Is Physics Required to....

Bryan K

I want to move an object in animation, but it seems that only the camera is movable without physics.

It this correct? Do I need Google Physics to move objects?

Thanks.

TIG

See the API re 'animation' and 'timer' both of which can 'animate' things whilst Sketchup carries on - see my 'ImageAnimator' as an example...

Bryan K

What is an API?

Where is your image animator?

Thanks.

TIG

@bryan k said:

What is an API?
Where is your image animator?
Thanks.

http://code.google.com/apis/sketchup/docs/ is the API that lets you customize using Ruby scripts...
There are thousands of scripts available. My 'ImageAnimator' is one of them that animates images even while other things happen within the model... The Plugins index is a good place to look [ http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=250026#p250026 ]... or do a 'Search'

Bryan K

Thanks TIG. I'm not sure if that's what I'm looking for. I actually want the object to animate within the SU environment. The exported animation is then going into a Flash file for basic interaction and added effects.

But that might also be exactly what I'm looking for..

I'll give it try.

Great link to the plug-in list! I didn't even know that list existed.

Rich O Brien

@bryan k said:

Great link to the plug-in list! I didn't even know that list existed.

Can you not see the big red buttons up there?

Bryan K

@unknownuser said:

@bryan k said:

Great link to the plug-in list! I didn't even know that list existed.

Can you not see the big red buttons up there?

They didn't used to be there and I don't spend a lot of hours here.

Rich O Brien

Well now you've 4 new best friends

Also you may have missed this

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=35400

Enjoy

Bryan K

Excellent. Thanks. I often forget to read the Catch Up.

So.... Google Physics then? Is there any advantage/disadvantage to using it as opposed to Image Animator?

TIG

I only used ImageAnimator as an example to show you that you can animate something [in this case Images] outside of the main Sketchup process - just as Sketchy Physics animates objects - it is much more complex as it uses real 'laws' to do this... However, if you read the API section on animation you will see you can animate the camera or objects simply using relativelt easy to grasp code ... it depends on what you want to do...

Rich O Brien

There are other plugins that move objects like Proper Animation or the Commercial Keyframe Animation

SketchyPhysics has the ability to move objects also and for the camera to follow those objects but recording this you need a screen capturing software.

Bryan K

Ah! Excellent explanations. Thank you both.

It looks like Proper Animation or ImageAnimator may be what I'm looking for.