Cloth Cache Problem [I HATE MAYA!!]

[DesignDawg]

As per your last question: No, there isn't.

As for your cloth problem: Bakecloth can be tricky. I had to use it to save my butt on a commercial I did last month....

When you are trying to bake your cloth, be sure to be selecting the cloth shape, not the node it's under. In other words, if you are just clicking the cloth in your vieport that you want to bake, it probably won't work. Go into your outline, make sure you are showing shapes (under display, put a check by "shapes"), and click the plus sign by the object you want to bake. The cloth object will be under it. If you are already doing it this way, maybe I can still help you. Don't give up on it. The bake script is VERY nice, and I have a feeling it will be a permanent addition here.

Ricky

[CGIExpert]

DesignDawg
Thank you very much for taking the time out to help me.
:beer:

”As per your last question: No, there isn't.”
So you believe Maya is the ultimate shiznit? That’s good to hear someone say that. It does have a lot of nice features and tools. Especially Maya 5. Everything is in one package now, including MentalRay and FinalGather. The PaintFX are amazing to. Very good program. Its just extremely frustrating to figure out.

” In other words, if you are just clicking the cloth in your vieport that you want to bake, it probably won't work.”
That’s what I’ve been doing. [whoops] :annoyed:

” Don't give up on it. The bake script is VERY nice, and I have a feeling it will be a permanent addition here.”
Excellent! Thank you for the encouragement and the help!
:applause:

[CGIExpert]

DesignDawg,
I'm sorry it’s taken me so long to give you an update on my progress. I decided to take a moment out to hammer out some keyframes since I only have 13 more days to complete the animation.


When I open my scene, I get this message:
Warning: Cloth cannot solve because run-up is not supported: rewind to first frame and ensure increment between frames is one (check playback preferences or render frame increment).


(D@mn it!! For the amount of money Maya 5 costs, I should be able to do whatever the fu## I want to do with it!! ROAR!!)


I tried baking the cloth using the method you explained, and it is still not working right.

I took the following steps:
1) I opened my scene.
2) I loaded the cache into the cpSolver
3) I went to the Outliner and selected my cloth object(s)
4) I clicked the bakeCloth button that I made from the bakeCloth script
5) I saved the scene
6) I closed the scene
7) I reopened the scene
8) I pressed play
9) I kicked a hole in my wall [still didn’t work]


And are you sure Softimage is not a better program? Can it do cloth? After I finish my short film, I don't think I want to return to Maya. It’s been pi$$ing me off too much.


Take Care,
Tony S.

[playmesumch00ns]

How long have you been using Maya for?

Not sure what's going on with your second problem, I've never had any troubles like that, it should just work without the need to specifically load the cache. Have you set up your project and everything correctly?

As for your first problem, you need to give the cloth simulation a bit of run up to let it settle. This is ALL explained in the Maya docs.

JUST HIT F1

That aside, just set the time slider to frame -20 or something then play forwards to frame 0 (make sure you set playback to "Play every frame")

[CGIExpert]

playmesumch00ns,
”How long have you been using Maya for?”
I’ve been using Maya on and off for about a year now. I’ve been doing computer animation for about 9 years [since I was 13 – I started with 3D Studio]. I’m very new to doing clothing through, and working with cache files.

”Have you set up your project and everything correctly?”
I’m not sure. I did change some path settings so that my files could be saved to my larger hard drive. Could this have messed something up?

” As for your first problem, you need to give the cloth simulation a bit of run up to let it settle. This is ALL explained in the Maya docs.”
I’ve read those bloody docs so many times already. I guess I’ll just have to read them again.

” That aside, just set the time slider to frame -20 or something then play forwards to frame 0 (make sure you set playback to "Play every frame")”
I will do that. Thank you very much for the help. I sincerely appreciate it.

[bentllama]

If Maya is so frustrating for you to figure out...then why is your handle "CGIExpert"? ;)

[CGIExpert]

Originally posted by bentllama
If Maya is so frustrating for you to figure out...then why is your handle "CGIExpert"? ;)
Because, once upon a time I was a really nice graphics artist and animator, back when I was using 3D Studio. Now, since I've converted to Maya, I have to start all over. I have to learn the ways of a new kind of force, Luke. :annoyed:

[CGIExpert]

WOO HOO -- PROBLEM FIXED!!!
I'll post a tutorial here explaining how I did it after I finish my film.

Thank you DesignDawg!
Thank you playmesumch00ns!
Thank you for the help!

:applause: :beer: :applause:

[bentllama]

glad you fixed the problem.

keep us posted on that film.

[CGIExpert]

Dang it..... My work-around for my Maya Cloth problem really sucks.

This is what I have to do before I render:
1) I open my scene file
2) Simulate the cloth on to the character
3) Click play so cloth can sync with animation
4) Batch Render

It may not be the most efficient solution, but it will have to do for now. At least I can finish my short film on time.

[CGIExpert]

Originally posted by bentllama
glad you fixed the problem.
keep us posted on that film.
Thank you.
And will do.

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