Animation engine help

Joepie

Hello,

I am a student at the moment and I'm working on an engine for an animation.
And I don't really get my animation to work. Some parts don't lock into each other or just go theire own way. And so I am going to ask you guys what is the best solution. Here is what I am working on. I have 2 pistons that need to stay straight and every red circle is a turning point. I used the NURBcircle as controler. So please who can tell me what the best solution is.

Greetings,

Joep

slipsius

I think this is a mix of "parent" constraints and "aim" constraints. If you youtube it, there are a number of tutorials at first glance. Piston Rigging in Maya, or something like that.

PeteHawk

Stefan is right and I made a little image for you:



All I'm animating is the Main bearing up top. The list is ordered top to bottom.
Greens are bearings.
Oh and if you want the last bearing to rotate, it's just a matter of adding an orient constraint from bearing03 to bearing02.

ps: I have no clue what all these parts are called.

slipsius

Great pic, pete! Thanks for that!

Joepie

Thanks PeteHawk I wil try this.

Joepie

at this point I'm done with the rigging and I'm wondering how I can duplicate the engine and the rig at the same time? to place it next to each other.

heboltz3

Trying to make a copy of the rig could get wonky pretty quick.

I would probably suggest referencing in the rig into a new scene, and duplicating the refrence it. Should give you the same results with way room for error.

Joepie

Thank you heboltz3 it seems to work.