Basic question

[Carina]

Right..

1. To move rotate or scale objects without the handle an easy way is to use the translate x/y/z, rotate x/y/z, scale x/y/z attributes of the object. There you can key in values.

2. See the icons at the top row in Maya? The ones with the magnets on. If you use the curve with a magnet for example, it will 'snap to curve' that is you can make sure a new point aligns with a curve.. There is also snap to point and grid etc.

3. I'm not actually quit sure if I've understood exactly what you mean. But if you want to connect one attribute with the other to infinity, I would guess the simplest way to do this isn't to use set driven keys, but to simply connect the rotate z attribute of the driver with the translate x attribute of the driven object. Well.. you might have to put a utility node in between to determine exactly how much it should move per degree or whatever.

[Studev]

Thx for your fast reply Carina,

1. Ok, so the only way to do it, is by typing in the value. I just want to know wether they have a better tool for that.

2. This is exactly what i did. Somehow it doesn't snap to the curve. I will try to find out on my own again soon. I guess, i make a mistake somewhere. But it just didn't snap.

>>..but to simply connect the rotate z attribute of the driver with >>the translate x attribute of the driven object.

You mean that, i don't need to key and simply connect the attribute ? What i know so far is, you need the key (i'm not so sure, but then, the manual doesn't say anything about it.) And If I only key one attribute to the driver and driven, i won't do anything except i map several driver keys to the driven. Can you clarify for me on this ?

>>Well.. you might have to put a utility node in between to >>determine exactly how much it should move per degree or >>whatever.

;) Yes, you got my idea, thx. I need it to be automatic. BTW, Can you tell me what is the node ?

Thanks
Studev

[wgreenlee1]

For question 1 you can also use your "Virtual slider".
In fact its a habit with me because its makes moving things so easy.
Plus you can use it for local scaleing ...all sorts of things.

[Carina]

Right, I'll go into some more details...

1. You can do it in several different ways. I'm sure there are scripts behaving different ways as well. If you don't like to key them in, you can always try to mark the attribute you want to change and then mmb drag. This is one alternative to using the gizmo.

3. I assume you're trying to use set driven keys?
For what you want to do I personally wouldn't use set driven keys, for the exact reason you pointed out which is what causes your problem.

Instead try this: Say I create two objects, a sphere (the driver) called pSphere1, and a cube (the driven) called pCube1. Then open up the hypergraph, make sure it is set to 'Input and Output Connections'.

MMB drag pShere1 onto pCube1. In the list that comes up choose 'Other...', this will open up the connection editor. Scroll down on the left and choose whatever attribute you want to be the driver. (for example rotate z). Then scroll down on you right and select whatever attribute you want it to drive (e.g. translate x). Then close the window and try to rotate z on the sphere, and you'll see the cube move accordingly.

The reason I mentioned extra nodes is that what I just did takes the numerical value of the rotate and uses it for translate on the cube. This means that the cube moves a lot even when i just rotate the sphere a little. If you use a multiply/divide node in between you can give yourself more control of how much you want the cube to move when the sphere rotates.

Again, there might be a better way of doing this, I'm not an expert and particularly not an expert when it comes to animation.

[Studev]

I appreciate your answer very much Carina, i got the technique that you mention. Thx

Thx wgreenlee1 for replying the first question.

Thanks
Studev

[MasonDoran]

for the step 1:

just use MMB instead of LMB(with appropriate tool selected)

for step 2: memorize the x c and v hotkeys in combination the MMB drag

step 3: use an expression for this. It almost sounds like shooting a bullet or something.

[Carina]

Yeah, an expression is probably a lot easier than using multiply/divide nodes etc.

See, told you I am no animator
:D

[wgreenlee1]

Carina off topic...cool website!:thumbsup:

[alexx]

one more hint to moving along an axis without touching it:

there is also a gestural move in maya:

hold down the shift key and MMB drag in the direction of an axis somewhere in the viewport..
like that maya will limit the movement to that ONE axis and lets you freely move in that direction.
very handy and fast.
i use that a lot

cheers

alexx

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