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shunter
08-28-2008, 06:24 PM
Hello;

I am in the process of trying to use point constraints and locators. I have created 5 objects.
Above and to the center I have created a single locator attached to another object that acts as a crane. Each object on the ground also has a locator attached to it. I have added a point constraint to each object on the ground including one to the crane up above. I am using Maya 8.5. My problem is that I am unable to keyframe these objects. When I put a keyframe at 1 and move to 20 to move the crane down to the object and attach it via the constraint then keyframe the object to the crane, instead of the object attaching itself to the Crane at 20, the object is already moving itself towards the crane from frame 1. Even if I add an extra key in front of the keyframe added as the pick up it will not work. In other words the object is not sticking to the ground. I also work in 3d Max and all I would have to do is attach and release a set planted key. Pleeease help. I really want to learn this.

Thanks, Suzanne Hunter
JayG
08-29-2008, 06:39 AM
I'm having a little trouble visualizing your setup, but I think I know what's up.

The trouble with a point constraint is that you can't switch it on or off, it will always be on and therefore always follow the object it's constrained to.

A simple setup would be to create a locator and parent the ground object to the locator. (So that when you move the locator the object will follow, but you can still grab the object by itself and key that on it's own without it effecting the locator's position.)

Select your craneObject (or locator_craneObject, however you have it setup), then select the locator of the object on the ground. Uunder constraints, choose, "Parent Constrait". In the options, turn on "Maintain Offset" and make sure rotate, translate, and scale are all checked on, (default settings).

Now when you move your crane, the locator (and object its constrained to) will move.

To switch it off, select the locator of the object on the ground, in the channel box you'll see a channel called: (objectName) 1W0, and it will have a value of 1. Change it to 0 and the object will no longer be constrained. You can key this on or off to have your crane pick up different objects.

Give that a try, good luck!
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