Animating multiple objects falling down from 'the sky'

#1

Hi and thanks for looking,

I want to animate multiple (a lot, maybe around a thousand) cubes [simple cubes, no divisions, but beveled edges] falling down ( from off camera). When the falling of cubes stop, the camera moves up and tilts down to reveal a pattern: there is a space left between them in the middle, and that ‘negative’ space is the logo. I would like them fall down in groups, varying slightly in speed and time where the movement starts. How would I approach that? Does it have to be done ‘manually’?

Thank you for any suggestions : ) Tim

#2

Hi are you using Maya. If you are this might work… Try working it backwards using particles and a gravity field set to a minus figure. Arange your particles in the finished position. Use the gravity to ‘push’ them away. You can replace the particle with your cube object if it set as an ‘instance’. Render as a sequence, when you it together your video editor (eg. Premier) will let you run it backwards, so all your cubes should a pear from out of nowhere and land in the correct place. What will have the most effect is the way you use your camera or cameras… Hope this helps