3D-Bezier tool?

plot-paris · 19 Aug 2008, 14:08

hello everybody.

I am currently working at a flighthrough animation. I use flightpath2 as an animation tool, with one path for camera movement and another path for camera aim.

I created two bezier curves for that purpose (fredo's bezier plugin). they are ideal, because you can easily match the vertex number of camera path and camera aim path, thus perfectly synchronising the movement.

my only problem is, that I would like to have the camera rise up into the air at a certain point. but I can only create a bezier-curve on a plane and am not able to move control points in the third dimension.

therefore I wanted to ask:

is there such a thing as a 3D-Bezier tool?

or is this simply impossible with the algorithms underlying the bezier-idea?

or (and thats what I dearly hope) am I just ignorant of the capabilities of fredo's bezier tools and it is already possible?

any help would be highly appreciated, because I have to finish this animation this evening and have benn fighting whole day to get it working.

remus · 19 Aug 2008, 14:14

Im fairly certain you can have beziers in 3d, although drawing them straight off would certainly be a challenege.

I use the @last bezier tool, and if you right click a bezier you can edit it. From there you can move any of the control points in 3 dimensions, perhaps theres somethign similar with fredos plugin?

plot-paris · 19 Aug 2008, 16:02

nice trick, TIG. thanks for the tutorial.

unfortunately you lose the option of manipulating the bezier curve later on.

I think a 3D-Bezier tool is the next big challenge!!

fredo6 · 19 Aug 2008, 16:05

@plot-paris said:

my only problem is, that I would like to have the camera rise up into the air at a certain point. but I can only create a bezier-curve on a plane and am not able to move control points in the third dimension.

therefore I wanted to ask:

is there such a thing as a 3D-Bezier tool?

Bezierspline is 3D. However, by default, it tries to draw the curve on the plane defined by the first 3 points (cursor is an black square). Just press Ctrl alone, and you'll get an empty square, allowing you to draw freely.
Also, when you edit the curve, you have an axis lock to move a control point vertically or along any axis (use Arrow keys).

Fredo

kwistenbiebel · 19 Aug 2008, 16:13

I am glad you bring this up Plot Paris, as I struggle with the exact same issue (in my case SuAnimate path curves).
I'll try the method Fredo mentioned.

TIG · 19 Aug 2008, 16:24

There is no full 3D Bezier that I know of [Bezier is but it's not user friendly], however, here's a way of doing it by making a 2D Bezier then using Didier's 'extrude line' script, rotating a cutting plane and intersecting with model and finally 'Weld'ing the 3D Bezier's edges into one curve...

3D-Bezier.skp

plot-paris · 20 Aug 2008, 09:03

fredo, my eyes are sparkling with tears of joy! that is exactly what I wished for. you are incredible!
and again you proved, that it really makes sense to read the detailed manuals you allways provide! I always thought of the bezier tool as mildly interesting. but since I have really started using it and understanding all the opportunities of manipulating a curve lateron (now completed with your tip how to work in 3D), this tool has become one of my big favourites!

thank you soooo much, fredo6

by the way: this is exactly what we need for object/camera movement in the one huge animation plugin

N Lindenthal · 21 Aug 2008, 06:27

Where is my bezier tools palette?

To find it, I have only the following .rbs in my plugins folder:
@unknownuser said:

bezier.rb
Bezierspline [Folder]
langhandler.rb
sketchup.rb

In the folder Bezierspline are the icons of the bezier tools palette. But the bezier icons do not appear in a viewable palette.

No .rbs in my tools folder.

Chris Fullmer · 21 Aug 2008, 16:05

Bezier Curves is in the draw menu, just to keep you on your toes.

Chris

solo · 21 Aug 2008, 16:29

I do not use SU for animation any longer unless for a crude client visualization of a work in progress, having said that I do use beziers quite a bit and to shape a bezier curve I explode the entire curve and then group and use FFD to shape it in the directions I need it or stretch it as I please, it works great and very easy to control.

Hope it helps.

N Lindenthal · 22 Aug 2008, 06:46

@chris fullmer said:

Bezier Curves is in the draw menu …

Yes, of course. But where are the tools for bezierspline? I miss the bezier tools palette. I had them a few weeks ago.