24.11.2009 more camera actions and project diskussion

Camera Animation

We worked with cameras and path constraints.
To attach a camera to any shape (line based object)
1. select the camera
2. click on
ANIMATION | CONSTRAINTS | Path CONSTRAINTS

To change the behaviour of the camera one can
1. edit the path or
2. the position of the camera by changing the percent value

Project discussion

Adrianus Obers joined us to find out the best way of starting our project.
We discussed two options of possible projects:

a) Creating a funny or useful machine for the exhibition of Salomon de Caus
This project had been realized last semester and was a great sucess. The results can be watched here: www.salomondecaus.de
For the project an adaption of the ideas and concept of de Caus to modern times has to be realized.

Pro: No Contstraints, concept well known, combination of design (A. Obers) and Visualization, schedule possible in time, experience based on last semester's work

Cons: Extra project, focus on animation - which hasn't been part of our lessons yet.
special focus on machines not only industrial design.

b) Integration of visualization in regular project work
The visualization process is part of the whole projects which is then build on design (Pen work), scenario definition, CAD (Alias Studio) and vis (Max). Before we start, we have to ask Prof. Gerhard? - Ad - could you check this out? if he is willing to cooperate.

Pro: Great chance for a large project including all parts of the design process, focus on data import from Alias Studio, modeling, lighting and cameras

Cons: more concept work for the details, data import from Alias Studio, tensed schedule, parallel work required.

Please decide which option you will choose and discuss it with Ad Obers friday, 26th of november.
Ad will inform me via email...

RM

17.11.2009 Cameras in 3ds Max

There are two different types of cameras in 3ds max:
1. Target Camera
2. Free Camera

The free camera behaves similar to a real camera.
The target camera has a built-in look at controller - the camera target.

We have tested the behaviour of the two types and learned how to change the camera parameters.

RM

10.11.2009 more materials

Materials

we worked on more material types in 3ds max. those were compound materials like:
- blend material
- multi-sub/object material
you were introduced to the basics of the material editor and how to use the different map channels.
the most impottant map channels were:
- diffuse
- reflection
- opacity (transparency)
- bump

rm

3.11.2009 Import and Materials

Import IGES from Alias Studio
Using the sample vacumer from Prof. Striepe we focused on tesselation, data errors and normals.
Working with the imported IGES file you learned how to change the resolution an the the mesh density. This process of changing density with triangulation methods is called tesselation.

Materials in 3ds Max
The standard material was introduced.
we worked on the material basics like
material type, shader and the different properties like diffuse color, ambient color, map channel, opacity and so on.

download the script and the sample files ->