[adesk]
#71566From: Ken JamesDec 15, 1993 9:46 AM
Jonas thankx for the help. was having problems understanding the track info box I have reread the section and I can get it to work now.. I am using release 2 so I don't know if it is different in release three, but as a user is puting a path in it would be nice if you could see time index's on the path on screen and modify the path there. Just a thought. Thnks again for the help Ken James BCTC EAST PA
#71776From: John TissavaryDec 15, 1993 11:49 PM
That's not a bad wishlist suggestion. Wishlists for 3DS R4 should be submitted here on or around the April 1st deadline. John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
#71190From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Dec 13, 1993 1:38 PM
Hi Ken, I missed the second half of your question. When you apply the material of the female-face to the sphere using spherical projection mapping, (pg 7-131) you'll get what you want as long as you center the mapping icon to the sphere in 2 viewports. Jonas[adesk]
#71567From: Ken JamesDec 15, 1993 9:46 AM
Jonas, Thanks again for the reply I'm still working on it. But hey that what learning is all about. Ken James BCTC EAST PA
#71191From: Brian Rudolph [Adesk]Dec 13, 1993 1:42 PM
Ken, The easiest way to set your object so it wont move will be in the track info dialogue box. Highlight track info and select the object you want to keep still. Then copy the blip in the all tracks line from the position where it stopped to the frame where you want it to start moving again. Inbetween the two blips there will be no movement. (Actually, there might be little jiggles. If this happens then you also need to adjust the tension and continuity in the key info box for that key point. As for only seeing the eye of your map while you are in the materials editor, that is normal. In the materials editor, just make sure that the map exists. When you are in the 3D editor, and you assign the material you created to an object, you will also assign mapping coordinates as well. It is the mapping coordinates that tell how the picture is applied to and wraped around the object. -Brian
#71568From: Ken JamesDec 15, 1993 9:46 AM
Thanks for the help Brian, I'm still working on it can't seem to get it right, but I guess that is the learing curve. Ken James BCTC EAST PA
#71194From: James TichenorDec 13, 1993 1:46 PM
Hey Ken, Welcome to the land of 3DS! I've often thought of getting my old high school involved with 3DS. I'd _love_ to see what the kids would come up with – probably blow me out of the water! 1st prob: In the KEYFRAMER, click on TRACK INFO and then click on the ball. You then get a grid which describes each keyframe for the ball, where the sets of dots represent the individual keys. Click on the COPY button at the bottom of the dialogue box and then click on the top dot in the second set (corresponding to the second position). Move the resulting copy whatever length of time you want the ball to "wait". Bingo! 2nd prob: The best thing to do would be to TILE the material – you'll get multiple copies of the image on the ball, but the problem is that, with a ball, you'll only ever see at best half of the .gif at any one time. The other option is to spin the ball in the scene to a better view, rather than one big eye.. Good luck. James
#71569From: Ken JamesDec 15, 1993 9:46 AM
James, thanks for the reply. I had read about the track info box and played around with it but with no result. Now I see how it works! thanks. Some time you can't see the tree for through the forest. Tlk2ul8r KEN JAMES BCTC EAST PA
#71640From: James TichenorDec 15, 1993 1:00 PM
No problem, Ken. Anytime… James