I need help with this simple pendulum rig

[Anonymous]

Hello, I want to animate this simple pendulum but when I try to rotate it, I get this awkward broken movement, like on the second picture.

On the first picture are my rig shapes. 

I don't remember what I should parent with what and I think I'm missing a step or two. So can anyone tell me what I should link with what and in what order please?

[ads_royje · Accepted solution]

Hi,

it may depend on motion intentions for your animation.

For instance, if you want the rotations to occur inside the spheres, your rotation objects (circle shapes) should be inside the spheres.

Your hierarchy looks right, but the circle shapes should be inside the spheres I'd beleive.

I case of a pendula, the rotation point should be a the top, being the root of the hierarchy. All children will follow that rotation.

Hope that can help. 🙂

[leeminardi]

Here's another approach which lets you rotate the top sphere (#3) and all the other links rotate accordingly.

Link Sphere004 to cylinder001 which is linked to Sphere001 tp cylinder002, etc.  That is, link the bottom object to the object above it all the way up to the top object (Sphere003 in the max file)

Then add a Wire Parameter from the top sphere to the next sphere down that rotates it by some factor of the top sphere's rotation.  I used 1.3 about the y axis.  Add another wire parameter between the second sphere down and the next sphere down with same rotation factor of 1.3.

Rotating the top sphere about the y-axis causes the other liks to rotate accordingly.

~Lee

[Anonymous]

Thanks, now I got it! Taking the time to create and upload a .max scene was very nice of you!

[Anonymous]

Thank you sir!

[ads_royje]

Glad to know that helped you ! 🙂