Tank tracks - dynamics help

[gordonrobb]

Hi there.

I'm modelling a Caterpillar D9, and have just used relativity and morphs to make the tracks turn.


What I would like to do is add a little bounce on the top of the tracks, but can't for the life of me figure it out.

anyone got any ideas.

Just a minute, didn't realise I couldn't post an avi

[gordonrobb]

OK, I've added in a zip. Is that right I can't add an avi?

anyway, here is the shot.

[gordonrobb]

Anyone? :(

[walfridson]

Maybe a simple bone? :)

[gordonrobb]

Will that work if the whole track is moving with morphs? or will the bone move with the tracks.

[walfridson]

It would stay fixed, not move with the morph

[gordonrobb]

I shall give that a try tonight, and if it works give my self a good kick on the arse for my stupidity.

Thanks for the help.

[THREEL]

Could you go into a little more detail on how you set those tracks up, gordonrobb? I've been wanting to make a conveyor belt similar to that and I like how your tracks move.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

tHANX!

tHREEL, but you can call me Al.

[gordonrobb]

OK, feeling a little stupid that I didn't even try this.

It worked. I've made it subtle, and this is just a test object, but thanks.

Al, just google 'relativity tank tracks' and you'll find a tutorial that covers it. Should work ok for a conveyer although you may be better considering a moving texture. There's a tutorial somewhere to make an escalator. Try that maybe.

[walfridson]

Proton did a tutorial on it ftp://ftp.newtek.com/multimedia/movies/w3dw/tread.mov

[THREEL]

Okay, what am I doing wrong? :stumped: I'm doing the relativity tank tracks tutorial. I've gotten to the point of Rail Extruding the treads all the way around, but when I do, I get this message, "Source contour contained no edges. Only points were generated." I'm sure there's a simple explanation for it. As you can see by my smilie, I'm stumped.

AL

[gordonrobb]

All I can suggest is check, check and recheck that you are following the steps to the letter. Make sure that what you have created is a 'curve' not a polygon, make sure you create it the way the tutorial suggests. Make sure that your tread is centred on the start/end ponit of the curve. Make sure your curve is in the back ground layer when you do the rail clone. Should all work dandy.

[THREEL]

I got it figured out, Gordon. When, making the curve with 1-point polys, Rail Extrude needs to be used, but when cloning the tank tread around the curve, Rail Clone needs to be used. I was using Rail Extrude for the treads, too. Now, I need to make a Shortcut for Rail Clone. :D

tHANX for your help!

AL

[THREEL]

Next problem (sigh)?!

I can't find the Relativity_Morph plug-in that they tell you to use in the tutorial. I use :lwicon: ver. 8.5. I looked in my content CDs and couldn't find it there. I did a search and found the site, but the part for downloads seemed that it was being updated. Also, if it was supposed to come with my software, I don't want to have to pay for it again. Is there somewhere to get a free version of it?

tHANX!

AL

[gordonrobb]

Hmm. Not sure mate. It was there when I installed. I have 9.6, but I'm fairly sure it has been with LW for a while. Have you searched for it in Edit Plugins. You are looking in the tab under deform on the object properties in layout yes?

[THREEL]

Hmm. Not sure mate. It was there when I installed. I have 9.6, but I'm fairly sure it has been with LW for a while. Have you searched for it in Edit Plugins. You are looking in the tab under deform on the object properties in layout yes?

Yes on both accounts.

Still nothing with Relativity in the name.

[gordonrobb]

Try adding a new plugin, and look in the 'utility' folder in plugins. If it's not there, then I'm stumped, but as I said, I'm not sure what version of light wave it comes with.

[thekho]

Next problem (sigh)?!

I can't find the Relativity_Morph plug-in that they tell you to use in the tutorial. I use :lwicon: ver. 8.5. I looked in my content CDs and couldn't find it there. I did a search and found the site, but the part for downloads seemed that it was being updated. Also, if it was supposed to come with my software, I don't want to have to pay for it again. Is there somewhere to get a free version of it?

tHANX!

AL

No, it's not free! Relativity is built in Lightwave over 9 version! Not 8.5! If u want Relativity so u have to pay for upgrade 9 version!

[THREEL]

No, it's not free! Relativity is built in Lightwave over 9 version! Not 8.5! If u want Relativity so u have to pay for upgrade 9 version!

What I don't understand is, I have the tank tread tutorial that uses Relativity_Morph on one of my 8.5 content CDs, but, yet, they didn't put the Relativity_Morph plug-in on any of the content CDs.

Why would NewTek do that?

[THREEL]

Is it possible to fake the Relativity_Morph Plug-in with an expression (s)?

If so, how?

tHANX!

Al

[walfridson]

Why not check out protons tutorial. No relativity in that video.

[gordonrobb]

Is it possible to fake the Relativity_Morph Plug-in with an expression (s)?

If so, how?

tHANX!

Al

If you just use morph mixer, and tie the percentage morph into distance traveled (a lot easier if you're only moving on one axis), but yeh, have a look at proton's tute.

[thekho]

What I don't understand is, I have the tank tread tutorial that uses Relativity_Morph on one of my 8.5 content CDs, but, yet, they didn't put the Relativity_Morph plug-in on any of the content CDs.

Why would NewTek do that?

I've been checking this Third Party Bonus CD from LW8.5 today! Yeah, you are right that CD did have tutorial about Relativity but i don't know why newtek do put relativity tutorial into cd!

So, you can use it without relativity! That's what walfridson said about it - Check it out:- ftp://ftp.newtek.com/multimedia/movies/w3dw/tread.mov

Cheers!

[THREEL]

Why not check out protons tutorial. No relativity in that video.

I did that and even setup some tank treads with William's procedure.

The thing I liked about the issue of relativity was that you could have a null object control 2 sets of treads to the point of moving them in forward and reverse, or turn the treads to the left, or right, and the treads would react properly.

Is there a way to do this after setting up the treads using William's procedure?

tHANX!

Al

[gordonrobb]

You'd need to work out the expression that would calculate distance travelled by the nulls (regardles of what direction), I guess it could be done, but god knows what the expression would look like.

[Cageman]

I would suggest taking a look at Vehicle Rigger (http://walen.se/vehiclerigger/videos.html), as it automates the morphing (look at the tank-video). You still have to setup your treads correctly in Modeler, but once in Layout with VH, it's very simple and painless process.

EDIT: Darn...you are still on LW8.x, right? Well.. if so, VR will not work...

Time to upgrade maybe?

;)

[THREEL]

EDIT: Darn...you are still on LW8.x, right? Well.. if so, VR will not work...

Time to upgrade maybe?

;)

That's the story of my life! :D

No $$$ for the upgrade either...Darn!