Rigging a chair and want the casters/wheels to follow

#1

Im rigging a chair with casters for an animation. (3D max)

Now, I could animate my chair and then hand animate the casters after Im done. However, I was curious if there is a way to create a system that allows me to move the chair on X or Y axis and rotate on X axis and have the casters follow the chair and change direction like they would naturally.

Ive messed with wire parameters and look at constraints briefly but Im not having very much luck. It seems like there would be a lot of math involved. Anyone have any suggestions or scripts?

Thanks

#2

have you tried usint a float or script expression?

something like :
X axis = moving foward
Y axis = moving sideways
ypos= Y position track of the chair or master or whatever is driving the movement
if Ypos > 0 then rotate to face the right axis else 0

or


if pos > 0 then ( 
if Rotation < 90 degree /* we want them to stop at 90degree*/ then rotate else 0 )

or something like that…
you could also use look at to drive a target rather than rotating

good luck

#3

Thanks man… Im not very familiar with writing scripts or how to go about that. I do use constraints and wire parameters often though… Thanks for your reply. I guess ill have to read up on scripting.

#4

its not much about scripting but more about float expression or float script

#5

search for a bank control on Ik feet tutorial should help you

#6

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