topic path deform assistance request in 3ds Max Forum

path deform assistance request

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 13:09:37 GMT

I am trying to make a helical path of pins configuration and I am having difficulty keeping the orientation of the pin perpendicular to the center of the drum.

Please take a look at these shots.

This is what i have now. https://gyazo.com/1003878608aea4738778fd88444b330f

This is the orientation i want only still follow the path https://gyazo.com/7a06fbbc87a89d00f11504e8872619a7

I have also tried follow path.

Thanks

Re: path deform assistance request

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 13:39:31 GMT

I ended up doing it by hand

https://gyazo.com/dd18a7b059ba4cf8545fe68daa8a382e

Re: path deform assistance request

Alfred.DeFlaminis — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 00:52:16 GMT

Hello @Anonymous,

Nice job! The helix does twist a bit as it goes vertically upwards, and I've had issues similar to yours in the past. I think the solution for me was to use the array tool, and I made a quick little video to illustrate this in case it helps for next time.

Best Regards,

Re: path deform assistance request

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 10:49:26 GMT

Thanks Alfred! Your second array method is what i used! But.... i forgot about using the 2nd axis! Wow sometimes it is so simple and staring me right in the face and i don't even see it. Thanks again

here is how it turned out in application.

https://gyazo.com/59fea916d46b904e2cbd7e321ce3df8a

https://gyazo.com/42de4a75e3a594cb8b6504bb9d335844

Re: path deform assistance request

leeminardi — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:54:24 GMT

Here's another approach. Use a link path constraint for positioning the pin along the helix but do not check the Follow box. Instead, add an Expression controller to control the rotation of the pin about its X axis.

If the original orientation of the pin is 1.5708 (pi/2) then the expression is as shown below where F is the system variable for frame number, and nFrames is a local variable for the number of frames to complete the motion. Of course this can be modified to adjust to the timing of the animation.

Lee

Re: path deform assistance request

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 18:49:43 GMT

Thanks Lee!

This is interesting. I have not worked at all with Expression controllers. I will have a look into it. Looks powerful!

Re: path deform assistance request

Alfred.DeFlaminis — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 19:38:19 GMT

Hello @Anonymous,

That's looking great! Thanks for sharing that, really cool. I love how many options we have for 3D, so many cool ways to solve problems.

@leeminardi,

Very cool too! That's a really fun and unique way to solve this issue. Much appreciated for sharing that!

Best Regards,