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Shrinking clones along a spline wrap
Posted: 08 August 2019 05:06 AM   [ Ignore ]  
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Joined  2012-04-04

Hi:

In an animation I’m building I need to indicate a flow of ink that diminishes as it progresses.  I’ve created a spline wrap to bend a line of cloned arrows along the path I want, and I’m using the Spline Size curve to squish the arrows as they get towards the end of their path.

I could live with this, but I’d rather have the arrows shrink uniformly along the path, rather than squish down into toothpicks (keeping their length) and then out.

I haven’t been able to find a combination of effectors or fields that can do that.  Any hints?

Thanks.

Shawn Marshall
Marshall Arts Motion Graphics

File Attachments
Arrow Wrap Shrink.c4d.zip  (File Size: 123KB - Downloads: 2)
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Posted: 08 August 2019 06:18 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]  
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Hi Shawn,

The attachment system is broken. Sorry about the extra work (I will send you an upload link.)

This is usually a tricky setup, as I believe, you like to have the arrows getting closer while shrinking.

I will have a look at the file when I get it, DropBox will send me an alert if something arrives.

Cheers

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Posted: 08 August 2019 10:35 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 2 ]  
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Thanks for the file.

Please have a look here:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/jJ7bCG5rUvG3w9V0X7gkSqP7OxWuZIZkAfm3YOPufsK

I have scaled a copy of the arrow.
The original and the scaled version is placed under a Cloner Object, Mode is set to Blend.
The clones move along a straight Spline. (Rate)

The option to Fix the Bounding Box is essential here. So the changing length of the overall Cloner result is not included, just the Bounding box is mapped onto the shaped Spline.

The Blend option of the Cloner is answered by the Modify Clone option in the Plain effector. The two example fields work on the results of the Cloner, so they must be placed where the straight Spline is, not the Wrapped Deformer result!

I hope all of that makes sense, if not please ask.

Have a great evening!

P.S.: This technique was used in this clip, which was a tutorial series suggestion at one point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psFGdd753Dk
Enjoy

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
Maxon Master Trainer, VES, DCS

Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
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Posted: 09 August 2019 02:54 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 3 ]  
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Hi Shawn,

I have recorded a screen capture and used larger object to see it in a better way.

Project Files and Screencapture
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/8RQBvtce1YdkV411udkJXYYrwRlekqdvJzOKrXlB2VF

Let me know if there is any question, I’m happy to look into it.

Enjoy

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
Maxon Master Trainer, VES, DCS

Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
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Posted: 09 August 2019 03:15 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 4 ]  
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P.S.: If those arrows were supposed to represent, for example, an airstream, then the smaller arrows need to be faster. Perhaps the opposite is the required setup. Anyway, both are in the file below:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/d869bnWZPDZhNGjzWgsIK2RMzuelSp07TLUxZKhtptY

The first half and the second half of the file show how it could work. It is all in the XP_UserData> Attribute Manager> User Data> Spline interface.
As mentioned, it is a little bit more tricky but possible.

Cheers

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
Maxon Master Trainer, VES, DCS

Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
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Posted: 12 August 2019 03:14 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 5 ]  
Total Posts:  138
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Hi:

Thanks for the scene file and explanation.  I really appreciate your help.  I think this makes sense.

The arrows are supposed to indicate an increasing (or decreasing) volume of ink as it moves through a printhead architecture, and I don’t think we’re going to muck about with varying speeds for the arrows.

Apologies for not replying sooner; as is often the case when I’m slamming on other deadlines my reply might be delayed.

Best.

Shawn

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Posted: 12 August 2019 03:24 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 6 ]  
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You’re very welcome, Shawn, thanks for the reply!

Please do not worry a second about any delay.
I’m happy when I get the feedback, which will help others to evaluate the files provided in a better way.

My best wishes for your project.

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
Maxon Master Trainer, VES, DCS

Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrSassiLA/playlists

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