STORMTRACER: a question

[Horganovski]

How about using the Spline on Spline plugin to make a spline you can 'grow' along the length of the real spline, I've just tried a simple setup here and it seems that Stormtracer works fine with the Spline on Spline object as its reference.

HTH,
Cheers,
Brian

[JoelOtron]

How about using the Spline on Spline plugin to make a spline you can 'grow' along the length of the real spline, I've just tried a simple setup here and it seems that Stormtracer works fine with the Spline on Spline object as its reference.

HTH,
Cheers,
Brian

Thanks Brian

I actually tried that immediately after posting. Unfortuntely the plugins not showing up on my Intel Mac

Actually switching to another method using mograph and clones with noise and fresnel alpha to imitate the smoke look.

[ooo]

I just opened a few scenes with Stormtracer to see if I could help. But on my IntelMac with OSX10.5 Stormtracer isn't rendering. Am I doing something wrong or is it not working anymore?

odo

[JoelOtron]

OOO--try re entering your serial
I went through the same thing. I havent used ST since getting my new rig and 10.5 and was having the same problem.

[ooo]

Thanks Joel,

will try that!

odo

Edit: Yes that did the trick!! thanks again :)

[ooo]

Not sure if I understood your problem well, but here's a movie of growing smoke along a spline. You probably need something more complex. Offset also the startposition?

odo

[JoelOtron]

Hmm--that actually looks like what I want only along a different path and without the age scale effect. I tried keyframing the end value but not the start--I''l try that THANKS.

[JoelOtron]

Hey odo--would you mind posting that file if you get a chance? Im not getting the same results on my end.

THANKS!

Joel

[SilverCity]

Sorry, can't help you JoelD. I really wish that there was a demo available for Stormtracer. I've been tempted to buy based on the reel, but I always like to demo a product before I make a cash commitment.

Nice smoke, odo.

[acmepixel]

Per, oh Per, where's Per? Must've already headed off to his Memorial Day barbecue.

[ooo]

Hey odo--would you mind posting that file if you get a chance? Im not getting the same results on my end.

THANKS!

Joel

Here you go!

odo

Edit:

The previewd part is in frames 100-200. I think you need to fiddle with the settings to get the look you need. :)

[JoelOtron]

Thanks odo

To get the piece done I went the "old school" way--using mograph cloner to move spheres on a spline and used a noisy alpha material on them with fresnel. Then just effected in post. (see below). I wan to use ST more--so your file will be helpful--THANKS again

joel

[acmepixel]

Although I'm very glad you found a solution to your anim problem, I have to say "wow" I love the NPR render. Nicely done. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Horganovski]

Nice example Odo, thanks for posting it..

I have to admit I have Stormtracer for a while but still find some of the settings a bit mysterious.. great to have a nice example to pick apart.

I've just one question about it, does this setup need the Weight map on the Spline or was that just an experiment?

Cheers,
Brian

[ooo]

Nice example Odo, thanks for posting it..

I have to admit I have Stormtracer for a while but still find some of the settings a bit mysterious.. great to have a nice example to pick apart.

I've just one question about it, does this setup need the Weight map on the Spline or was that just an experiment?

Cheers,
Brian

I have no idea why I put the weightmap there (LOL) You can safely remove it. By the way I made this example with the help of another example that was Provided by PerAnders on the Thirdparty forum long time ago. I made adjustments to have nice subtle smoke. Glad you like it :)

@Joel: good to see you figured it out with Mograph. Is there something that cannot be done with Mograph? :thumbsup:

odo

[Horganovski]

Cool, thanks again, I've looked at that Third Party forum but it seems very bare, nothing in the way of examples etc, maybe it's been wiped and restarted or something. (of the 3 topics on it, one of them is one I started:D)

It would be cool to have some kind of Wiki for Stormtracer like Remotion does for his plugins, it's a fantastic plugin but I find the manual is a little lacking in that it just lists each attribute and what it does but there aren't really any practical examples like say "If you want to make a plume of smoke rising do steps X,Y and Z.." The only tutorial I've seen online is one on making snow, would be great to have more.

Cheers,
Brian

[JoelOtron]

@doug: Thanks :)

@odo: every day I discover new things in mograph I didnt know were there. And I've had it for 2 years now. Its a great tool and I hope it continues to be developed.

I am a bit dissapointed that stormtracer hasnt gotten more exposure lately. There was a lot of interest after the first year it was released--the 3rd party forums were hopping, users were posting files and there was some great energy there. I suppose like most things peoples attention begin to turn elsewhere, and maybe with Per and Paul being scooped up by Maxon, there wasnt enough time or energy to devote to keeping it in the spotlight. Its nice to see talented artists like Justin Bates doing some really top notch effects work with it. I suppose ST is one of those niche plugins that might come across as a bit too esoteric for the casual user--but very useful to those that have mastered it. Or than again--what do I know? Some assinine Saturday afternoon philosophizing while my file renders....

[ooo]

Hmm, just checked and the old forum isn't available anymore it seems. That explains why the old examples and tips are missing. A pity :(
Very glad there is a UB version that is still working in R10.5
I hope Stormtracer will revive someday in a new C4D version. It's such a versatile tool!

btw Horganovski: I don't know if you need this but if you want a continuous smoketrail just put the growth value back to 0 and delete the animation track for growth.

odo

[Horganovski]

Thanks for that Odo, the current forum for Stormtracer seems to be here (http://st45.startlogic.com/%7Eperander/plugins/forum/viewforum.php?f=6)
As you'll see it's mostly tumbleweed :eek:

Maybe it could be revived if users start posting stuff over there.
I managed to come up with a little xpresso setup that allows you to use MoGraph Cloners and Matrix Objects as the Stormtracer references, it's pretty simple as it just positions points of a polygon object where the clones are so ST can render them but it could be useful to someone so I might have a look for it and upload it later on.

Cheers,
Brian

[ooo]

Thanks for that Odo, the current forum for Stormtracer seems to be here (http://st45.startlogic.com/%7Eperander/plugins/forum/viewforum.php?f=6)
As you'll see it's mostly tumbleweed :eek:

Maybe it could be revived if users start posting stuff over there.
I managed to come up with a little xpresso setup that allows you to use MoGraph Cloners and Matrix Objects as the Stormtracer references, it's pretty simple as it just positions points of a polygon object where the clones are so ST can render them but it could be useful to someone so I might have a look for it and upload it later on.

Cheers,
Brian

Thanks for the link and looking forward to your xpresso setup! :)

odo

[Horganovski]

Youre welcome, I dug that file out and made a quick video explaining how it works, I posted the links to the files on the Stormtracer forum here (http://st45.startlogic.com/%7Eperander/plugins/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6)

Hope it comes in useful for someone.

Cheers,
Brian

[ooo]

Youre welcome, I dug that file out and made a quick video explaining how it works, I posted the links to the files on the Stormtracer forum here (http://st45.startlogic.com/%7Eperander/plugins/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6)

Hope it comes in useful for someone.

Cheers,
Brian

Thanks for the file and the tutorial! Nice setup and probably usefull someday.
Tried to comment in TP-forum but the activation of my account is not working yet.

odo

[Horganovski]

Cool , you're welcome, glad it's useful.

Cheers,
Brian

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