Maya 2012, Motion paths and Animated Snapshots

timberwo7ves · 30-07-2011, 03:18 PM

Trying to model a bike chain with motion paths and animated snapshots.

I've set the motion path to use the time slider (50 frames) but it seems very dense at the start and end portion of the motion path, as shown in f.01, and I've shown the control verts for the path in f.02.

Settings for the attach to motion path (f.03) and create animated snapshot (f.04) are also shown.

Only used this method once before a long time ago (and I wasn't very good then either

) But I wanted to avoid creating a rigged chain/manually duplicating the links, nor did I want to use a plugin/script.

Is there something ridiculous I'm doing? I've deleted history (not delete all, just regular) and frozen the transforms on both the link section and the path, though I'm not sure if that would help/hinder the process.

-edit
If I check the parametric length box, it goes really nicely around the parabolas of the curve but still not evenly dispersed around the entire length of the curve.
--
On another note, what's the difference between animation snapshot and an animation sweep (haven't used the latter)?

Thanks

timberwo7ves · 30-07-2011, 05:39 PM

I put this in the wrong forum

If a mod sees, could you move to modelling help please?

MrHarle · 31-07-2011, 12:43 AM

i think you might need to rebuild the curve so the vertices are uniformly distributed?

timberwo7ves · 31-07-2011, 11:21 AM

Thanks MrHarle, I'll have a try of that now

timberwo7ves · 31-07-2011, 11:30 AM

This didn't work

I used the rebuild curve command with 50 spans, which added points at relatively even spaces around the curve whilst allowing it to keep its shape. The snapshot (and attach to mopath) was still dense at the start/end as shown in the above screenie.

I'll move onto another section of the bike for now, and ask in class. I'll write back here if I find a solution in case others encounter the same issue

Tale51 · 31-07-2011, 01:41 PM

Hi!
I created a short video that will help you fix your problem. By default Maya keyframes are set to ease-in, that's why objects at the beginning and at the end are close to each other. You just need to remove ease-in and then you'll have equal distance between object.

Here is a link for video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RML8VKNMZh0

P.S. There is something wrong with my video... It's kind of distorted, I don't know why...

timberwo7ves · 31-07-2011, 01:46 PM

superb, thanks very much! We only spent a lesson on it a few months ago and fiddling in the GE was the bit I completely forgot

cheers dude!

30-07-2011, 03:18 PM	#1
timberwo7ves rawr. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 315 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	Maya 2012, Motion paths and Animated Snapshots Trying to model a bike chain with motion paths and animated snapshots. I've set the motion path to use the time slider (50 frames) but it seems very dense at the start and end portion of the motion path, as shown in f.01, and I've shown the control verts for the path in f.02. Settings for the attach to motion path (f.03) and create animated snapshot (f.04) are also shown. Only used this method once before a long time ago (and I wasn't very good then either ) But I wanted to avoid creating a rigged chain/manually duplicating the links, nor did I want to use a plugin/script. Is there something ridiculous I'm doing? I've deleted history (not delete all, just regular) and frozen the transforms on both the link section and the path, though I'm not sure if that would help/hinder the process. -edit If I check the parametric length box, it goes really nicely around the parabolas of the curve but still not evenly dispersed around the entire length of the curve. -- On another note, what's the difference between animation snapshot and an animation sweep (haven't used the latter)? Thanks Attached Images __________________ we're all different [...] but there's something Fantastic about that www.ataulmunim.co.uk \| relating my slow and (un)steady progress in creating a showreel Last edited by timberwo7ves; 30-07-2011 at 03:20 PM.. Reason: added note about parametric length

30-07-2011, 05:39 PM	#2
timberwo7ves rawr. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 315 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	I put this in the wrong forum If a mod sees, could you move to modelling help please? __________________ we're all different [...] but there's something Fantastic about that www.ataulmunim.co.uk \| relating my slow and (un)steady progress in creating a showreel

31-07-2011, 12:43 AM	#3
MrHarle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	i think you might need to rebuild the curve so the vertices are uniformly distributed? __________________ tharle.carbonmade.com

31-07-2011, 11:21 AM	#4
timberwo7ves rawr. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 315 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	Thanks MrHarle, I'll have a try of that now __________________ we're all different [...] but there's something Fantastic about that www.ataulmunim.co.uk \| relating my slow and (un)steady progress in creating a showreel

31-07-2011, 11:30 AM	#5
timberwo7ves rawr. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 315 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	This didn't work I used the rebuild curve command with 50 spans, which added points at relatively even spaces around the curve whilst allowing it to keep its shape. The snapshot (and attach to mopath) was still dense at the start/end as shown in the above screenie. I'll move onto another section of the bike for now, and ask in class. I'll write back here if I find a solution in case others encounter the same issue __________________ we're all different [...] but there's something Fantastic about that www.ataulmunim.co.uk \| relating my slow and (un)steady progress in creating a showreel

31-07-2011, 01:41 PM	#6
Tale51 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hi! I created a short video that will help you fix your problem. By default Maya keyframes are set to ease-in, that's why objects at the beginning and at the end are close to each other. You just need to remove ease-in and then you'll have equal distance between object. Here is a link for video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RML8VKNMZh0 P.S. There is something wrong with my video... It's kind of distorted, I don't know why...

31-07-2011, 01:46 PM	#7
timberwo7ves rawr. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 315 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	superb, thanks very much! We only spent a lesson on it a few months ago and fiddling in the GE was the bit I completely forgot cheers dude! __________________ we're all different [...] but there's something Fantastic about that www.ataulmunim.co.uk \| relating my slow and (un)steady progress in creating a showreel

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