Inquiry About Smoother Conveyor Belt Animation Using Cloner Offset
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Dear Dr. Sassi,
I hope this message finds you well.
I'm currently working on creating a conveyor belt animation using the offset function of the Cloner. I’ve done my best to minimize the gaps between the plates, but I’m still encountering visible spacing at the turning points of the belt.
Would you happen to know if there’s a better method to achieve a smoother result?
Any suggestions you could provide would be greatly appreciated.C4D file: https://we.tl/t-eaMsLD1aOB
Thank you very much, and I look forward to your reply.
Best regards,
Gloria -
Hi Gloria,
Thanks for the file and for using Wetransfer, very much appreciated.
Looking at the elements, it seems like they work like a bicycle chain and not like plates.
Plates have the problem that they move their start and end of themself on a curved spline differently than on a straight one – as the "bow" or arc is always longer than the straight line. Meaning they move away or into each other.
Which made me exclude several options, as they would require a lot of simulation.To take the Plates Apart and create a single element seemed a possible way, but even then, the curves vs straight might be an obstacle.
The Plates had the Axis not where the rotation point would be, and the Spline that is supposed to drive them was not clean.I have outlined the Spline and smoothed, as a Conveyer belt would have, as sharp "corners" created mechanical forces, that would wear down the whole thing. A copy of the new Spline (moved in X) is used as a Rail.
My suggestion:
https://projectfiles.maxon.net/Cineversity_Forum_Support/2025_PROJECTS_DRS/20250722_CV4_2025_drs_25_ANcb_01.c4d.zipI have calculated the Spline and the Plate axis to Axis, then set up a Spline Wrap.
Inside the Spline Wrap, I have animated the Offset. The Keyframe is set to linear.Place the content into your scene so it connects the material sources.
My best wishes for your project.
