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
25-07-2004
, 02:23 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 50
basic MEL help please
I want to create the effect of sheet lightning, by randomising the intensity of a point light.
I can get this to happen, but i need it so that i can vary the time between flashes, like i need an avg random 30 frames between changes.
i came up with this, having not much programming or MEL experience,
//setup values
int $mycount;
$mycount = rand(20,30);
int $i;
//loop for 380 frames
for ($i=1; $i <380; $i++) {
//check random value against frame value
if (frame == $mycount) {
//change light intensity
pointLightShape1.intensity = rand(0,1);
//increase random value to progress
$mycount += $mycount;
}
}
and now I'm stuck. can anyone point out where i went wrong?
it only changes the intensity once. and then not even everytime i play it through.
or perhaps a less round about way of doing it?
thanks!!
Adam.
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2
25-07-2004
, 05:24 PM
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Location: MELville
Posts: 1,100
-Emo
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3
26-07-2004
, 02:05 AM
Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 50
and approximately every 30 frames. I wanted to randomise the time between flashes. so approx 30 frames, say a random interval between 10 and 40.
#
4
26-07-2004
, 08:52 AM
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2002
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 2,800
right click the intensity in the channel box and add this:
if(frame % 30 == 0)
{
pointLightShape1.intensity = rand(0,5);
}
What you are doing is using the modulus function (%) to check if the frame divides equally by thirty and then setting the intensity by expression.
Simple
Alan
#
5
26-07-2004
, 11:18 AM
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Location: Australia
Posts: 50
i was at a bit of a loss how to do the time delay properly.
that would only make it exactly 30 frames though?
i want it to be more random than that.
like lightning
a couple of quick flashes, a pause, flash, pause, some more quick, or whatever.
#
6
26-07-2004
, 12:37 PM
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Location: London, UK
Posts: 2,800
int $frameChange = rand(10, 40);
if(frame % $frameChange == 0)
{
pointLightShape1.intensity = rand(0,5);
}
Alan
#
7
27-07-2004
, 12:21 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 50
that random function should work a treat,
thanks for that Alan.
I really appreciate the effort you make helping out me and other newbies.
this is what i ended up with, if anyone was interested in how it ended up working.
//setup values
int $mynumber;
int $i;
//loop for 380 frames
for ($i=1; $i <380; $i++) {
$mynumber = rand(50,80);
if (frame % $mynumber == 0) {
pointLightShape1.intensity = rand(0,1);
//increase random value to progress
$mynumber += $mynumber;
}
}
Last edited by Binabik; 27-07-2004 at 12:38 AM.
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