3DC 8.2 V1600 Rod Animator Issue ???

Morn’n Folks,

Been pretty busy working on my latest project – last night I spent a few hours trying to get the "Rod Animator" plugin to work… I’ve used it successfully several times before – but – maybe I’m having a brain fart or something… Has anyone used this version of the software and made it work ???

Here is what I did…

I built all my parts – [b:2uybcxq4]"Driving Rod"[/b:2uybcxq4] group child of Wheels3 on this model… Built my [b:2uybcxq4]"Piston Object"[/b:2uybcxq4] group – outside of any wheels group and under the "Main" group… Ran [b:2uybcxq4]"Normalize Groups"[/b:2uybcxq4] then selected aft most face of [b:2uybcxq4]"Driving Rod"[/b:2uybcxq4] directly over center of bearing for Wheels3 – and ran [b:2uybcxq4]"Shift Center On Selection"[/b:2uybcxq4] … [b:2uybcxq4]"Driving Rod"[/b:2uybcxq4] center is now aft most face… Started [b:2uybcxq4]"Rod Animator"[/b:2uybcxq4] plug-in on Wheels3 – selected [b:2uybcxq4]"Driving Rod"[/b:2uybcxq4] and then appropriate[b:2uybcxq4] "Piston Object"[/b:2uybcxq4] – input length of [b:2uybcxq4]"Driving Rod"[/b:2uybcxq4] – selected 16 key frames and executed plug-in. [b:2uybcxq4]"Driving Rod"[/b:2uybcxq4] animated correctly – HOWEVER – [b:2uybcxq4]"Piston Object"[/b:2uybcxq4] orbits in a circular motion around Wheel3 instead of doing the normal in/out motion a piston should do…

Am I missing something – or – could it be a bug with 3DC 8.2 ???

Here are the first ( Frames of what is happening…

[img:2uybcxq4]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/scottb613/TS%20WIP/Frame1.jpg[/img:2uybcxq4]

[img:2uybcxq4]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/scottb613/TS%20WIP/Frame2.jpg[/img:2uybcxq4]

[img:2uybcxq4]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/scottb613/TS%20WIP/Frame3.jpg[/img:2uybcxq4]

[img:2uybcxq4]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/scottb613/TS%20WIP/Frame4.jpg[/img:2uybcxq4]

[img:2uybcxq4]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/scottb613/TS%20WIP/Frame5.jpg[/img:2uybcxq4]

[img:2uybcxq4]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/scottb613/TS%20WIP/Frame6.jpg[/img:2uybcxq4]

[img:2uybcxq4]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/scottb613/TS%20WIP/Frame7.jpg[/img:2uybcxq4]

[img:2uybcxq4]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/scottb613/TS%20WIP/Frame8.jpg[/img:2uybcxq4]

Regards,
Scott

Hi Richard,

Need a little help here – sir…

FYI – I did some more testing – this seems to be a definate [color=#FF0000:37z5frz8][u:37z5frz8][b:37z5frz8]###### BUG ######[/b:37z5frz8][/u:37z5frz8][/color:37z5frz8]…

I loaded up 3DC 7.1.2 again – created a new set of model wheels with the "TRAINWORKS ENGINEER" plug-in from a canned template – added the driving rod and piston object – hit the "ROD ANIMATOR" plug-in – worked like a champ – everything animated 100%…

I then duplicated the very same procedure in 3DC 8.2 V1600 – – – result – – – piston object flies a huge orbit around the Wheel group – – – UGGGH !!!

Now – I did load the latest "TRAINWORKS" plug-in from Paul’s web site for 8.2… I’ve seen mention that the "TRAINWORKS" plug-in is now included in the base install of 3DC 8… Should I NOT have installed the plug-in myself ???

Can this be looked at ??? Recently – I’ve been recommending 3DC 8.2 to new folks interested in modeling steam engines – – – honestly – – – "TRAINWORKS" is what puts 3DC head and shoulders above the other modeling packages for modeling trains… We really need these tools to work… Pleeeaaaasssse…
<!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –>

[img:37z5frz8]http&#58;//img&#46;photobucket&#46;com/albums/v304/scottb613/MISC/AWARD501&#46;gif[/img:37z5frz8]

Regards,
Scott

Hi Scott – Sorry for my lack of replies to your e-mails, I’ve been a tad busy lately.

I did the plugin conversions to V8 for Richard so he’s not 100% familiar with them.
I’ll see if I can spot the bug later tonight, I don’t have VB6 at work these days.

Paul

Hi Paul,

No worries – sir… Absolutely no rush – we all have stuff going on outside of this hobby thing – totally understand… There are so many releases of 3DC – I’m sure it’ is difficult to keep up with whichever release is current… As always – greatly appreciate you taking the time to even look at this… If you need any help when you get around to testing anything – just holl’r – I’d be happy to help…

Thanks for all you do…
<!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –>

Regards,
Scott

Hi Scott,

A definite change in behaviour between 3DC versions, the program was almost identical between 7 and 8.

This attachment should fix the problem – you may need to re-register the DLL

Paul

[attachment=0:3i6u4ej3]<!– ia0 –>AnimateRods.zip<!– ia0 –>[/attachment:3i6u4ej3]

Hey – who beat me to the download ???
<!– s:D –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!– s:D –>

Paul,

You make me feel guilty – first you say you’re really kind of busy – then you crank a fix out in less than 24 hours… I could have waited weeks if necessary or whenever was convenient for you… I can’t say thank you enough for the number of times you have helped me out over the years… So – well – you know – – – thanks… I’ll be sure to hit your tip jar at Brinkster (<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod/">http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod/</a>&lt;!– m –>) again sometime soon…
<!– s;) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!– s;) –>

I’ll let you know how it works out…

Regards,
Scott

Hi Paul,

Yep – seems that you do need to register the new DLL for it to show up in 3DC…

In Windows XP – this is the syntax to register a DLL if anyone needs it…
Of course you need to substitute your own path to 3DC…

[b:17d72beh][i:17d72beh]regsvr32 &quot;Program Files3DC 8Pluginsanimaterods.dll&quot;[/i:17d72beh][/b:17d72beh]

Regards,
Scott

Hi Paul,

So far – so good – I ran a few test last night on both test models and productuction… Worked like a champ… Thanks !!!

Regards,
Scott

Paul gave me the new version, I just have to integrate it in 3DCrafter. Shouldn’t be long.