PDA

View Full Version : Baking Spline Wrap?

Navstar
08-05-2008, 04:04 PM
I have an object travelling along a spline being deformed with MoGraph Spline Wrap (using offset to move the object along the spline).

I want to attach an external composite tag so I can attach an AfterEffects plug-in to the position of my object. But when I export an AfterEffects project, there aren't any keyframes. How can I bake the position of my deformed object into something AE can use?

I've tried attaching a null to the same spline wrap, but it doesn't move. I've tried baking the Spline Wrap keyframes in the timeline window, but I get the same empty result in After Effects.
51M0N
08-05-2008, 05:36 PM
I haven't really tried this, but if I'm not mistaken mograph has a cache tag. Have you tried caching it and then export into AE?
iTHiNK
08-05-2008, 06:26 PM
you could also just animate a null along the same spline to match your object position and attach an external compositing tag to the null instead.

-Chris
Navstar
08-05-2008, 06:55 PM
you could also just animate a null along the same spline to match your object position and attach an external compositing tag to the null instead.

-Chris

Hi Chris! Great idea. I'll use Align to Spline for the null and use the same Offset F-curve I'm using for the Spline Wrap.
Navstar
08-05-2008, 08:57 PM
Okay, that worked! BUT, even though the offset curves where the same, I still had to go in and manually adjust the null position along the spline at almost every frame to keep it in sync with the Spline Wrap object. Weird.
iTHiNK
08-05-2008, 09:50 PM
glad that helped... the difference in offset could just be due to your spline wrap settings.

I'd have to see the file to tell you exactly what's going on - anyhow - you've got it covered so rock and roll.

-Chris
51M0N
08-06-2008, 01:04 AM
Okay, that worked! BUT, even though the offset curves where the same, I still had to go in and manually adjust the null position along the spline at almost every frame to keep it in sync with the Spline Wrap object. Weird.

Maybe it happens because of the default align to spline interpolation.
Maybe this tutorial by base80 could help: http://www.base80.com/index.php/2007/01/29/align_to_spline_xpresso
Navstar
08-06-2008, 03:03 AM
Maybe it happens because of the default align to spline interpolation.
Maybe this tutorial by base80 could help: http://www.base80.com/index.php/2007/01/29/align_to_spline_xpresso

That's exactly what was happening! The start and end were in sync, but it went bananas in the middle. I'll have to remember this trick next time.
CGTalk Moderation
08-06-2008, 03:03 AM
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.