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 29-05-2003 , 03:36 AM
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Instanced Particle Aim Direction

Hi, fellas, I have this little issue about instanced particles. I'm experimenting on making rain with particles, and I now have some instanced geometry on particles, pouring away. But when I apply a filed on it like turbulence, the instanced geometry points everywhich way, very unlike rain. Anyone know how to make the instanced geometry point in the direction it's travelling? I kow it was in a Gnomon video but I don't have in on hand right now.

Thanks in advance guys!

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# 2 29-05-2003 , 05:15 AM
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Well, in the Gnomon video that talked about RGBSpeed, it uses the same idea. ( sortof user added image )

But, are you applying the field to the whole particle shape node? ..or PerParticle?

Check this page in the docs for reference on aim vector:
file:///C:/Program Files/AliasWavefront/Maya4.5/docs/en_US/html/UserGuide/Dynamics/Particles43.html#191045

Basicly, in the Particle shape settings, here are a few attributes that you can play with to help you:

AimDirection:

Sets the orientation of the instanced objects by specifying the direction along which each instanced object points relative to the original position of its local origin. The default seting is None, which use the value of 1, 0, 0. See also RotationType.

Note that you can make an object point in the direction the particles are moving by selecting velocity. See Aiming instanced geometry for more information.

AimPosition:

Sets the orientation of the instanced objects by specifying the location where each instanced object points relative to the original position of its local origin. The default settins is None, which uses the value of 0, 0, 0. See RotationType for important details.

AimAxis:

Specifies the object axis that points directly at the AimDirection or AimPosition.

AimAxis is a vector attribute that works only with AimDirection and AimPosition rotation types. The default setting is None, which uses the value of 1, 0, 0.

AimUpAxis:

Specifies the object axis that points up (as much as possible) relative to how the AimAxis points at the AimDirection or AimPosition.

In this context, up is the direction the world up-axis points (see AimWorldUp). AimUpAxis is a vector attribute that works only with AimDirection and AimPosition rotation types. The default setting is None, which uses the value of 0, 1, 0.

For example, suppose the AimPosition is set to the origin of the workspace, and the world space Y-axis (0, 1, 0) is the AimWorldUp value. An instanced object's X-axis (1, 0, 0) is the AimAxis value, and the object's Y-axis (0, 1, 0) is the AimUpAxis value.

The object's X-axis points directly at the origin wherever the object moves in the workspace. The object is rolled around its X-axis as necessary to keep its Y-axis aiming up as much as possible. Up is defined by the AimWorldUp setting, which in this case is set to the world's Y-axis.

AimWorldUp:

Sets, in world coordinates, the axis that indicates the up direction used by the AimUpAxis. AimWorldUp is a vector attribute that works only with AimDirection and AimPosition rotation types. The default setting is None, which uses the value of 0, 1, 0. This attribute is unaffected by the setting for the World Coordinate System's Up Axis found in the Window > Settings/Preferences > Preferences > Settings window.

PS, why might I ask are you using instances for rain?

Are you going to need to see individual details of a given drop?
If so, cooluser added image

If not, might I suggest the typical rain solution using the simple streak(HW) particle type with, or without, multi-pass rendering?

Just FYIuser added image


Israel "Izzy" Long
Motion and Title Design for Broadcast-Film-DS
izzylong.com
# 3 29-05-2003 , 05:30 AM
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Thanks for the info, RageCGI. I'll play around with those settings. I recall Alex Alvarez using an expression though... Hmm...

Anyway, I'm playing around with instanced rain drops because I'm thinking of working on a scene where a volume spotlight sweeps an area at night in the rain. I can get highlights from the drops when the spotlight shines on them with this method, then you don't see the rest of the rain drops outside of the spotlight's beam.

I know I could composite HW into the rendered scene and mask out the drops I don't want, but I wanted to explore this avenue too. If you have any ideas, please let me know. I was also thinking of rendering a spotlight beam on its own just to use it as an alpha element in Combustion.

Thanks again!

user added image

# 4 29-05-2003 , 02:34 PM
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I would try it in post like you saiduser added image

Good luck! Sounds like you're on the right trackuser added image


Israel "Izzy" Long
Motion and Title Design for Broadcast-Film-DS
izzylong.com
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