Animating a backdrop being knocked over/falling down

#1

I have what for me is a tricky task - I need to create an animation of a cloth backdrop on supports being knocked over and falling down. I’m not sure where to start - dynamics are not something I have much experience in . Would I model some stands and poles and apply rigid body dynamics, and use cloth dynamics for the backdrop? How would I knock it over? Anyone start me in the right direction or recommend a tutorial?

#2

There’s a cloth sim in the content browser that should get you started.

I’m thinking of the clothes line example which has cloth and dynamics IIRC.

#3

OK got something happening, I’ve created two upright poles, a top backdrop pole and a backdrop, which I’ve attached using a cloth belt. It sort of works how I want it to, but there’re a couple of problems I can’t work out.

The backdrop is moving away from the backdrop pole creating a gap when the simulation runs, and I want one end of the backdrop pole to drop before the other.

Can anyone take a look at my file and suggest fixes?

BackdropFall.c4d (1.4 MB)

#4

How do I make one end of my top bar ‘heavier’ than the other end, so it falls at an angle?

#5

You need to go to the Dynamics tag, then in Attributes Manager go to Mass tab and tick Custom Center and alter then X, Y & Z properties (this will depend on your model as to which you’ll need to change) to effectively shift the center of gravity.

I found this old tutorial that explains it:

#6

Thanks, I actually got a result I like by setting a custom initial velocity in the Dynamics tab. Now my last problem is the backdrop that is belted to the top bar is separating from the bar when it falls, the bar seems to ‘get away’ from the backdrop - how can I fix this?

#7

Cloth dynamics has always been a bit wonky for me …
but, using some unorthodox workflow options … like
changing mass area by simply moving the axis point
will result in many variations. Small movements will
affect the sim drastically. Another is adding wind to
the mix.

#8

Thanks vid, though I can’t see any difference in your file from mine? The banner still separates from the pole as it falls.