Cineversity

Helloo,

I’m trying to use the time effector in deformation: object mode, I was wondering if there is a way to access the “deformed” axis of the affected object?

I like using effectors as deformers a lot, and I have a vague understanding that deformed object system works like a hierarchy where copies of the resulting deformed object are created and not directly/easily accessible (vague understanding).

The point node in xpresso allows you to tick “use deformed points” so I was hoping there is a way to get this same info on modified axis of an object which has had it’s PSR affected by an effector set to object mode.

thanks!

Hi NNenov,

Since you wanted to use the point node, I hope I got your idea correctly.

Please have a look in the file below, it contains three set ups.

Scene file[s]
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/n5orQQIkvs0khfw4IJHGdkhug5X1mUVhJDFlugBsVAe

However, I have more the impression that you like to have the Object Axis as value. The question would be, why not create your own as below:

Scene File
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/cw63HOA2WqRDY7Z7hB5xriMSg3ZkWzAevYt7GptjNlC

With this set up you have instantly your values. The Object path is set to absolute>Reference Mode>Absolute Reference. This means that you can place the XPresso Tag on any object and it should work instantly. Save as: Object Manager> File> Save Tag Preset… and you can call this one up at anytime.

The Mograph parts in the set up are not needed, and show only how simple the information can be supplied to a Cloner Object.

Your question about an direct access to the axis data seems not given with XPresso for the Time Effector>Deform>Object. Even the axis is rotated, which one can see by using the Current State to Object, the axis values of the new copy have changed. Perhaps there is an option in Python…

All the best

P.S.: you might check the SDK PY: BaseObject.GetDeformCache()

Hi Dr.Sassi,

These are all interesting examples, I only mention the point node to talk about how there’s a deformed state of an object, not to use it, actually I just want to access the deformed object axis.
This is more of an exploratory question, as I sometimes just get curious about how C4D works, I do not have a project specific problem.
Basically, I am only interested in the axis of the object after it has had it’s PSR modified by an effector which has deformation mode set to Object mode;

Here’s a clear scene file to show what I mean:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rtjlkixl73vwnts/getAxis.c4d?dl=0

As I said I don’t even have a problem, so maybe this is not a useful thing to understand or try to do..!!

Thanks for the file, Nick.

Here is a file, which accesses the values given from the Time-Effector to the Object [the Cube in this case],

This information is easily available. If that data is fine with you, then have a look to the file below:

Scene file
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/OAunPavuEjbMnxE7HFbofbCUtZGMpg4uGO09QELK43x

But it doesn’t read the Cube’s axis, it tells what the Cube will receive. The Sample is taken from the Cube’s axis point (but not from “his” axis itself!) and that same value is given to the Null, as per your request [kind of]. It results in the same constellation. But it takes it from the source of animation, not inherited from the first receiver of it. I hope that makes sense.

Check the Coordinate manager, the cubes values do not change, while the Cube is rotating. So, it is not available, except for the CSTO [current state to object) procedure, and then frozen for one frame only. Again, no idea how to get this Cube change, for this set up.

The key is that the Effector is at the same location [PSR] as the cube, which brings up the idea to use the Global Matrix for the cube for the Sampling. This results in the feeling that the Global Matrix will change, based on the Time Effector. Now it becomes clear why the missing change can be taken as an advantage, as the Sample Matrix input is not changing. (Otherwise the effector would change the matrix and with this the results of the effoctor and the the cube would change twice, like a microphone/speaker feedback, not usable in other words.

Have a look in this scene

Scene file
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/Kh60zBmCodMvBP19pZfIGGSxXPRpUl7cgV977MXYSJV

The Time Effector uses as well a position change and the sphere is following accordingly, as the Tracer shows. Any previous value (Matrix) of the Cube will show up in the progress of the spheres [Tracer] path.

My best wishes

P.S.: Please have a look at this file, as it introduces as well animation to the cube, prior to the Effector. However, the Null with the sphere is following exactly.

Scene file
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/qeaDJkYfeeOY6h2oSX1s3LTyvDGZLEeeJywru6KIeLA

I hope the three files _31 to _33 will illustrate the process that I suggest here.

Please note that the change of the Matrix in the Result is only based on the given key frame animation, not at all on the Effector information.

In this way the given information is a result of both (animation plus effector) and the axis change of the Cube is the same as given to the Null object.

I hope that is a workable answer for your question.

Excellent. This is a great solution, simple and would make a great tag preset with link userdata.
Thank you!

Thanks a lot, Nick.

I guess you have it already in work. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.

All the best