Animating an ariplane

Posted by admin on February 8, 2008

In this tutorial, using  3dsmax, we will learn a simple Aeroplane
animation, where smoke is emitted after being burned from fuel cells of the
aeroplane.

Model an aeroplane or import from your library in the scene.

Probably (and in most of cases for vehicle, helicopter, plane etc.), your
aeroplane model is comprised of several parts (and not a single mesh). In this
case, you must have to group all the parts of the model. So, in the viewport,
select all the parts of the aeroplane and choose Group menu > Group.

Name the group “Plane” and click OK.

We will drive this plane on a path applying a Path Constraint. But Path
Constraint does not support a group. So, we will link this aeroplane group to a
Dummy object and then let the Dummy to be driven on that Path. Click Create >
Helpers (Standard) > Dummy.

Click and drag in the viewport to place a dummy object. Position isn’t the
matter here. Because we will align this with the plane model.

While Dummy01 is still selected, click “Align” button in the main toolbar.

The shape of the cursor will be changed to let you pick the object to aligned
with for the currently selected dummy. But if we want to pick by clicking in the
viewport it will be a problem. Because align cursor may pick the plane’s part
geometry instead of the whole group. So, to avoid this problem, immediately
after clicking the align icon, click the “Select by Name” icon in the main
toolbar. Now, in the Pick Object dialogue box, select (highlight) the group
named “[Plane]” and then click “Pick”.

In the Align Selection (Plane) box, check all the three positions (i.e. X, Y, Z)
and choose “Center” option for both the Current and Target Objects. Then click
OK.

The dummy object should now be centered with the Plane model.

Select the plane group. Click “Select and Link” button in the main toolbar.
Cursor will be changed to let you define the parent for the selection. Drag the
mouse pointer from Plane to the dummy and then release the mouse button. Now,
the Plane will inherit all the transforms properties from the Dummy object.

It’s the time to define the path for the motion. In this tutorial, I will use
just a circular path. But it is recommended that you practise with other types
of line paths with several directions. In that case, you may have to use
orthographic viewports (top/left/right etc.) for drawing the line correctly.
However, choose Create > Shapes (Splines) > Circle and draw a circle (reasonably
bigger enough than the plane model) in the viewport.

Select Dummy01 and then apply Animation > Constraints > Path Constraint.

You will see a dotted line with the mouse cursor. In the viewport, click on
Circle01 to pick it as the path for the motion of the Dummy (thus the plane).

Dummy01 will immediately be placed on the starting of the circle. Also, Motion
Panel will be immediately focused with the parameters for the path constraints.
If you play the animation you will see that Dummy01 is moving through the
circle, but its orientation is wrong.

While the Dummy01 is still selected, in the Motion Panel > Path Parameters >
Path Options group, check “Follow”. Then, under Axis, choose the correct axis
and check “Flip” if necessary. See the result in the viewport if after every
change of the parameters.

Choose Create > Geometry > Particle Systems category.

Choose “Super Spray” and drag in the viewport to create a Super Spray particle
system.

While the SuperSpray01 is still selected go to Modify Panel > Load/Save Presets.
Then highlight “Trail” in the Saved Presets list and click “Load”.

SuperSpray01 is facing upward which is not correct orientation for it in this
animation. So, while it is still selected, activate the Rotate tool and Angle
Snap in the main toolbar. Then rotate it 90 degree around X axis.

Make sure SuperSpray01 is still selected. Go to Modify panel again. Go up of if
necessary and expand the Particle Generation roll-out. Choose “Use Rate” option
and adjust its value. I have chosen 20. Then under Particle Size group set the
Size as 30. You can experiment with different values and see the results later
on after seeing the rendered result.

Go further down in the Modify Panel and expand “Particle Type” roll-out. Choose
“Standard Particles” as Particle Types and Choose “Facing” as the type of the
Standard Particles.

Open the Material Editor. The 1st sample slot is selected by default. We will
assign this material to Superspray01 after setting up the material. Click the
Map button in the Diffuse slot.

In the Material/Map Browser, choose Particle Age and click OK.

Under the Particle Age Parameters, choose Color1, 2, 3 as shown below (may be,
you will want to experiment with different colors later on). Then go to the
upper (root) level of the Material.

Set the Opacity value = 20 and then assign the material to SuperSpray01. If you
render at this stage, you will see that the particle shape is sharp and it is
not appropriate for such things at all.

To correct this, make sure that SuperSpray01 is still selected and right-click
on it. Then choose “Properties…” in the right-click menu.

In the Object Properties dialogue box > General tab > Motion Blur group > choose
“Image” option. Make sure “Enabled” is checked.

We have two fuel cells. So we need two super sprays. So, clone this super spray.
As we have correct materials, particle settings and motion blur properties set
to the first super spray we need not set those for the cloned SuperSpray02.

In the Top viewport, place two super sprays just behind the respective fuel
cells.

Then go to front (or left) viewport to place the super sprays’ Z-position to
align them with the respective fuel cells.

Now, select both the Super sprays. Click “Select and Link” and then click
“Select by Name” icon in the main toolbar.

Select (highlight) “[Plane]” in the Select Parent dialogue box. Then click
“Link”. The particles are now parented with the plane model. You are also done
almost. Play the animation and render to see the final result. Also play with
some parameters of the materials, particles etc. if you like. That’s all for
today.