Can't have a moving multi-bone boolean???

[svetlik]

Have had animated booleans work but only with one bone in the cutter. Can't seem to get this one to work, am trying to get this "reveal" effect of these cords (threads) as though they're coming off of a spool.

Anyone know if this is even possible or have any workarounds?

Ribbon.prj Ribbon1.act Ribbon1.mdl

[robcat2075]

Hmmm... I notice it works in an orthogonal view, but no other.

 

Possible work-arounds...

• Use muscle mode to animate the Boolean Cutter. I did that to reveal an S shape at Live Answer Time June 20 2020
  https://forums.hash.com/topic/48801-live-answer-time-less-live-archived-versions/
   
• Model the threads straight. Use a pose slider to adjust a Gradient transparency to reveal them over time. Bend the threads in the chor.
  Thread Reveal003.prj

Notice the shadow is whacky with z-buffered lights...

 

Ray-traced light fixes that...

[robcat2075]

If I had to do the sort of scene you are planning I would do the moving transparency gradient ploy. I think that gets the smoothest motion and is easiest to modify.

[robcat2075]

Here is a version of your PRJ that works when the mesh for each box bone is a separate enclosed box.

Ribbon_SeparateBoxes.prj

[svetlik]

Thanks for the responses. Haven't yet used the gradient material - this looks perfect I'll give it a shot.

[svetlik]

robcat how do you determine the numbers to setup the Pose? i see the 1st attribute is not set and the 2nd to 100% transparency but how do you make such a sharp line between 0 and 100% transparency in the Pose?

[robcat2075]

Hi Edward, try this...
 

 

[svetlik]

Thanks again robcat that explains it all.