[Jay Ingles]

You’re right, i should do an optimize. Though its a beveled edge and not a straight extrusion, i’m sure it will still optimize well without “squaring” it too much.

that will just help with playback/render times right, and not too much regarding the lighting right?

I tried adding some sky lights in but it made everything worse. I think i’ll be using default lighting as its consistent with such large camera moves through z-space.

Thanks

[Jay Ingles]

I’ll certainly give that a shot tomorrow. Thanks for the input!
I’ll post back here with any success.

[Jay Ingles]

Hi Adam, Can you elaborate on this a little?

If i’ve made an Emitter with 12 polygons within it, where would i incorporate the Cloner object?

Like this?
Emitter->ClonerObject(objectmode)->12 polygons ?
Then add a Mograph Cache tag on the Cloner?

Thanks a lot!

[Jay Ingles]

You my friend are a hero.
Thanks!

Will definitely look into R13’s advantages but this solution is perfect.

[Jay Ingles]

Manually actually. In the viewport locating the item i want to duplicate by clicking it, then clicking in the object browser and Option-Drag to duplicate it.

Once i do this it doesn’t link to the switch. how did you do it?

As well, i can’t resize it by hitting S and dragging in the viewport

(Oh, and thanks 🙂

[Jay Ingles]

Manually actually. In the viewport locating the item i want to duplicate by clicking it, then clicking in the object browser and Option-Drag to duplicate it.

Once i do this it doesn’t link to the switch. how did you do it?

As well, i can’t resize it by hitting S and dragging in the viewport

[Jay Ingles]

Amazing. That helps a lot, thanks so much. I wasn’t aware of Instance Objects.

I’ve just given it a shot and the only problem i’m running into is relative to my specific workflow.

I’m using 6 different objects duplicated 2-300 times and placed manually to spell out a word. Each time i duplicate one of my main 6 Instance Objects the Xpresso/Switch obviously breaks.

How could i build this so that the Instances are easily duplicatable and maintain the switch properties? Ideally I’d be able to resize/scale the instances as well but that’s not a big deal.

InstanceObject-Proxy ProjectFile (R12)

[Jay Ingles]

Thank you fine sir, i will look into that tomorrow!

Is it that straight forward? I’ve never dealt with Xrefs/Instance Objects before. I’ll do my best to sort it out myself, but if i’ve got a question i’m hoping you might be able to help.

Thanks again 🙂

[Jay Ingles]

Hi Randy,

Using a Fracture Object with a Random Effector to transition the flakes into their final position was great, but time consuming to place all the flakes. I didn’t have any luck with “uniform” setting changes, but do understand the principle behind it.

As far as the extrude option goes…

Any chance you could take a look at my project file and let me know how i may be able to space them out more evenly? I’m not a fan of the dense areas that show up darker. When zoomed in the overlaps are unattractive.

I’ve tried adjusting my Text Spline “Intermediate Points” as well as Dynamics Tag “Collision” (ellipsoid) but with no luck.

Thanks!

[Jay Ingles]

Hi Randy,

I’m going to give the extrude option a shot shortly but had some luck placing the flakes manually, then using a Fracture Object with a Random Effector to transition the flakes into their final position.

I also tried your “uniform” setting but it didn’t appear to do anything, tho i understand the principle of it so thanks.

Obviously placing so many by hand isn’t ideal so I will give the extrude/surface a shot and hope that the “avoid collision” is adjustable enough for a pleasing result.

Thanks for taking the time to write back. If anything else comes to mind please let me know.