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  Math Revision



When a circle's diameter is 1 unit, its circumference is pi (∏) units.

Circumference = ∏ * diameter
Circumference = 2∏ * radius

∏ = 3.14159
     



sin(angle)=O/H
cos(angle)=A/H
tan(angle)=O/A
     



degrees=radians*(180/∏)
radian=degrees*(∏/180)
     


     

  
    
  Please leave all references to the author intact in all documentation and tutorials.  
 

Terms of Use

  
  
   MEL Script Gems   

 

 

  Wheel Roll in Z axis
 
Type :  Expression
Description : A wheel rotates according the distance translated along a single axis.
Use :  Procedural Animation
Download : MAYA 2009 .ma file [click here]

//--------------------------------------------------
//
// Create a cylinder, rotate and position it on the floor.
// Delete the History and Freeze Transforms
// Group the cylinder.
//
// The Group can be animated using Translation Z and
// the wheel will Rotate automatically
//
//--------------------------------------------------

// declare and assign variables
float $PI = 3.1415;
float $wheelRadius = 10;

if(frame==1)
{
    // reset the wheel and global group back at the origin
    globalTransforms.translateZ=0;
    wheel.rotateX=0;
}
else
{
    // translate the global group
    globalTransforms.translateZ+=0.1;

    // rotate the wheel according to global group translateZ value
    wheel.rotateX=360*(globalTransforms.translateZ/
                                  (2*$PI*$wheelRadius));
}

 

  Wheel Roll back and forth
 
Type :  Expression
Description : A wheel rotates according the distance translated along a single axis.
Use :  Procedural/Mechanical Animation
Download : MAYA 2009 .ma file [click here]

//--------------------------------------------------
//
// Create a cylinder, rotate and position it on the floor.
// Delete the History and Freeze Transforms
// Group the cylinder.
//
// The Group can be animated using Translation Z and
// the wheel will Rotate automatically
//
//--------------------------------------------------

    // declare and assign variables
    float $PI = 3.1415;
    float $wheelRadius = 10;
    float $frequency = 2; // speed
    float $magnitude = 7; // value

if(frame==1)
{
    // reset the wheel and global group back at the origin
    globalTransforms.translateZ=0;
    wheel.rotateX=0;
}
else
{
    // translate the global group
    globalTransforms.translateZ=
               (sin(deg_to_rad((frame)*$frequency)))*$magnitude;

    // rotate the wheel according to global
    // group translateZ value
    wheel.rotateX=360*(globalTransforms.translateZ/
                                    (2 * $PI * $wheelRadius));
}


 

  Turbulence (Random Vibrations)
 
Type :  Expression
Description : Add some random turbulence to an Object. The main object is Grouped and a local turbulence Expression is applied. This Group is then Grouped again to allow GlobalTransforms or even a Motion Path.

This Expression has interesting possibilities when considered for other Attributes than Translation and Rotation.
eg. Light Intensity, Colour, Bump Depth
Use :  Procedural Animation. Objects, Cameras. Lights
Download : MAYA 2009 .ma file [click here]

//------------------------------------------------------
//
// Create a model. Group it twice and name it as indicated
// in the Outliner above. Apply the Expression below to the
// localTurbulenceExpression Group.
//
//------------------------------------------------------

// noise(time*frequency)*magnitude
// frequency = speed
// magnitude = value
 

// rotate the model between -3 and 3 degrees
 local_turbulence.rotateZ = noise(time*0.8)*3;

// translate the model between -1.2 and 1.2 in X axis
local_turbulence.translateX = noise(time*0.8)*1.2;

// translate the model between -0.6 and 0.6 in Y axis
local_turbulence.translateY = noise((time-10)*2)*0.6;
 
 
  Crawling Insects (Automated Legs)
 
Type :  Expression
Description : Add some random turbulence to an Object. The main object is Grouped and a local turbulence Expression is applied. This Group is then Grouped again to allow globalTransforms or even a Motion Path.

This Expression has interesting possibilities when considered for other Attributes than Translation and Rotation.
eg. Light Intensity, Colour, Bump Depth
Use :  Procedural Animation.
Download : MAYA 2009 .ma file [click here]

//------------------------------------------------------
//
// Create a model. Group it twice and name it as indicated
// in the Outliner above. Apply the Expression below to the
// localTurbulenceExpression Group.
//
//------------------------------------------------------


 

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// MIDDLE LEG : LEFT
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

lft_leg2_01.rotateX=`getAttr -time (frame-20) lft_leg1_01.rotateX`;
lft_leg2_01.rotateY=`getAttr -time (frame-20) lft_leg1_01.rotateY`;
lft_leg2_01.rotateZ=`getAttr -time (frame-20) lft_leg1_01.rotateZ`;

lft_leg2_02.rotateX=`getAttr -time (frame-20) lft_leg1_02.rotateX`;
lft_leg2_02.rotateY=`getAttr -time (frame-20) lft_leg1_02.rotateY`;
lft_leg2_02.rotateZ=`getAttr -time (frame-20) lft_leg1_02.rotateZ`;

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// MIDDLE LEG : RIGHT
//
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

rgt_leg2_01.rotateX=`getAttr -time (frame-20) rgt_leg1_01.rotateX`;
rgt_leg2_01.rotateY=`getAttr -time (frame-20) rgt_leg1_01.rotateY`;
rgt_leg2_01.rotateZ=`getAttr -time (frame-20) rgt_leg1_01.rotateZ`;

rgt_leg2_02.rotateX=`getAttr -time (frame-20) rgt_leg1_02.rotateX`;
rgt_leg2_02.rotateY=`getAttr -time (frame-20) rgt_leg1_02.rotateY`;
rgt_leg2_02.rotateZ=`getAttr -time (frame-20) rgt_leg1_02.rotateZ`;

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// BACK LEG : LEFT
//
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

lft_leg3_01.rotateX=`getAttr -time (frame-40) lft_leg1_01.rotateX`;
lft_leg3_01.rotateY=`getAttr -time (frame-40) lft_leg1_01.rotateY`;
lft_leg3_01.rotateZ=`getAttr -time (frame-40) lft_leg1_01.rotateZ`;

lft_leg3_02.rotateX=`getAttr -time (frame-40) lft_leg1_02.rotateX`;
lft_leg3_02.rotateY=`getAttr -time (frame-40) lft_leg1_02.rotateY`;
lft_leg3_02.rotateZ=`getAttr -time (frame-40) lft_leg1_02.rotateZ`;

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// BACK LEG : RIGHT
//
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

rgt_leg3_01.rotateX=`getAttr -time (frame-40) rgt_leg1_01.rotateX`;
rgt_leg3_01.rotateY=`getAttr -time (frame-40) rgt_leg1_01.rotateY`;
rgt_leg3_01.rotateZ=`getAttr -time (frame-40) rgt_leg1_01.rotateZ`;

rgt_leg3_02.rotateX=`getAttr -time (frame-40) rgt_leg1_02.rotateX`;
rgt_leg3_02.rotateY=`getAttr -time (frame-40) rgt_leg1_02.rotateY`;
rgt_leg3_02.rotateZ=`getAttr -time (frame-40) rgt_leg1_02.rotateZ`;

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
      

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