jpappas

Hi, Under the main Options menu, then the Global tab, make sure Show Advanced Properties is checked and they should show up in the Workspace giving you an easier way to get to them. -Jim

Hope no one minds another example! After reading these threads I had to give it a try myself. In this example I have one patch on the ground with the displacement map. I didn't notice any major increase in render time at all - zipped right along! test.mov

Korken, I also tried my hand at making the chain and noticed it was a bit unclear in the original example as to how the bone went completely around -- but I think the trick is that path is actually wrapped around the shape of the path twice, so the part of the path that goes the second time around is laid at the same spot as the first part. This makes it appear as one path but gives you the extra 50% you need to move the bone back to the start position. This isn't easy to describe and a bit tricky to do but if you need more help I have some notes on it, or perhaps someone with more know-how might step in and describe it some more. On the other hand, I also noticed another thread here in the forum recently talking about pulleys/chains, etc., that simply took a circlular model and used a distortion modifier in an Action to make it into the shape of an ellipse to make it look like a chain. Rotating the original bone worked fine on the new shape. It seemed a heck of alot easier to implement. -Jim

Shaun, I've watched the clip three times now and it's so well done it actually looks like a rendered sphere composited over real footage of ocean water, and I couldn't express any better compliment about how good it looks than that! Very nice job on the bright sunlight dancing on the water, it really helps make it realistic. If you planned on sharing a tutorial (hint, hint) I'm sure it would become the go-to AM water tutorial for a long time to come. -Jim