EFFECTS

Glue

 

The Effects->Glue command in the Motion module allows you to "glue" the tagged points of one object to the tagged points of another "surface" object. You can apply the Glue effect to polygon meshes, patches, NURBS surfaces, or curves.

The Effects->HrcGlue command in the Motion module lets you glue tagged points of one object to the tagged points of another surface hierarchy.

Glue is a motion effect, so either of the models can be animated, and the glued portions stick together. Falloff parameters enable the effect to be applied smoothly to nearby points.

 

Procedure

  1. Create two objects and tag some points on each one. The same number of points must be tagged on each object.
  2. Position the objects as desired.

    Glue locks the tagged points of one object to the closest tagged points of the object designated as the surface.

  3. Choose the Effects->Glue command in the Motion module. The Glue dialogue box is displayed.
  4. Set the parameters as desired.
  5. Pick the glue surface object, then pick the object to be glued.

The effect icon and GlueData null appear indicating that the effect is active.

Note:

The null object labelled "GlueData" contains essential information for the Glue effect, and should not be deleted (but it can be moved).
As with all motion effects, the icon can be animated and the parameters set can be further edited or animated by selecting the icon and choosing Effects->Edit Parameters in the Motion module.

 

Parameters

 

Falloff Start and End

Allows you to define a falloff area where the glue effect is gradually reduced. Points on the model that are closer to the tagged points than the Falloff Start are affected proportionately, and points of the model outside of the falloff area are not affected at all. Between the Falloff Start and End, there is a gradual diminishing of the effect.

Overall Damping

Allows you to set the relative magnitude, or strength, of the glue surface's effect on the tagged points of the model. The values range from 0 to 1. A value of 1 locks each tagged point of the model to the nearest tagged point of the glue surface.

As usual, the models may be animated, and the parameters may be further edited or animated by selecting the icon and choosing Effects->Edit Parameters in the Motion module.

Note:

The null object labelled "GlueData" holds some essential information for the Glue effect. It should not be deleted, but it can be moved without affecting the results.

Next, Previous, Delete, Key, and Frame

For the animated effects, Next advances to the next keyframe, Previous goes back to the previous keyframe, Delete removes a keyframe, and Key sets a keyframe at the frame you specify in the Frame text box. These controls are available only after you have set the initial parameters in the dialogue box and clicked Ok. To return to the dialogue box and edit keyframes for the effect, select the effect icon and choose the Effects->Edit Parameters command in the Motion module.

 

Last updated 02-apr-1998