Hello! I love this tutorial. I am following allowing, but am having the second clone clone on an object clone using a spline (in your example tutorial it is cloning the radial shape in the Y direction up). When my spherical plain effector travels upwards, the clones are pushed together (I have checked all the transform keys.) Do you know why this would be?
Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Would you mind sharing the file with the problem? Zip the file and attach it here. Thanks.
A Project file that has a problem allows for an accurate analysis.
Dr. Sassi,
An absolute web legend.
Attached is the file, I didn’t attach it before because the instance clones made the file .5 GB for some reason. When opening, kindly switch the cloners to “instance.”
If I set the second cloner to make the bottom cloner far apart, the clones will not overlap and the growth appears in “chunks.”
I cannot get the growth to grow on seamlessly (and with variation), like in the example. I do not know what I am doing wrong.
I have tried to understand the way you have set up the file while comparing it to the tutorial.
There are similarities, but mostly your targets seem to move far away from it.
What I tried to do in the file below is based on your lead. It is a suggestion to get a core established that works as a base. You certainly had some ideas ahead of this.
Project file https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/ByEwQ4KS1qUwaLpXUEXZjsELsk2vvmKg5qvYHfXEw0O
From here, you can perhaps go to the extra steps that you like to have.
Some findings, based on what I said above
The Spline and the Rail gave the first closer a particular orientation. With that, the Plain Effector as well the Spherical Field might work, but not at the second Cloner level as expected. I hope I was able to set it in the way it works, along with your target.
The Delay layer in the Falloff is also just a starting point for your further exploration.
All in all, since it was posted as a tutorial question. I believe it is fair to say that you like to do something different here and use the tutorial only as a starting point. To be of better support for your exploration, I would need more about your ideas, where it should go.
Dr. Sassi,
I have tried some other methods of getting a building grow on, but never can seem to get it right. Maybe it has to do with priorities?
I have never used the shift priority tag, but maybe you could help. Anyways, in my new scene, I have tried to use FFD’s plus cloners to have a building grow on.
I tried using a Fracture object, but when it’s set to straight mode, the axises get messed up.
My question, I’ve learned that if I am in axis mode with the move tool selected, the axis will snap to that point (or edges. SUPER HELPFUL. However, when I switch back to object mode, the axis snaps back. Very frustrating.
Secondly, having to do with axises, I went to use a plain effector to have the building scale up, but don’t know how to get it to move up slowly. I have some degree of success, but it grows bigger ways too quickly. I feel only you understand this kind of technical question.
I want the building to grow AND slant, while under a cloner (only reason is to act like a fracture object.)
I do not understand if it is an axis problem, or priority.
I have several parameters animating / effecting objects including:
1. Point Animation
2. Cloner Object
3. FFD Cage Animation
Do you know the correct workflow so I have full control?
Which axis do you see, the axis of the Point selection or the one of the object? If you are in point mode and use the move tool (while the move tool is active), check out the options in the Attribute Manager. Is that what you are looking for? [Retain Changes]. https://help.maxon.net/us/index.html#TOOLMOVE-MDATA_AXIS_GROUP
The Axis Center has maybe an answer for you. However, please understand that the Object Axis is the “world” axis for every single point. If that axis changes, the animation will change. Again this axis can’t change, a reason why I ask people to forget the Group command. One should not change things other parts are related to.
I have explored your file, and it is different than whatever was discussed in the tutorial. Based on that, I have moved the whole thread out of the Tutorial Forum since we mix things up here now. The Tutorial Forum should stay organized.
These are just four examples of how to move points while avoiding PLA [point level animation]. I consider the PLA valuable, but in most cases, it is not elegant to work with it. The more you want to fine-tune your animation, the more you will see limitations with PLA.
To create procedural cities (The J.E.T. series) or have things growing is a long-running interest of mine. For example here in the Marina Towers (Chicago), https://www.cineversity.com/vidplaytut/mograph_marina_city_towers
This was done way back in time (R10), so you need to translate the Falloff to Fields.
Perhaps, something else is needed. Let me know, Architecture is one of the many degrees I hold (…sorry about the bragging). I hope I can set up the right approach for you. I’m happy to look into it.
It is sometimes not clear what each part of a scene file was supposed to be. For example The Delay effector in the Cloner. Since no Cloner Object nor Effector movement was created, the Delay Effector was without anything to work with. To assume that it was an try to bring the speed down is more related to your text than to any settings even inside the project file. Spring is a setting that is the opposite of smooth transitioning. The question came up if the Cloner is at all needed here.
There are two options here, and again, I’m not suggesting PLA, but I use it here as a demo. (The only fun part on PLA is the Time Track option, I mention it, as this perhaps what you want.)
Option one, going by the Cloner object use, take the Object Cloner> Transform> Time and animate this. [File: …MGpl_01.c4d]
The other option is, set up your file with the animation while the timing is not important. (Well, each part could be set up from start to finish of the project time. Start growing at frame zero and end at the project time end.)[…ANac_01.c4d]. This project file contains the Alembic version of the previous, and here you can set up for each object its own time, even with a Spline interface. I played with it a little bit - to make a point.
Files: https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/xIbOzvo7PFjVSgiq5mFlm5uyVIoBqSXrue6U5aqmBZt
Thank you again for your in depth reply and scene files, I am sure the community can learn a lot from your approaches and methodology (as well as the links to the Cineversity tutorials-very helpful)
As for the axis, I just wanted to set the axis permanently on the edge of the object, so in axis mode (and point or edge mode) if I click it the axis will jump to it. If I return to object mode, the axis reverts to its original position.
Your procedural cities links were exactly what I was looking for, thank you so much.
Lastly, I appreciate that you have more degrees than a thermometer, it brings many unique points of views to your projects and work.
Again, thank you for your dedication and clear explanation.
You’re very welcome, Andrew, thanks for the kind reply.
Perhaps take a look at the Axis Center. Again, do this before you animate anything. It might not always harm your animation, but… https://help.maxon.net/us/index.html#11100
I mentioned the degrees only, as I’m happy to share, but as usual, any received information should have some trust build in. I hope my life long learning can establish this.
It is similar to my view of Cinema 4D, one can learn all parts very well, and yet it will not really fly. But at the moment one combines things, the magic starts. I can only encourage to take time to explore, without deadline
It will fill the Creative Library, and then things really start to prosper.
Having said that, here is the reason why I share (if possible) more than one file, and never answer (again, if possible) from memory. Everything changes, which might sound exhausting first, but it keeps us on our creative toes.
In terms of animation, I guess I do not have to point out the Kuleshov Effect. We work to create something inside of our audience; the more we understand that (which is a life long learning process), the more we really create.
Let me know if there is anything else, I’m happy to look into it.
You are a true gentleman and polymath. I will look again at the Axis center, and certainly will be reaching out in the future I am sure at one point if I get stuck. Thank you for bringing up Kuleshov Effect, it is a great principal to keep in mind. (I had to look it up.)
Hi Andrew,
You’re most welcome. Thanks again for your lovely feedback. I really enjoy the mood that you bring to the forum. Thanks for that.
Yes, a perfect clip might feel like a one-take shot (even edited/cut). If we split things and share only what is needed to get the full information anyway in one’s mind, we have more time left to share details that might enrich our clip/movie. (what to leave to the audience and what to show is a critical question)
I somehow had the feeling that you working on something that could benefit from this.
