Ball Bounce ???

[Jozvex]

Err, you don't need an expression to keep the volume of the ball.

If you use the Squash deformer it'll work fine.

Hehe you could just use dynamics for the whole thing and it would do everything realistically, but I'm guessing that's not the point.

If it's an animation type excercise, you should just keyframe the ball rotating yourself.

[the3DBEAST]

the exercise is our first animation. so, it def is a animation exercise. our instructor gave us the volume expression, and we cant use dynamics.

I would like to have the expression, b./c if there is one, then, that is what the industry uses im sure. i would rather do it that way than any other way. I dont mind either way, but, i would rather use an expression, especially if it will look better. If anyone can help out...it will be GREATLY appreciate :) thanx!

[DesignDawg]

No. The "industry" does not use an expression to rotate something. The indutry uses the simplest means available, and in this case, that includes no expressions, either for squash/stretch or for rotation. The quickest way to do squash/stretch is with the deformer, and the quickest way to rotate your ball is to keyframe.
Of course you can make an expression to rotate the ball, but WHAT would be the point?
Keyframes. Graph editor. Crawl before you walk. Walk before you run.

Ricky

[Rudity]

Use the Squash deformer.
I know its been said but ill say it again.

O lol i thought i was on the wrong site seeing those avatars.. LOL

[jschleifer]

Gotta agree here..

the only time i'd use an expression to make the ball rotate was if it was just moving along a path in one direction.. but if I were to try and give the ball "life" (as I'm assuming you're supposed to do), I'd keyframe it.

whee! :)
-jason

[Jozvex]

And let me brag on behalf of the previous poster (I hope you don't mind),

jschleifer is a Maya Master featured on Mayamasters.com who has been working on The Lord of the Rings,

so I think that's all the industry evidence you need


:)

[jschleifer]

LOL!

thanks for the kudos.. but I'm just agreeing with what everyone else already said! :)

the3DBeast: if you're wondering why we're all so adamant against using expressions, it's mainly because they take away from your ability to make certain decisions yourself as to how the ball's going to roll.

If you tie yourself to an expression, then you can't make the ball easily "slip" along the ground (if it's pushing something heavy, for example).. you limit the amount of choices which become available to you in terms of telling your "story".

And, even if in THIS case you don't need to do anything fancy with your ball, it's good practice to learn how to animate something which moves realistically because someday you WILL have to do it.. and you won't be able to use an expression to do it either because you won't have time, the software you're using won't allow it to be done exactly the way you need it, or you need to key something which LOOKS real from the camera, but doesn't actually behave realistically according to "real world physics". We like to call it "film physics". :)

hope this helps you understand why we all went "AHH! NO! EXPRESSION BAD!!"

cheers!
-jason

[dmcgrath]

what was this thread about? I cant get my eyes off the left side of the screen.

[Rudity]

what was this thread about? I cant get my eyes off the left side of the screen.

Hahaha i thought the same thing. Maybe i should change my avatar too. Just to fit in and all.. :p

[wrend]

dont rudity! dont know about your preferences...but i sure likes the look of that little squirrel !! those little flanks..that bushy tail .. :eek: !

[dmcgrath]

EWWWWWWWWWWWW...

[Rudity]

LMAO!!!!

wrend if you want i can email some more "revealing" renders if you like.
Always a free trial. :p
hahahah
later Squirrel boy.

[Per-Anders]

eeeew!

i don't think i'll ever be able to look that squirell in the eye again, in any thread!:eek:

[wrend]

yeah, a bit orf, sorry. poor lil fella! couldnt help it tho ..model/actor girl, porn girl, squirrel ... he just looked so content and chip in amongst them all. heh.

[the3DBEAST]

thanx a lot everyone!! really, this is great. so i guess i am going to start rotating this thing :), and we arnt trying to give the ball life, it cant be self-motivated, just make it bounce. I really appreciate everyone help.

my school, is like, THE BEST it seems are teaching Compter Animation...and, we move FAST..haha, i just dont want to miss anything, and i this forum seems like its gonna be a BIG help. so, thanx everyone!! really!!

the3DBEAST
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R.S.A.D. - C.A.

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