Cloner looping animation

[Dylanplsss]

Hello all, I'm trying to make a production factory looping animation where an object drops into the holder on a conveyor belt and then moves along with it. How would I go about setting it up? I attached a picture of my factory. Basically, the cloner holders will be moving along the conveyor belt spline then the taiyaki drops from the top machine then moves with the holder and then loop the animation. Thanks.

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi Dylanplsss,

Here is a simplified idea.

In short, the "taiyaki" doesn't come out of the machine; it is already in the Holder, but up and invisible. Then becomes visible and last will move into the Holder.

Please have a look here:
CV4_2025_drs_25_MGan_01.c4d

This works by defining three states. At the same time, blending those in the Cloner.

To trigger the change, go to Cloner > Clones > Blend, and then Plain Effector > Parameter > Modify Clone.

This moves the "taiyaki" as well, which can be adjusted (in the example the Sphere - taiyaki's proxy) is different in P.Z. So it feels like falling straight down.
This P.Z setting depends the hight from start to arival in the holder. I found it easy to adjust when a huge number of clones is created.

I have animated the process to showcase it:
CV4_2025_drs_25_MGan_02.c4d
On frame zero, change one of the four (yes, I changed the number to demo the workings more clearly) P.Z values to see how it change.

However, it avoids many minor details that would be necessary to synchronize such motions.

Enjoy your Weekend