fae_alba

Right, so something aint right. With a new model, I added to on/off poses, one for a dynamic pose, the second with the target null. My thought was that I could turn off the null pose and get the nice dynamic swing action, then if I wanted the beard to do something else (like hang it over the shoulder) turn the dynamic pose off and the target null on. To test I created a chor, dragged the beard into it, turned off the null pose, the other on. Moved the beard around over time, then simulated sprind systems. While the simulation was running the beard danced a merry jig, but when I scrub the chor, no swing or sway happens. Then, if I switch the poses, and try using the null target, nothing happens either, sort of like the end beard bone wasn't targeted to the null. It would seem that these two methods of dynamic poses are mutually exclusive, and to get the best of both worlds I would need to set up two separate beards/models to get the desired effects. Any thoughts?

So that begs the question: is it possible to turn the control null constraint on and off with a pose so that a model can enjoy the best of both worlds? Sounds like an experiment is in order.

So I've rigged poor Thom up with a beard mock up, added dynamics so i get a nice lazy sway side to side. But when Thom gets excited and jumps up and down, the beard stays still. So I'm wondering, does this kind of action require the null as well as the dynamics?

Trust me, I've already studied your tutorial on dynamic constraints (thanks a lot for doing it!) and it was based on the knowledge culled from your tut that put the geometry idea in my tired old brain pan as viable in the first place...so perhaps tonight I rig it up and give it a try...

You know I've had that thought..It might just be worth playing with for a few days.

So I've been working on the main character for my first short, an old man with a long beard. I've been avidly following the recent threads on hair, and have wanted to use hair for this guys beard and mustache. I really wanted the hair quality, but the overhead of experimenting with the hair emitter, and rendering has me questioning if I should use hair or geometry to create the beard. So if using geometry how would I go about creating a beard that at least looks close? Below is a sketch of the target "look" and the current model with a geometry mock-up for the beard. The biggest issue is the ability to work the beard in such poses as in the sketch, as well as being able to animate it.

Oh the possibilities! I can remember trying to model a character wearing a kilt some 4-5 years ago, and giving up since the folds and creases simply wouldn't work and animating it would have been near impossible. Now, I'm wondering if sim cloth will support such an endeavor. Great job, man, my punch hat is off to ya!

the tricky part is the transition from regular mesh to cloth. At some point on the arm, behind the wrist I guess, the cloth would start and you'd have an obvious point where a rigid set of CPs is next to some freely moving ones. Why not two models? One with sim cloth for a long shot to show the flowing sock, and a second modeled with a "normal" manner for close ups for the mouth movements?

Weeeellll, I figured that. But the only action there is the one I created to test my cp assignments. No Install action.

So I am trying my hand with using the LiteRig. Go as far as Installing the controls step. The instructions say "open the action", but I must be missing something as I don't see an Install action. Any ideas in what I'm missing?

Holy Moly! And I just spent last night and modeling a wool vest, buttons, pockets..did you simply apply a decal to do this??

So, I'm jumping in and starting modeling on a short for submission in a film festival Film Festival Topic Discussion. The movie will be a Christmas Story of sorts. The main character is Old Man Willies. I started on his head..made one goof after another, then decided to use Sire Nigel as a starting point. After beheading Nigel, I then started to push and pull control points to get the look I was looking for. Here he is: crits please.

So I had this model hanging around that I had created a good 4 years ago. He got wind of this project and begged to be a part of it. I mean the little bugger just wouldn't leave me alone until I gave in. So here he is... chatter.mov

John, I just wanted to verify that you received my email with my pinBall movie. I didn't receive a confirmation and sense my email has been a bit wonky of late I want to make sure you did receive it.

Ok boys and girls...here is a final render. I tweeked the camera movement just a wee bit. pinball.mov

No physics..I didn't have the time to learn a new trick (this was done in basically 1 hr incriments between software "builds" for my job). The ball is simply constrained to a path, the camera is keyframed all the way. It wasnot my first choice, but I had to get this done. I at first wanted the camera to follow the ball along the chute to give a roller coaster feel, but it became problematic, again because of time. As for lights, my initial plan was to have all kinds of lights, in the chute, along the sides etc. I even had a trap set on the board where the ball would settle in it, then a series of lights would flash along the side. But alas...time is of the essence.

Here's my submission...I'm not entirely happy with it, but I had to simplyfy things as camera movement and such was starting to get out of hand. I still need to do a final render and perhaps some tweeking of the camera and timing, so if any of you have suggestions let me have 'em.

I've started on one (I'm coming in a bit late..but I plan on playing hooky on my second job to get it finished) and have a couple of ideas for a few more, though I'm not guarenteeing they will get done.

Well, I've been wanting an excuse to dust off my copy of A:M...might as will be for a ball. Count Me In!

Cute project - but I am curious: What was the assignment ? and What grade did you get ? Not my assignment...my daughters. Although as anybody with kids will attest to..that invariably makes it mine. The assignment was simply create a five minute movie. No direction on type, style or story. That was left up to the students (high school seniors). Don't know the "grade" i got yet...I'm hoping for an A

Yeah I know, but this was one of those projects that just had to get done, and get done now. I could have added some roughness to the snowman, could have put a hat on his head to hide the imperfections...could have put a yellow blotch in the snow where the dog got him, but who has the time? I mean really.

Ok folks. Here is my kids final project (hope I get an "A"!). The animated bit with the vortex sprites is tucked into the middle of it. It was a quick one-off totaling a whopping 4 seconds. For all that it took over 12 hours to render out on my poor 'ol laptop. The model is not perfect, the timing and camera work is not spot on as I would have hoped, but it got the job done. Its on YouTube, the link is below. If the link doesn't work, then search for the title Once Upon A Snowman. enjoy.

Thanks much guys, I'l have a go at it tonight. I'll start with sprites since I already have an emitter set up. I'll post results soon

I'm looking to create an effect with sprites (sparks) that will swirl around an object in a vortex like shape. The effect I have in mind is along the lines of when the Beast turns back to a man in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast". Anyone have some ideas on I can do this??

But... James you are in... and Mr. 'Fae Alba' too. The next raffle (whenever it happens to be raffled) will include 'old users' too. So... anyone can win the last prize. Rodney, "Mr." Fae Alba? Please...don't make me feel any older than I already am!