More Flexing

[Stoehr]

I thought of creating a point cluster at the end of the strap, and constaining the clip to the cluster, but that something I'd do in XSI. Is there something similar to that?

[Stoehr]

Alright, I just found a good sounding Command from Zoogono.com that might do the job. It's called "MW_Vertex_Attach" and it requires me to find the ID number of the points I want to attach to. How do I find the ID of points in messiah? This sounds great, but I'm stuck here.

Please, sir... please help... :)

[chikega]

Hi Stoehr,

Have you thought about parenting a null to one of the curve points. Then, parent in the place the buckle to the null. This null would act in a sense the pivot point of your buckle object. The buckle object will maintain it's orientation if this end is allowed to swing freely - not sure how you're going to animate it. But if this Curve Point is the "end" of the Motion Dynamics curve then it shouldn't be a problem. I hope this will help you get started thinking in a different direction. :)

[Stoehr]

I've already created this scenario with Motion Dynamics, and successfully had the clip following the strap. However, I was very displeased with the unpredictable results of the dynamic chain, so I've drop it, and I'm going to keyframe the motion.

Right now, I have the clip controled by a bone deformer, and the bone is parented to the last curve point. So the clip follows but doesn't stay with the mesh, because I'm using relative for the "match". I'm using relative so the strap doesn't elongate.

I've been struggling with these straps for two weeks now, and I'm getting closer to a decent result, but it's just not good enough.

All in all, I've realized the complexity of this project and my knowledge of messiah aren't matching up, so I struggle...

[Stoehr]

I have another question/problem:
When moving a point of a flex curve on the z-axis, and it crosses over one of it's neighboring points; the curve twists. Is there a method to prevent the twisting? Like defining an up vector or something similar?

Here's an example:

http://www.theladyandthelion.com/forumPosts/messiah_problem8.jpg

[chikega]

Check this thread out, Stoehr. It may or may not help you out - but, atleast you'll know you're not crazy. :)

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=125578&highlight=wormler

[Stoehr]

Right, well, that finalizes it for me. Back to using bones...

[lmilton]

Right, well, that finalizes it for me. Back to using bones...
Is it possible for you to post an example?

-lyle

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