Help creating chains and rope

[loked]

To answer your first question. There are several ways to do this, but I'll suggest the ones that I would go with.

1.You can setup a series of joints and then have an IKspline with clusters that will control it. This way you have exact control over exactly how your chain will behave.

2. You can use the wire deformer and setup clusters on the CV's of the curve. This is basically a very similar concept to the first method.

3. You could use some kind of dynamics, like a cloth solver and then have that drive the chain, but this method is simulated and so you will have less control.

That's basically all I can think of, if anyone else has any other techniques feel free to share :thumbsup:

To answer your question about Jason's DVDs. There are basically 2 of them and they are in my opinion the best thing since the mouse! They are honestly really awesome. The creature rigging one has a whole lot of advanced rigging techniques and some nice scripts that come with it. The fast animation rig, is more focused on setting up a nice quick rig and also has a section on animating and how you should go about it. It also has some really cool scripts. There is obviously a lot more to both of them, I would definitely recommend both of them. I must however say that they are a little advanced, so if you are a complete beginner first come to grips with basic rigging and then get these DVD's. But, definitely get them if you are serious about rigging!! You can go read up more about them on the Alias|Wavefront website. Just go to the store and it's under learning tools.

Later:wavey:
loked

[Bri_Spencer]

Thanks a lot Loked. I appreciate the help. I looked at the DVDs , and they are damn expensive but from what I hear they are worth the money. I have the whole gnomon collection and I learned a LOT from them. I still want the "Jason set" though. The more the merrier. Thanks again, you helped a lot.:thumbsup:

[Kabab]

Cloth is a great way to do this its very fast and you get great swinging movement.

Create your cloth object to represent how you want your chain to sit.

Then attach the chain links to the cloth as buttons and away you go !

[Bri_Spencer]

Thanks kabob, but I have never used cloth before. Thanks for the advice anyway. Ill try to research cloth and maybe your idea will help me more. Thanks again.:thumbsup:

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