Pause Along Path

[BlueRender]

Wow. I am amazed at how many resources are available for this program. I am ashamed that I am posting because I am sure the answers are right in front of me. However, I have taken time to work through the online video tutorials, I have dipped into the manual, and have searched the help menu and this forum, and can't turn up what I am looking for. Perhaps I am searching with the wrong terms. At any rate, here is what I am trying to accomplish.

 

I need to animate a model to walk along a mountain ridge. I have been able to create a path and have the model follow that path pretty well. However during the models "trek" I need it to stop for a short time to look as though it is lighting a torch. After the brief stop I need the model to continue down the path until it encounters the next torch. In the end I need the model to stop at the edge of the cliff, set down the torch and spring off the cliff and dive into the water below. I just can't seem to figure out how to pause at different points along the path.

 

I also am trying to figure out how to place a "torch looking" device in tarzan's hand that moves believably as he walks.

 

This program rocks. I have had it for a while now, but have not been able to commit the time to getting to know it. I constantly come across projects where using this tool is the most obvious, but because I don't know how to use it I always use a different tool. This project I am doing is one that actually cannot be done easily with any of the tools I know, so I am forcing myself to get to know it.

 

Any advice and suggestions on how to do the above, or on best practices to get to know the program better would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[jpappas]

Hi,

 

Check out the Path Ease (walk then wave) video tutorial here, I think it's what you're looking for:

 

http://www.hash.com/VM/

 

-Jim

[Kelley]

Any advice and suggestions on how to do the above, or on best practices to get to know the program better would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks for your question on walk/wave. I was struggling with how to ease in/ease out. Now I know.

 

Your problems with A:M are not unique to you. I've been doing 3D modeling for about ten years, and while modeling in A:M is no problem [and I love the decaling/texturing functions] the real meat of the program, the animation, is by no means intuitive.

 

A:M is, as you say, a dynamite program. What other app. has you saving actions, and lip-syncing sound in the earliest tutorials? But while I've bought every book that I can lay my hands on, I find that most of my questions go unanswered...until I post a query here on the Forum. Without a doubt, THIS is the best place to learn A:M.

[KenH]

After 10 years of using other 3D apps, I'm not surprised that you find AM very different. I personally find it easier but I started with AM.