Cineversity

I’m trying to emulate the way the lights on a theatre marquee sign alternate turning on and off and I’m stumped. See attached screen grab.

I’ve got two CLONER objects lining the top and bottom and on the left and right of the sign but having trouble alternating lights turning on and off.

Scene file also attached. (C4D version 12)

Any tips, suggestions welcome!

Thanks!
-Jason

Hi Jconnolly,

You need two objects underneath the Cloner. One illuminated, one off. Then set the Cloner Object to (Objects>Clones>)Sort, and use a Formula Effector then to alternate between the two, which is done with Parameters>Modify Clones (100%). The Formula Effector might be set to 1800 instead of the 360 in the formula, and adjust as well the T slider. Position, Scale and Rotation is checked off.

Please note that the Grid option does not support the best ID numbers for the Clones. I would use perhaps a Matrix to set them up (Via Inheritance Effector) and have the Cloner Object set to Linear for the clones. In that way they get a individual IDs.

If you like, you can introduce even three groups of bulbs, one off, the second with a (starting/fading) glowing wire, ad the third completely bright (Glass)

All the best

Sassi

P.S.: in the attached file you find a Random Effector, this one is used to rotate the bulbs a little bit, as they normally have the Wire inside not all lined up in a group like yours.

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share?s=fDwfYIzhRNgm_Wyo0mCnFE

Obviously I can’t uploads files here at the moment, please try my URL :o)

Dr. Sassi, my old friend!  You may not remember me but I’ve asked for your help many times back on the old PXC site.  Great to see you here!

At any rate, your suggestions are right on target (see my test clip attached).  I just need to play around a bit to get it just where I want it.

Thanks very much as always!

Cheers,
Jason

Great!  I will try a Matrix set-up this afternoon!  Thank you thank you!

Hey Jason,

I remember of course. :o) I try to use the names that people use in their post, even if I know someone, perhaps the avatar name is all they like to be visible here.

I hope you are doing well! Let me know if you need an example with the Matrix/Inheritance workflow. :o)

I downloaded the example, and nice that the idea works.

Have a nice day

Sassi

Thanks!  And I found a video example of what I’m trying to emulate: http://youtu.be/_meHaHH3hLs?t=22s

I’ll keep working on it, thanks!

-Jason

Hey Jason,

If you only want to have two states (on or off) as in the movie, please try this formula:

?((mod(trunc(t);2)=mod(id;2));0;1)

Use the T-slider to adjust the time.

All the best

Sassi

Dr. Sassi- That formula is perfect and I’m so sorry to bother you with this but which “T-slider” are you referring to that adjusts the timing of the on/off sequence?

Thanks,
Jason

HEy Jason,

It does not bother me, not at all.

The “t” slider is in the part of the “Variables”. If set to 1.0, the project time is used, like 3 seconds x 1.0
So you can slow down (e.g., 0.5) or speed up (e.g., 2.3) the frequency of the change.

All the best
Sassi

Perfect! Thank you very much!  -Jason

You’re welcome, Jason!