secrets behinds balls

[Yourworstnightmare]

Reactor!

You can use it for anything that requires bouncing and you can even make the ball compress when it hits the floor.

[-Vormav-]

Use dummy objects for different parts of the object's motion: one for the bounce, one for scaling (when the ball hits the floor), one for horizontal motions. Once you get used to setting up animations while working with dummies and linking, getting a ball to bounce around a room should be a fairly quick process.
Of course, if you want realistic dynamics with the ball, reactor is the way to go.

[sundialsvc4]

With any animation tool at all, animations such as a bouncing-ball need to be done procedurally. The computer should have the work of calculating the ball positions, frame by frame, and the squash-and-stretch as well... not you. This isn't a good application of "traditional keyframing."

It's up to you if the movement of the ball needs to be "physically correct" (a la a true dynamics-system), or if a simpler cheat will achieve a comparable effect. But keyframes? Nyet...

[MattH]

Keep up the good work. I see too many animators on here forget the basics of animation and rely too much on the computer. With practice your animation quality and speed will improve. A bouncing ball is a great place to start, and great practice.

If you are new to animation, and even if you aren't, I would recomend reading Richard Williams book on animation. Look online for it. It should be your bible.

Cheers,

Matt

[ashgibney]

The dummy object seems to be the best method in relation to my experience. I'll try that one. But I definately hear what ur saying Matt, which is why I made the animation anyway. I guess this is just for future reference. thanks all

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