Cineversity

Hi,

I’m trying to figure out how to get the clones inside a cloner to scale / rotate from a point other than the center. In the attached picture, I would like the cloned segments not to separate from each other as they get smaller.

Hi markb1,

Would that work for you?

Example file:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/i8ad4rndRSKt6bNstE7IZRgVP5pAZ0I8MlLbrtOccGr

Have a look at the Step Effector> Effector> Spline.

Cheers

P.S.: perhaps this works more along your needs?

Project files and screen-capture:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/HbPqXnWrTrapq1Egnnn0C1W8cTqqAqlYQ7WxnJYLzHk

Enjoy

Thank you, but those aren’t it. In the first example, the boxes are still scaling from their centers, in the second one everything is done manually (instead of with a cloner) and I am particularly interested in solving this with a cloner. I can do it manually if all else fails.

Hi markb1,

So, the bottom of the next should always sit on the top of the previous. While scaling accordingly on all three axes. But do I get this correctly: Each axis of a single clone scales equally?
I’m currently unaware that this is doable with MG, except perhaps with the Python Effector (wild guess/hope here).
The MoGraph example that I have given you would need a lot of twiddling with the curve to get there.
I checked if I can get a simple expression for the Formula Effector, but I haven’t.

Please have a look at the file below:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/p93LKVf09Mz9LPLG59uUtH80UaBUE45K2pEvjd0ZId9

I have set them via Xpresso in relation to each other. There is a HUD parameter, click on the numbers and drag.

I have to explore how this could be set up in MoGraph without getting complex. No promise here, other than I will invest some time in this nice problem

Edit: here is an example of the complexity that I can tame.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/PkuFGuP7zXhZgKaVGm2Rr7xdE03E3oGAxFD6hVWykpG
/edit

Cheers

P.S.: Here are three more sketches. Including a one-minute screen capture illustrating the files.

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/FQHSFlCDOfRxBw6aNukQGSpvD8G8Mk85jrnl9G4LwrN

The key problem is that the scale, e.g., of 0.9, would result in an accumulation of the scales before. The first one 0.9, the second one 0.9 + 0.81, the third one 0.9 + 0.81 + 0.729, etc., get this in distance and scale in sync. Nothing of that is a default option in MoGraph.

To avoid this math, one could just put them all in one object, go from there, and then use the Fracture Object. [21]
Or Pose Morph the progress, with some side effects that might be handled with more care. [31]
Perhaps progressively scale an object, and clone the objects (scaled) to the edges. Then adjust the other tow axes along with the objects for scale as well [51]

Have a nice weekend

Thank you very much, I will look into all of these, but for now the two things I am taking away from it are that 1) it would be easier to do it manually and apply a spline IK rig to articulate the appendages, and 2) Maxon should really look into making scale and rotation, in cloner objects and effectors, etc. take place using the axis as center, not the object origin. I don’t suppose there is an easy way to send them feature suggestions?

Thanks for the reply, markb1, very much appreciated.

Yes, I already thought of creating an input about it. Typically, anything that gets more “votes” will get more attention. If you like to support your idea, perhaps drop a line to Maxon. You can find a prepared channel for this here:
https://www.maxon.net/en/support-center
Yes, Maxon loves input. So, thanks for considering it.

However, it hasn’t left my mind since you asked, and I believe it might be possible with some code lines. But that would be a case for the Developer Forum or the CV Toolbox.

I have some other ideas and will keep this in mind. As usual, a problem comes back until it is solved. You are the first to ask me about this after we introduced it in 2006 MoGraph, it is time to have it. I think it will find the love it deserves.

Have a great weekend

P.S.here is the smallest Xpresso set up I can think of, for objects 100cm tall, and 20 objects total. Other sizes need an adjustment in the Multiplication, where the 100 is now.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/L1UqTaCPWkdsbp4wj7cwF5Dav8lo3SbbJgTfZsTPrK4
I hope that helps to communicate the idea.