Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
and Z: 0.000. This shows that the cube is at the center of the 3D window in all planes. So, we
are concerned with the movement on the
x
-axis. Right click on “X: 0.000” and in the panel
that displays, click “Add Single to Keying Set.” If you look at the timeline window header,
you will see a button labeled “ButtonsKeyingSet” and two little key icons next to it. One
of them has a red line across it. Note in the timeline that you are at frame 1. You have just
entered the information into a keying set, telling Blender that at frame 1 the cube is located
on the
x
-axis at position 0.000.
Now let's consider the color part of the exercise. In the properties window, click on the
“Material” button. Right click on the “Diffuse color” button then click on “Add All to Keying
Set.” Make sure you click on “Add All” not “Add Single”—now the information for the color
has been added to the keying set.
In the timeline window header, click on the first of the little key icons (not the one with
the red line). You have entered a key frame for the location and color of the cube. You
can see this in the graph editor window by opening up all the headings in the dope sheet.
Now move to frame 40 or wherever you wish on the timeline.
Change the value for the “Transform” - “Location” - “X axis” in
the properties window “Object” tab. Right click the new value
and click “Add Single to Keying Set.” Do the same thing for the
“Material” - “Diffuse color” value, but make sure you click on
“Add All to Keying Set.” Now click on the first of the key icons
again to add the new key frame at frame 40. Scrub the timeline
to see the cube move and change color.
9.11 Wind Strength Animation
Wind force can be applied to particles and cloth. The wind
strength can be animated to provide a realistic reaction to ac-
count for varying wind strength. In the 3D window, add an
“Empty.” Split the 3D window in two and make one half the
graph editor window. With the empty selected in the 3D win-
dow, go to the properties window “Physics” button. In the
“Force Field” tab, click on the “Type” panel to display the drop
down selection panel and select “Wind” (Figure 9.22). The wind
force is displayed in the 3D window as a stack of circles along
the positive
z
-axis (Figure 9.23).
In the physics “Force Field” tab, the “Strength” value refers to the wind
strength. Increasing the value causes the circles in the 3D window to move
apart, showing the increase. Starting with “Strength = 1.000” at frame 1
on the timeline, right click in the “Strength” panel and select “Insert Key-
frame” in the drop down menu that displays (Figure 9.24). A key frame
is added in the graph editor window. Click on the vertical green line and
drag it along to frame 41. You will see your first key shown as the orange
dot at frame 1 (Figure 9.25). With the green line at frame 41, alter the
“Strength” value to 7.000 and right click in the “Strength” panel again. Se-
lect “Insert Keyframe” and a second key is added in the graph editor win-
Figure 9.22
z-axis
3D window
Figure 9.23
