Introduction to Maya - Modeling Fundamentals Vol 1
This course will look at the fundamentals of modeling in Maya with an emphasis on creating good topology. We'll look at what makes a good model in Maya and why objects are modeled in the way they are.
# 1 02-04-2012 , 12:30 PM
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Wheel animation

So, I have a wheel and a course which I want it to follow. I've tried using paths and expressions but it seems they don't work together. Any ideas how to do this?

# 2 02-04-2012 , 06:48 PM
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Your question is extremely vague. Show us what you want, and what you have, and then we can help you.


Imagination is more important than knowledge.
# 3 04-04-2012 , 09:08 AM
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Sorry for the late response.

I've attached a screenshot. The path is there to show how the wheel should behave.

Attached Thumbnails
# 4 04-04-2012 , 04:28 PM
Events Team at Wargaming.net
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can you do a playblast so we can see whats not acting right?

# 5 04-04-2012 , 07:21 PM
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I believe the best option is for you to make an animation for the wheel to go 360ยบ around its axis (and maybe put Post-Infinity Cycle[in the graph editor]), and then animate her along the curve. For this, select the Wheel and pressing C and dragging with MMB so it will snap to the curve, and put it at the begining of the curve, then select the wheel and then the curve, (by this order, 1st wheel 2nd curve) and go to the menu Animate -> Attach to Motion Path, and open the options for it, you will need to define the up and front axis in order to the wheel go correctly.
I have to go now, but if you can do this way I believe it will work for what you want.

# 6 06-04-2012 , 11:55 AM
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I was afraid i have to animate it myself.

First of all I when I press C and MMB nothing happens (I've had numerous problems with Maya - mental ray not visible, I lost my work in 3d space etc). And for example, an animation that I did a couple of weeks ago isn't working anymore today (when I tried to apply the same effect but to another project).

@ Ozgalis: Nothing happens. I just get errors in the lower right corner.

edit: and sorry again for the late response. the fact that easy things aren't working is making me lose interest and confidence.

# 7 08-04-2012 , 10:38 PM
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then just use the move tool, and then C to snap on curve, and put the wheel at the start of the curve, you will notice when you get it cause it will not let you get the wheel off the curve, then use the attach to motion path.

# 8 09-04-2012 , 12:18 PM
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Key frame it from A to Z. Probably less farting about than attaching to the motion path, which can produce undesirable results sometimes.

For the rotation of the wheel, key the rotation at 360degrees, btween frames 1 and 8 and then select the animation curve for the rotation and do a post infinity cycle offset. You could then adjust the speed x the rotaton with a small expression

should work

Jay

# 9 09-04-2012 , 07:09 PM
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Thanks. I will try this tomorrow.

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