Spline animation

[BCEmcke]

That isn't as hard as it sounds. Just assign a null object to every point of the spline. In expresso you drag the null object and the spline. Then create a "point" node like in the pic. Then I would animate the mouse with a spline (align to spline), copy the splines and use them for the null objects as well. you can so with a little fiddling create the illusion of the cable being dragged behind.
As for your second question I would just extend the null object splines (the ones that the null object follow (with the align to spline tag) to get to the shape of the number. It might be a great fiddling thing but as always this is only one idea.
Hope it works out for you. If you got further questions just give me a holler.
Cheers
Björn

EDIT : forgot the pic.

http://www.bcemcke.com/xpressosetup.jpg

[Delinos]

Hi
1. I would try using bones and Soft IK to make it as a very long tail. Then you could set the stiffness to you liking.
2. Sounds like a job for PathDeformer. Draw your number with splines and animate the offset.

Cheers
Anders

[JamesMK]

Hair module spline dynamics and collisions.

Setup time < 2 minutes.

Of course, this won't help if you need it really soon.... You can hopefully check out the attached file in the demo version for the time being

[kromekat]

Wow! - thanks for the quick and alternate methods guys!

The Expresso method doesn't look too intense - thanks for that, i'll (have a go to) try it out! :)

DOH! - I didn't even think about bones for this - which is kind of insane, since I used a similar technique on a kites tail a couple of years back! :] - thanks for that! :)

HAIR! - coolness! - that's what I love about Maxon tools - there is always 'more' possibility and scope available than you'd initially consider on face value! - mine is ordered, and in fact I should be able to wait for it to arrive before the job becomes an impending reality! :) - many thanks for that method and file James, it actually looks like that could be the easiest solution for the first step! :D

Stil not entirely sure about the second step, in terms of a balance between the forming of the shape, and a little bit of movement - maybe I should just add that movement with some spline point keyframes here and there.

Thanks again guys! ;)

Adam

[Katachi]

Or as another alternative, DPIT´s spline dynamics. :) Very easy and fast setup too.

[Delinos]

maybe I should just add that movement with some spline point keyframes here and there.

Yes, or use a deformer on the spline like NICKL and animate the Maximum Strenght from 100 to 0 while the mouse "draws" the number.

Cheers
Anders

[Rabbitroo]

Or as another alternative, DPIT´s spline dynamics. :) Very easy and fast setup too.

As long as you're not using a Mac . . . :p

-K

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