Mograph velocity/vector effector

[Barend]

Hi,

So I'm trying to have a flock of objects semi-randomly hover around.

I used a random effector to add the random position movement.

However to make this movement look a bit more 'intentional' I want to have the objects 'lean into' the movement. Meaning they would tilt along the motion vector.

I've done this in the past by hacking together xpresso but I was trying to see if I could do it with mograph.

I noticed the 'track' field and saw the car example by RocketLasso (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Oq4Xnc-AU) - however this only works with keyframed animation and I'm trying to work with procedural animation.

In the past there seems to have been a free plugin "Velocity Effector" but it's discontinued. I also found a reference to a Python Effector but that seems to have broken with recent versions of C4D.

So is it possible to take the motion vector from procedural mograph animation and feed it into another parameter, and how would you go about it?

The next challenge would be to make the objects 'lean into' the movement before starting the movement. I was thinking about a negative delay field but it seems the delay field won't go into negative values.

Best,

Barend

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi Barend,

Please have a look here:

CV4_2024_drs_24_BUmg_01.c4d
Yes, it's the old bullet system, but perhaps it's the one that works for your ideas.

As a side note, sometimes it helps to convert the Python code from v2 to v3.
I have no suggestion which one is safe to use, as things might change, but there are a few on the web where you can update the code.
Since I do not support Python here, the Maxon Developer Café might be the best place to check.
Of course, my first idea would be to ask the plug-in Developer to update it.

A Simulate> Forces> Friction with Angular strength might help to fine-tune this.

All the best

[Barend]

Hi Dr. Sassi,

Re: Python scripts, the references I found had expired domain names etc. but I did send some emails out with no replies as of yet.

However - your example file is very interesting - I had thought about using dynamics for this but had held off until now, but it might work. It's a little less direct to control, but at the same time has the potential of adding a lot of detail to the movement which might make the trade-off worth it.

So thanks!

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi Barend,

Yes, that is my idea about Dynamics/Simulations as well; it is a little bit more tricky to art-direct individual items.

Going by your posts, you might know all of that, but since I write in a forum, please let me add this:

You can use the Force inside the Riged Body tag or just use Force> Friction and perhaps fine-tune it locally with Fields.

I'm sure you use camera and editing options to create a perfect illusion anyway.

Perhaps this triggers some ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/live/D8cSh7G-OuY?si=LkAfzauJOfgMtOJt&t=3370

My best wishes for your project.