Robot rig maths help - expressions?

[stevecullum]

I'm trying to set up an elegant control system for this robot arm. Currently I have two controls, one for up, down, left and right, second for pivot rotations.

What ideally I would like is to tie the pivot in with the up and down movement so it rotates as shown in the diagram. If there was also a way to retain some independance for the other controls, that would be ideal. So I was thinking I need a 3rd control with some expressions attached or something :stumped:

If anyone can help with the math required, that would be great!

[kruemel_1]

Use the cycler (channel modifier - graph editor). First animate the roation of the arm, and then link the animation of the rotation to the y value of your controler.

[stevecullum]

Thanks for the suggestion. I still couldn't get quite the level of control I was after, so I'm creating a slider for that part of the problem and will keyframe after the rest of the animation is done.

Cheers anyway!

[mattbolton]

If I understand what you are trying to do, the easiest would be to use IK Boost.
The most recent 3 videos at this website (http://ikboost.com/?cat=1) should give you lots of ideas.

[stevecullum]

I did consider IK boost as an option, but my lack of understanding of this plugin would have created more problems. (Although I am meaning to get into IKB more)

I returned to cycler after all I got some good settings which is working great!
:thumbsup:

[gjjackson]

I was thinking there's a sample of just that in the Content directory. I don't remember what it was called though and couldn't find it.

[Sarford]

I was thinking there's a sample of just that in the Content directory. I don't remember what it was called though and couldn't find it.

ROFLMAO. Great post man :thumbsup:

Not trying to belittle you, I realy thought it was a verry funny post!