Cineversity

Hi
I recently made this animation:
https://vimeo.com/390205312

Tried doing it using xpresso - 1st screw rotating down, causes 2nd screw to rotate up.
My problems began while trying to make 2nd screw drive the animation of the 3rd screw and so on..
played a bit with keyframing Enabled\Disabled multiple xpresso tags, but it became a hustle- so ended up keyframing everything.

So..

In the file attached i’d like:

Frame 0-25 :A to control B
Frame 25-50 : B to control C
Frame 75-100 : C to control D
Frame 125-150 : D to control A

Is it possible via xpresso only?

Hi Gilk,

Yes, it is possible to do it all in XPresso. I have set up the first couple (0-25) here:
Screenshot, project file
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/7nUU6C12NQOKHmlzpvYxkwJlnKrNHeNnuvV0o749qen

However, you might notice that you have to repeat this set up a few times, and it might get a little bit complex. At least it is quite some work, especially if you need to change something.

Given that the animation is repetitive, I would suggest working with animation clips.
I have set up a specific rig: The Parent allows you to move things around. The second holds the Motion System, which will enable one to swap out the object, without losing the animation. This hierarchy needs to be always the same for each group. It can be changed, but then the animation clip will not work, perhaps, and the recording needs to be done again.

Screen capture and scene file:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/OKyEf7iO8yXVRQDO40yholxjZMcWp7HU0DGN7DqQeRR

If you click on a motion clip, the Attribute Manager> Advanced offers even a spline interface to reverse the motion, practically, only one clip would be needed, the second one (down) is a reverse of that spline “curve”.

I hope that works for your project.

Cheers

All the best

Thanks

Looks Good,checking it out.

Cheers

G

Just Checked both files

The xpresso rig seems a bit complex for that specific task, and a bit out my xpresso league

The Motion Clip method is amazing i must say! Never used it.
Gonna try recreating the animation using it.

Thanks for taking the time to help, it’s very helpful.

G

Hi Gilk,

The Xpresso is based mainly on the “If that is true, then do this, otherwise do that”.
The formula reads like this ?(a<1;1;0). If a is smaller than one, output 1, otherwise 0.
Inside the Formula node, the first input is called $1, and the second $2, etc.
The “if-then” can be used again to replace a single output.
The switch node delivers its own values to the objects or feeds a new one in. That is, in a nutshell, all.
Yes, it is way too much work for this animation.

The Animation clip is so much more what you need, it is easy to manage and to adjust. That you can see the clip and all others at once gives me even in more complex setups good feedback.

My best wishes.