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Author Topic: Animating a Multi Stage Rocket  (Read 7712 times)

Bobert

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Animating a Multi Stage Rocket
« on: June 04, 2009, 09:29:53 am »

I have a problem...

After creating a multistage rocket in anim8or, I planned to then make an animation of it taking off. However, when I got to trying to animate it, I wasn't sure how I was supposed to make an animation of the rocket separting in its various stages during takeoff.

Does anyone have some advice on how to animate such a thing?
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Arik_the_Red

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Re: Animating a Multi Stage Rocket
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2009, 12:43:24 am »

Well, there are a lot of unknown variables in your dilemma... I am by no means a ranked expert or even above average with the program, but if I were to do this, naturally I would make each stage a separate object... I believe I'd go so far as to make each stage an individual figure with its own sequences.  Then join the figures together in the scene(s) and each rocket stage would have its own sequences for when it breaks free and spins, falls, tumbles, etc.

Of course, I wouldn't consider trying to make the whole launch and entry into space in one scene. I'd create individual scenes for:

- Launch Pad
- Ascending through the lower atmosphere
- Break-Off scene for each individual stage departure
- Maybe a mini-version showing the rocket from ground level as it trails far above as a white vapor trail.  

Otherwise you'd be asking for a lot of headache to create the effect of the atmosphere darkening and thinning through the entire flight.

Is that what you're quandering over?

Also, it would be really good to see what some of our seriously advanced folks suggest, because, as I said, and as my signature states, I am by no means even close to being advanced with animation and such.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2009, 12:51:51 am by Arik_the_Red »
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headwax

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Re: Animating a Multi Stage Rocket
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2009, 03:46:26 am »

Good advice....I followed your advice Arik and came up with this, patchy but simple like me :)



Teranim8or and anim8or, bit overdone on the explosion :) :)

the rocket5.an8 file takes a while to load cause of the explosion particles

you'll need the tan8expl.jpg as well

main problem is when you adjust things they can go backwards......... play with graph editor to fix

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Bobert

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Re: Animating a Multi Stage Rocket
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2009, 08:36:10 pm »

Thank you so much for the information. I'll try your suggestions and see what happens. If I have any more questions ill post back. In the mean time anyone can feel free to add tips to this as I feel we could all learn alot from this. Thanks once again!
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Ratticis

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Re: Animating a Multi Stage Rocket
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2009, 03:16:15 am »

Be sure to post it when you're done too! sounds interesting
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Arik_the_Red

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Re: Animating a Multi Stage Rocket
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2009, 09:35:11 pm »

That was a cool, if simple, model job, headwax!

Yes, Bobert, when you have something in the works, share your development, please?
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