SHAPE

AnimatedBumpMap

 

The Shape->AnimatedBumpMap command in the Motion module lets you specify a sequence of image files to be used to deform the surface of an object on a frame-by-frame basis. This command is the animated version of the Deformation->BumpMap command in the Model module.

 

Procedure

The AnimatedBumpMap effect requires a SOFTIMAGE 3D model and a sequence of SOFTIMAGE 3D pictures (.pic files) which are loaded from the AnimatedBumpMap dialogue box.

Tip:

Put the picture files in a directory with a path name that is easy to remember and less than 40 characters long. Choose the Picture menu cell in the Tools module to view your picture before choosing this effect.

  1. Choose the Shape->AnimatedBumpMap command.

    The AnimatedBumpMap dialogue box is displayed.

  2. In the Picture file root text box, enter the name or full path name shared by the picture files to be used in the deformation, or select the file root from the browser (click the Browser button).

    Note:

    You must remove the .pic extension and the numeric extension (plus the period preceding it) from the picture file name in the Picture file root text box.

  3. Set the remaining parameters as desired, and then click Ok.
  4. Select the model you want to deform. The model is deformed.

 

Parameters

The Animated Bumpmap dialogue box contains the same parameters as Deformation->BumpMap, with the exception of the following parameters:

 

Starting Index

The frame of the sequence at which to start.

Step

The frame step for the sequence.

Start Frame

The frame at which to start the effect.

End Frame

The last frame on which to apply the effect.

Frames Per Second

For the motion timing to be correct, this option must be set to the same frame rate being used in SOFTIMAGE 3D, usually 30.0 or 24.0 frames per second.

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 can only be accessed 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