Pick 'System Shape'

The Meta-Clay->Pick 'System Shape' command in the Model module allows you to assign the shape of a source meta-clay system to a target meta-clay system. To accomplish this, it temporarily copies the Scale, Rotation, and Translation (transformation) values to the target.

Note:

This command copies the relative position and scaling of individual elements in the source meta-clay system to individual elements in the target meta-clay system, but it does not copy the transformations of the entire source system.

Creating a Metamorphosis

Use the Meta-Clay->Pick 'System Shape' and Meta-Clay->Save 'System Shape' commands together to create a metamorphosis between two shapes. Start with one target meta-clay system which will be animated and one or more source meta-clay systems whose shape you wish to save to the target system at each desired key frame.

Procedure

1. Save all source system shapes using the Meta-Clay->Save 'System Shape' command.
2. Select the target system shape (the one you wish to modify).
3. Choose the Meta-Clay->Pick 'System Shape' command.
4. Pick a source system shape.

• Left-click to pick the source system shape, which temporarily copies the shape of the source system to the target system.
• Middle-click on the source system to display the Metamorphosis dialogue box.

5. You can associate the elements you want from the source system to the appropriate element in the target system:

• Click on an element in the Target System scroll box to select it.
• Double-click on an element in the Source System scroll box to associate it to the selected target element.
• If you make a mistake, click Dissociate to remove a link or Clear to remove all links.
• To create links automatically, based on relative proximity of source and target elements, click Automatic.
• To create links randomly, click Random.

6. Choose the Meta-Clay->Save 'System Shape' command to save your choices from the previous step.
7. Move to another frame and repeat these steps so that your system blends from one shape to another over time.
8. Play your animation to view the results.

For an example of creating a metamorphosis, see the Example of a Metamorphosis section of the Modelling User's Guide.

Parameters

Target System

Shows the target system name and the number of elements it contains. Each element is listed in the scroll box along with any source elements linked for metamorphosis.

Source System

Shows the source system name and the number of elements it contains. Each element is listed in the scroll box.

Dissociate

Disassociates the link.

Clear

Removes all links.

Automatic

Matches source and target elements based on their proximity and transfers parameters from one to the other accordingly.

Random

Sets links randomly.

Pick

Allows you to pick the source element whose parameters are temporarily copied to the selected target element. The dialogue box is temporarily hidden when this parameter is selected.

Last updated 02-apr-1998