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archanex
09-02-2007, 01:36 AM
Hey guys,

I'm doing some R&D for an upcoming project, and after hearing about the way they setup the face controls for Surfs Up, I wanted to see if I could do something similar in Max 9, however I ran into some problems.

What I'd like to be able to do is be able to move the yellow box helper, (Macro Control) and have the it affect the green point helpers (Micro Controls) at a lesser percentage, so if I move the macro control up 1, the surrounding micro controls follow at .5. Meanwhile the micro control directly aligned to the macro control would move at 100%. And then be able to tweak the micro controls after moving the macro into position

Ideally the macros that are aligned to the micros would follow the micros then they are being positioned, however I think this may be fundamentally impossible :(

http://www.twigpeople.com/dmo/rig/desiredrig.gif


The way I have it setup right now, is I have the verts on the mesh, skinned to their respective micro controls. The only way I could figure to get the micro controls to follow the macros, is to have the micros position constrained to the macros. The problem is that this prevents me from moving the micros independantly

here is the way the current setup is working :(

http://www.twigpeople.com/dmo/rig/currentrig.gif
As you can see the circled micros do not follow the macro as desired


Am I going about this all wrong? can someone steer me in the right direction? Max help would be preferable, but Maya knowledge may be useful as well! Thanks a lot!
Dimich
09-02-2007, 06:57 AM
Here is a possible solution that I have used for a facial rig on my demo reel (if interested just go to www.dimitrykachkovski.com (http://www.dimitrykachkovski.com)).

Basically you are correct in using a position controller. But it is possible to make the micro also be able to move independantly. What you need to do is add a new position controller to the micro. I suggest that because having one empty controller is always good to back track some issues. To add a position controller, select the Micro, go to the motion panel and you will see an "Assign Controller" rollout. There you will notice a transform controller and in it the position and rotation controllers. (Assuming that you already position constrained the micro) There will be two more rollouts there: one saying "position XYZ" the other "Position Constraint". Then the third will be an empty controller that is called "Available". Select it and click on a small button with a "?" on it. If you hold the mouse over it, it will say "Assign Controller". In the popped up menu select "Position XYZ". That will add a new zeroed out position XYZ. What basically happens is you defined a new controller that has it's local matrix originate based on the current local orientation and position of your object in world space. So all the transformations from that point on are claculated in that controller from 0. But thats not all. If you look a bit lower in the motion panel menu you will notice a "Position List" rollout. in it you will see 3 position controllers: 2 "Position XYZ" and one "Position Constraint". The first position XYZ is you original world matrix position controller. The second is self explanatory. The third is the new one you just added. Double click on it and it becomes active. What you have just basically done is similar to "Freeze Transform". Now with this active you are able to move the main Control object with the micro and the micro separately. Hope this helps:)

Cheers!
archanex
09-04-2007, 03:09 AM
Thanks a lot for the reply! I'm definantly going to try this out =)
PEN
09-04-2007, 12:04 PM
That rig that Dimitry has pointed out is right off my forth training DVD if you are interested. I cover how to set up exactly what you are looking for.
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