Noise animation Controller.

[svenip]

you can write an expression using noise or rand together with a smoothstep function

[Mr Fudge]

So there is no, "create noise curve button"? You mean I will actually have to use my brain to get Maya to do something. This can't be right.

Seriously though how would I do that? Please understand that I am not that proficient at using the animation module in Maya. If I was, would I be asking such a basic question?

Cheers,
F

[dwkim]

You'll have to use all of your brain in Maya, it's a deep deep program.

Look up the MEL functions to get to know them, to know Mel is to love Mel. :)

noise() is a function that gives back values between -1 and +1

It sounds like you will probably use it with time.This snippet of code will give you a irregular noisy curve that gives values between -1 and 1 over the course of time (in seconds).

[my attribute]=noise(time);


If you want only positive values, use the absolute value of noise of time:

[my attribute]=abs(noise(time));


If you want slower noise, multiply time with a factor:

[myattr]=abs(noise(time*10));

If you want values larger than +/-1, multiply the noise by a factor that gives you values closer to what you want:

[myattr]=100*abs(noise(time*10));

You could even use another attribute to control the [myattr] output:

[myattr]=myshape.translateX*(abs(noise(time)));


Read through your docs on expressions, and you should get a better idea than this brief note on expressions and noise. Once you understand how to use expressions and Mel, you may understand why a "modifier" is unneccesary in Maya, and just how powerful expressions and Mel are.

Good luck. :)

[Heinrich]

Unfortunatly, you dont need to think too much when you use Studio Max. Maya is a very complex program and people with Max backgrounds will struggle(I did). But if you need to make a noise curve and use it as an animation path , go to www.goomoo.diy.163.com/ and look for a script called GOOMOO Utilities. Its also at HIGHEND3d.com . It has a lot of primitives like sin curve, gear, star, round square, 3d and 2d noise curve, etc... Good Luck!

[Mr Fudge]

To be honest the mel side of Maya has always intimidated me, but I guess I gotta bite the bullet and wade through those docs.

See youse guys in a couple of months or so...

Will have a look at those utilities in the mean time.

- F

[Mr Fudge]

Just checked out those utilities. Some really handy features.

Thanks for the tip.

- F

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.