@Dr-Sassi

Morning Dr Sassi,

Thanks a bunch for the extensive feedback and suggestions. You summed it up very well here 'As often in 3D animation, reality, and logic have very little value here.'

I have taken a look at the last file and certainly think this will be a very handy method for a more art direct-able method. I am now thinking about how I can attach my geometry to your rig weight best practice.

In my head I could simply place my geo underneath the corresponding joints. Is that the case or is there a better method with constraints for example?

My model will need to also try and match the corresponding lengths of the joints to mimic the same effect, is there any good solution to that? Should I scale my model down for example to match the rig? In the same google drive link I sent earlier I have a little screen capture of how I think it should work...

Once again thanks for solid advice. Let me know your thoughts :)!

Andrew

Thanks for you feedback. I have found a solution now whereby my model is rigged with the spring (although you suggested not too) but my geometry (the rigid bodies) do not seem to want to go inside my bucket / shell still. Must be to do with the way I have setup my collider tag. I have asked on the discord forum perhaps someone may have some feedback. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AgoMKeTqLRYzLZGe2lzvCzMEZIV_34aW?usp=sharing

Very appreciative of your input and the swift replies from Maxon! As for the Noseman tuts they were very interesting, in particular the robotic arm. If only he did one on my crane earlier aha!

As for Matt I shall let him know you say hello!

@brown-plastic

Morning Dr Sassi,

Firstly thanks for your response. I have heard very good things about your support. I have opened your file. It looks as though this will work no doubt. I have attached the file again where I have placed my geo under the nulls (which I think is correct) so they inherit the parent. Is this how I would go about using your rig? cv4_2024_drs_24_cagg_02.c4d

I continued yesterday on my own as I only saw your message this morning and have made some positive progress. My grabber is now attached with a spring so I can make it land on a collider object (the uneven surface/floor). By adjusting the rest length I can now make my go up and down.
It is swinging quite a lot which I do not want as the object is extremely heavy in real life and would not swing like this. Maybe I need to adjust my stability and stiffness in the spring? I have also noticed when my grabber is closed it has not appeared to have picked up very much of the spheres...perhaps I need to adjust my rigid body settings?
I have put the files on this link - https://videos-gifs-andrew.framer.website/

Good morning everyone,

I am working on a project for a client which involves a crane, more specifically a grabber crane used on docks or building sites picking up materials like gravel.

I have tried along with Matt (Matt Rittman) but we could only get so far.
I will try and explain and clear as I can with text and the images attached.
One arm (b) is fixed to the top part.
The other arm (a) is on a swivel so it can rotate (on the B axis in c4d) allow for the arm to widen and close.
Points C & D remain fixed but of course can rotate to allow for the grabbers to swivel. Points E & F are fixed but like the above can swivel or turn within themselves.
The centre unit is attached to cables which when tighten lift up the two grabbers thus opening and closing it.

I hope the images and videos are helpful. Me and Matt got so far but cannot seem to go further. Perhaps someone with a more engineering or technical background in rigging may be of help. I can't share the official model but I blocked it out and have attached what Matt I have gotten to along with a rig I tried with IK's. I can't seem ot upload .gifs or mp4s to show process but could discord or share to anyone who may have any solutions.
Thanks!

240313 - Kraan Test - Protection Tag.c4d