electric current

[target-photo]

Hello from the Swiss (with repaired mitral valve)
I would like to represent electric current (non compressible) by little spheres moving in a tube. A resistance will be represented by a bottleneck in the middle of the tube. The whole system must be totally filled with particles at staring point.
When the particles are 'pushed' (emitted) from the left, all particles should move without overlapping to the right (and then be killed). I tried different methods (even fluid sim)... but no good result. What system is the easiest to realize this.
Grazie dottore
Henri

[Dr. Sassi]

Bon Giorno, Henri!

We can exclude this version, but I will share it to get more feedback.
CV4_2024_drs_23_ANel_01.c4d

Here is a sketch with a "package" of spheres that moves based on a force field, accelerates in the bottleneck, and slows down. (Do I memorize this correctly from my two-year education in electricity/electronics? It is four decades back in time.)
You can change the speed in the Force Field> Spline. direction > Layer
CV4_2024_drs_23_SIel_01.c4d

The killing of electrons needs a trick: the move (eyeballing) of the "Linear Field".

Going by your description, the first and last frames might not be helpful.

Let me know if that works for you.

Enjoy

[target-photo]

Hello signore Sassi
You are incredible! ANel is technically what I was looking for. I needed some time to understand what you did. I will not exclude this version. This solution is fast, gives a realistic visualization of the electron flow.
Now I have to work on this, to make a closed circuit with this b-spline (coming out of a cube(source)... passing the bottleneck ... and going back to the source on a parallel line, to close the circuit.
I expected a solution with thinking particles... but this blowed my mind.
I will keep you informed.
Grazie mille

[Dr. Sassi]

Thanks a lot for the feedback, Henri.

The first one uses short comping of splines and animation to its advantage, such that the distance between points is crucial for the speed.

The Force Field has a lot of potential, and adjusting the "force" along a spline is very powerful.
More about Force Field can be found on our team's many shows over on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/c/MaxonTrainingTeam

Let me know if there is anything else. I have some time off (Holiday here), but, of course, I have an eye on the forum.

My best wishes for your project

[target-photo]

reHello Dr. Sassi
I am using your CV4_2024_drs_23_ANel_01.c4d... now my problem: If I keyframe the velocity of the 'particles' (Cloner) to zero at frame 50, the particles will stop on frame 51... but first (at frame 25 (half of way)) they reverse direction
I could not find out, what to do, to avoid this. Please give me a hint, I am lost.

PS
What I need: positive speed == particles move to the right / negative speed == particles move to the left

Best wishes
Henri

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi Henri.

Would you mind trying this: (In the file CV4_2024_drs_23_ANel_01.c4d as delivered.)

Cloner> Object> Rate + and - values are possible.

All the best

[Dr. Sassi]

P.S.:

A ten second screen capture
https://stcineversityprod02.blob.core.windows.net/$web/Cineversity_Forum_Support/2023_Clips_DRS/left-right_Rate.mp4

[target-photo]

hi again
yes I tried this... + goes right / - goes left... ok but if I want to keyframe the rate (in German version 'velocity') everything goes wrong. Please try to stop your particles at frame 50 with a keyframe rate 0...
the rate goes from +26 to 0 (all positive) but the particles revers
kind regards

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi Henri,

Try this one; it uses only the Offset (the Starting point for the Offset should be greater than zero, so the Offsett Variation can build up). No Rate.

CV4_2024_drs_23_ANel_02.c4d

All the best

[target-photo]

you made my day!

[Dr. Sassi]

Thanks a lot, Henri, you too!

My best wishes for your project

[Dr. Sassi]

Please no new topics in older threads.

I have moved your posts
https://cineversity.forums.maxon.net/topic/900/model-a-membrane