HELP: Wind a curve around a cyclinder and then unwind it

#1

Hi all,

I’m posting in here because the solution I am after is specifically a Rigged one so this seemed the most appropriate place.

I am trying to figure out how I can rig a winch with a rope. Something like below…
http://ak6.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/2275634/preview/stock-footage-heavy-duty-crane-winch.jpg

I want to wind a curve around a cylinder and then likewise be able to unwind it out straight. I specifically want a Rigged solution so I have control of the curve shape as it gets unwound. I have been looking at all sorts of options but haven’t got anything that really works.

Can anyone suggest some some starting points or examples of where this may have already been done?

Many thanks for any help,
Nick.

#2

Off the top of my head, I’m picturing either an FK chain with constraints, or something with spline IK.

If the cable is always meant to be tight, each FK control could be aim-constrained at, say, the pulley or hitch. But you’d want to turn these constraints off one by one as the controls wrap around the winch.

A cheaper way would be to fake it - have one solid piece modeled and textured to look like cable wrapped around the winch, maybe with a blendshape that lets it expand and contract. The actual cable could be a separate piece rigged up with spline IK and stretching, but wouldn’t actually wrap around the winch.

#3

i’d use any kind of rigging on a curve (like a bend) and then extrude an object along it, keeping and animation the construction history

#4

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