Cineversity

Hello:

I built a set that consists of a bunch of transparent boxes with fluorescent tubes on each of the edges. I want to be able to use a falloff shape to trigger flickering on and off of the materials. If there are any tips on how to rig this that would be helpful.

Other facts about the scene: The boxes are not on a cloner, they are individually placed and arranged in the scene. The tubes have a single material applied. I want to animate a flicker on and run a falloff shape in and out of the boxes.

Hi phloptik,

I’m not clear if the flourescents have to be in sync or flicker randomly if the falloff is close.

Have a look to the file, render as Preview. The boxes are placeholders, perhaps that are the one you have in mind or you can place them where your boxes are and switch visibility/render off if needed.

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/gWQSLhhXa0ptmYhU6OOFs9Gg1Har8HOKQ9cL4_6drlA?ref_=cd_share_link_copy_flash

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/eI_stvCzNRUNska11vFZdKFTqg4kb1417TswShFyugM?ref_=cd_share_link_copy_flash

Both files have individual solutions. Let me know if it fits to your targets.

In a nutshell, the simplest way is to use the MoGraph Color Shader as “switch”, based on the Falloff.
(Besides that the Proximal Shader can work in a similar way, but instead of a falloff, an object is utilized. The effect is then also possible in a partial way.)

All the best

I guess I could use multiple falloffs and shaders if I wanted to change the flicker on other sets of tubes. This works great Sassi thanks for your time man.

You’re welcome, phloptik!

Yes, many falloffs or even many Beat shaders in a Multi-shader (set to index).

If you have some questions—let me know.

Have a great weekend

I wanted to ask a little more about the multi shader. When it’s set to index will it assign a beat shader randomly from it’s stack of beat shaders? This would be a way to organize each one of the beat shaders.

What are some advantages of using the multi shader and do you think using a fracture object to put all of the florescent tubes under is the best way to work?

Hi phloptik,

The Multi Shader will take the clones, based on the “Mode” that is set. But—the “Fracture” will not provide an ID for the objects underneath of it for the Multi-Shader-Mode, perhaps you work there with color or brightness from Effectors. (Check Min/Max if you use colors, 0-100% is my default)

To overcome the Fracture shyness to provide for Multi-Shader IDs, you can use the Formula Effector: (id/count)+0.01

The Multi shader gives you more control. The use of an animated Random Effector allows for a simpler and much faster set up.

If all fluorescent objects have already a position, then it will work, except for any ID based work. IDs are only given individually based on linear clones. (A grid set up is not linear set up is, a radial is.)

Let me know if there is something else :o)

All the best