object pivot lock

#1

I just downloaded the Modo 30 day trial and am playing around with it to see how it feels.

I have a question that I can’t seem to find the answer to in the manual, or buy monkeying around with the product.

Can I create a series of objects, like the segments of the leg of a bug, and assign a permanent pivot point to a specific point on each object?

A pivot on the upper leg segment (shoulder), a pivot at the upper end of the lower leg (elbow) another at the end of the next segment (ankle) etc?

And if this can be done, will it still behave in a hierarchal manner, when I rotate the upper arm the other parts follow, in the manner that other applications have bones and bone hierarchies?

I hope I am making sense.

I have been looking for a 3D modeler I like, and can’t quite seem to find one I completely like.

I have used 3D Max 3.5, Animation Master, Lightwave 8, Blender, Zbrush and Silo.

Of those I like Silo the best, but it doesn’t do the things listed above, and does not seem to have all the tools of Modo, from what I remember. The other applications do, I just don’t like using them.

I was hoping Modo would be Silo with the capabilities of LW8, but I might be too dense to find the answer.

Modo is in my price range, while some of the others (Max, Maya) are a little to steep for my 3D hobby, but may be affordable soon, or another application that has the interface feel I like with Silo and Modo, that I just don’t know about

I did a search, but many of the post where 3 years old and didn’t seem to apply to what i was asking, or might have referred to an older version.

Sorry if this was answered somewhere and I missed it.

Thank you for any help.

#2

In the current version of modo (203), there isn’t a good way to do it. A workaround would be moving the geometry (in one of the components) and therefore could use the item center (at the origin unless you’ve moved it) as the pivot, and use item parenting. If you want a more clear explanation, tell me and I’ll write up a tutorial.

However, in the next version of modo, 301, all items do have a permanent pivot point seperate from the item center (since it’s basically essential for animating).

#3

Thanks for the reply.

I appreciate the offer of a work-around, but if they are addressing this issue with release 301 I can wait while I evaluate all the other applications that already have this feature.

From what I have seen from using the demo, I want to go with Modo, but I really need this feature.

thanks again.

#4

Err, no, I am sorry, 203 does in fact have pivots! If you use action center>pivot, it will base all your tools around the item’s pivot point. You can use the set pivot tool under the modo tools>basic menu to move the pivot around. And you could do some item list heirarchies for the parenting.

#5

Thanks for the follow up, I will try that when I get the chance.

I have already ordered another application, but will probably still order Modo if i can get the pivot to work. I admit i didn’t re-visit Modo after your first reply, but hope to soon.

Whats another few hundred for Modo after 3k for a new PC and $500 for another application. ^^

Heck I would feel weird having only one modeling app on a new PC :slight_smile:

I just noticed my inital posts is black text. sorry about that, it was not intentional, and thanks for taking the time to read and answer the mess.

#6

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