Topic: Moving Multiple Objects in Advanced Move Effects in Movie Mode

[peterw]

I have created 2 independent objects a digger body and the digger tracks. I want to be able to move and rotate the 2 objects both simultaneously and independently as indicated in the attached short video.

I find that when I align the two objects it is very difficult to select each object independently since I cannot toggle between the two when setting up advanced move effects. Is there a way to easily toggle between aligned objects?

The tutorial video seems to indicate that if the grey selection button is clicked on and it turns blue that the object is then selected. I have assumed that if both objects are selected then if one is moved they both should move simultaneously. Is this correct since I cannot get them to move consistently it seems that either one moves and I then have to move the other one independently. What am I doing wrong?

I also see a light blue filled circle and a red filled circle on occasions as shown on the attached screenshot. What do these mean?

Is there any sources of reference where I could read about this?

[peterm]

Hi peterw

Welcome. 

I'll cover some of your other questions first, then go to the main question. 

To select objects when they are aligned you use the same method as in Build Mode: place the mouse over the Object Icons (little white circles) then use the Arrow Keys Up/Down to move up and down the objects. In Advanced Move there is a limit to the navigation of 20 objects (20 objects all aligned same place). As you navigate up and down the objects, then each object will be highlighted in green.  Whilst green, click and the object will be selected.


The light blue circle indicates the current object of selection is at a key on the timeline. 

So if you have an object with a key (two or more keys is easier to see how this works), then as you move the timeline (red area highlighted in the timeline bar) by sliding the mouse (with left mouse button down) within the timeline, then when the timeline is at a key (white dot with white line on the timeline), the light blue circle (animates/on/off) to show you that you have positioned the timeline at a key for that object.  Phew    (I'm sure I could make that sentence even longer, OK, shorter and read better  )

You will get the red circle, when the mouse is outside of the timeline bar.  That is, not moving the timeline and not in the working area.  The red circle highlights the objects' position as defined by the key that the mouse is closest to on the timeline. 

See attached pics 1 and 2.  As I move the mouse above the timeline bar, the Barricades position is highlighted as the mouse gets closer to one or other of the keys set for that position.

Is there any sources of reference where I could read about this?

There is, but from other posts.  Just ask as you have and we can fill you in on the details  .
 

OK, now about your main question and task you want to do.

A little background.  Advanced Move is an 'advanced' animation effect than that of the Move Effect.  It is designed to provide pathing, curved paths (or linear for two keys only), and is generally there to work with single objects needing paths and timing.

Although it's possible to do what you want, it may also take some time, and some effort in trying to synchronise the two objects of the digger.  There is no 'grouping' or moving selections together (has been suggested by some of our users), because Advanced Move currently only works with animating one object per time.  There is also no Position type in as in Build Mode, so all changes need to be done with the mouse.  That's fine for single objects, and objects that do not need a more specific positioning, such as moving a person along a path. 

Not saying it's not possible, but those are some of the frameworks to realise when using Advanced Move.  We have also users who have created quite complex animations with many objects, so it's a 'do-able', but with effort.

Do you have any experience with other 3D modelling/animation software, such as 3ds Max, Maya, Blender etc?

One option is to consider animating the digger with it's rotations and movement in a software that has greater depth for object path animation.  If the software exports (properly) to the FBX format, then it can be imported as a whole animation and then used for the rest of the scene.

For example, it would be easier to have the digger with a timed rotation animation, export to Lumion, and then create the movement path in Advanced Move.  So that you get the required end result, but it's easier to work with in Lumion because the imported animation is just one object.

There are sometimes some other 'tricks' to do things like getting ending positions exact by working with the last keys first.

The MP4 example you provided, shows you have done well to get to that point. 

[peterw]

Hi peterm

Thank you for your immediate and comprehensive response - timed at 03:18:47 am - I thought I was the only one still working at that time in the morning!!

I have read through and I fully understand everything that you have stated - I searched everywhere in vain for the Arrow Keys Up/Down facility I guessed there would be a solution.

I have got 3dsMax and I have set up animations in the past but I use it so infrequently that it is like re learning the software every time I go back to re use it.

However given that I now know a 3dsMax animation can be imported as a whole animation into Lumion I will experiment with a couple of samples just to prove out the process.

Thanks once again for your help.

[peterm]

Hi peterw

   we are actually robots (but then again Morten gave away the answer to our time zones (in another post)) 

...the Arrow Keys Up/Down ...

Unfortunately we need to add more about such (hard to find features).  Although it is included in our Is there a list of all the keyboard shortcuts in Lumion?, see topic Selecting Models When Object Icons are Aligned:, but there's a lot in that one article.  So apologies because you've spent unneeded time trying to find such information, will update that FAQ.

Yes, certainly understand what you say re 3ds Max.  As you do have it though, that's then the best option.  Note that the animations are looped in Lumion, and you have no other controls over it, so you do need to plan the animation sequences and timing in both 3ds Max and in Lumion to get them to work together well.  In Lumion that may also include breaking down a longer clip in to a series of smaller ones. 

To import the animation check that the Tick box is ticked when importing the model.

Let us know how you get on.

[peterw]

Hi peterm
Crude short clip attached which is 3dsMax animation imported into Lumion as fbx just to prove the process. I seem to have lost some of the panels on the side of the excavator which all appear in 3dsMax. Would this be because of my graphics card?

[Morten]

Hi peterw, have you checked if the panels might be facing the wrong way in Lumion?

The reason I ask is that 3DS Max displays single-sided polygons as double-sided by default, even if they are really single-sided, so after importing those faces in Lumion they may be facing the wrong way.

You'll have to turn on "Backface Culling" to see your model the way it "really" is in 3DS Max:
Select all models in the scene -> Right-click -> Object Properties -> Backface Cull = On

If any of the panels are flipped the wrong way, you'll have to flip the polygons manually (or add an extra polygon to the back), until the model looks right before exporting it to Lumion.

Does this resolve the problem?

[ArchLeo]

I apologize for intervention, but sometimes flipping polygons in 3DsMax won't be enough after turning on Backface Cull. Especially when you look at the model from different angels ( or it's animated ), and also when you have curved objects you will see the problem more clearly.
However, the best thing to do in 3DsMax from my experience is to apply "Shell" modifier to your invisible parts of the model. any small shell number will do for this matter.
But please do that after flipping polygons to the right direction.

[Morten]

You're right, ArchLeo - adding the Shell modifier is sometimes a better option.

[peterw]

The combination of 'flipping' polygons to the right direction, turning on 'Backface Cull' and the application of the 'Shell' Modifier collectively seems to have resolved the invisible parts problem. All now appear to be visible. Thanks for your help.

[Morten]

Glad to hear that, Peter.

Let us know if we can help you with anything else.