Select () Obstacle

The Collisions->Select ( ) Obstacle command in the Actor module allows you to assign obstacles to the selected object. Since a dynamic simulation continuously calculates the position of an object while checking for collisions, using a bounding box shape saves time while maintaining a high degree of precision.

For more information on collisions, see the Creating Obstacles for Collisions section of the Animating User's Guide.

Bsphere

Defines the obstacle as a bounding sphere.

Bplane

Defines the obstacle as a bounding plane.

Bbox

Defines the obstacle as a bounding box.

Tip:

All elements in a hierarchy can be selected as obstacles by selecting the parent.

You can assign obstacles to a chain by selecting the chain root.

Procedure

1. Select an object.
2. Assign physical properties (Dynamics->Physical Properties command) and click Ok.
3. Choose the Collisions->Select ( ) Obstacle command of your choice.
4. Pick the object to be used as the obstacle (you can select using either the Single or Multi menu cells).
5. To view the results of your collision settings, choose the Simulate->Save Start/End command, then the Simulate->Simulate (automatic) command.

Note:

When you start the simulation, it begins from the current frame (where the time line pointer is positioned). If you interrupt the simulation before it reaches the last frame, the frame at which you interrupted the simulation becomes the end frame.

Last updated 03-apr-1998