Cineversity

Dear reader,

I want to connect a spline between two objects: cube A and B (see the attached c4d file: Filament).
You can see the spline as the filament of a 3D-printer… when cube A moves the spline is connected to it and moves along.
Cube b doesn’t move but is also connected to the spline.

I’ve tried to connect the end-points of the spline with the constrain-tag but that was no succes.
Just to be clear: I’ve got the Broadcast version of R19 and do not have the hair-tag in my package….
(saw a few tutorials were the connection was made by the hair-tag).

Is it possible to get my question done with the constrain-tag… or the joint functions?

I thank you again in advance!

Michiel
The Netherlands

Hi Michiel,

Please have a look at these three simple set ups:

Scene file
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/cFgkoElMd31Pk78zwpMumNdRqop9fLtR1cPUjIyTzKe

Simple means, that the length of the spline might vary, and the calculations are just close.

Each of them follows the idea to have the spline connected but flexible between Cube A and B.

I used MoGraph here and a little bit of XPresso (in two files) as well.

To have the spline more stiffly connected to the cubes, perhaps ad little helper cubes close to the Cube A and B (invisible) so they determine the direction from each cube. Those go then after (A) and before (B) into the list. If that is not clear, I will set up a file. But for now, I need more feedback if that works or if you need something else.

All the best

P.S.: perhaps way too advanced, but certainly worth mentioning it
https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaytut/creating_a_wire_controller_-_part_1

P.S:

A little bit more XPresso, a printer…

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/qtbCPUKVGiyU5scpID1qdYs54Q9fVICexpt68YB1VAP

Thank you Dr. Sassi,

The solution of the tracer is very nice. The other files is a bit harder for me to understand.
I’ve to take some lessons about how to work with the XPresso part of C4D.

Till next time!

Kind regards,
Michiel

HI Michiel,

Thanks for the feedback.

The main part of the Xpresso is to mix the two main cubes to get a position/rotation mix between them. With that, a helper cube can describe the bow. While the cubes move the distance is taken to estimate the hight of the bow.

Yes, check out some XPresso tutorials, and ask if you find something not clear. XPresso is a huge tool, and very flexible.

All the best