Getting kinematics to work

[TBart]

Ok, so I used "set XSI_UNSUPPORTED_ICE_KINEMATICS=1" to unlock kinematics, but I don't think it's working. I don't see any new options or anything in the ICE tree window. Should I see anything new, or are the new options hidden away somewhere?

[pixemo]

I've tried the same thing based on the suggestions from Phil Taylor's ICE thread, but its not working. Is there a particular section of the setenv file where the line needs to be?

[TBart]

That's what I was wondering, but I don't know. I put it at the very end of the list, but I'll try putting it in different spots later.

[TBart]

Yes, it works for sure, worked that way without a hitch since it was locked by env variable. There might be catches to it though, like having a point cloud to "host a tree" etc.

This quote is from another thread, but I'm wondering if this needs to be done before anything shows up? How do I get a point cloud to "host a tree"?

[Daysgone]

you wont see anything new popup that I know of, it just allows you to store data back into kinematics properties.

easiest way to get things working is liek how he starts off some of the videos.
1) create an empty point cloud
2) open icetree view with point cloud selected
3) add non simulated icetree (should show up under modeling)
4) add a null to the scene and hit f3, drag global kine into the ice tree
5) do whatever you are trying to do
6) set data back onto the correct objects kinematics

[pixemo]

Hey thanks for the reply, Daysgone.

I still don't have the 'verlet', and 'verlet forces' compounds (?) showing up in the tasks tab, even though I've set the env as described in the other thread, and followed your instructions as well... see pic
565

Thanks for helping out.

[mechis]

I don't think they are there... this was in Leonard's post


These compound examples were created by Phil and will be made available for everyone to download in the near future.


~Mechis

[Daysgone]

There is a sample scene that has some verlet nodes however the rest of the nodes you see in the kinematics videos it looks like you have to build your own

C:\Softimage\XSI_7.0\Data\XSI_SAMPLES\Scenes\ICE\D eformation_Verlet_Cloth.scn

[jgjones]

I've set the env variable, and tried the sequence described, but I always get a red SetData node which says: "ERROR: The type of port 'source' is not defined." Can anyone point at a simple example scene which shows ICE kinematics hooked up and working?

-Jim


you wont see anything new popup that I know of, it just allows you to store data back into kinematics properties.

easiest way to get things working is liek how he starts off some of the videos.
1) create an empty point cloud
2) open icetree view with point cloud selected
3) add non simulated icetree (should show up under modeling)
4) add a null to the scene and hit f3, drag global kine into the ice tree
5) do whatever you are trying to do
6) set data back onto the correct objects kinematics

[redmotion]

Okay I can confirm that I have the variable setting above the entry near the bottom that says "rem Unset temporary variables" and it works.

1. Get a null.
2. Open the ICE tree and select "Create > ICE tree"
3. Get a set data node - plug it into the ICE Tree.
4. Open it up and click explorer button and then pick or type "null.kine.global.pos"
5. Scrub the X, Y and Z sliders and see the null move! Woohoo!

[jgjones]

Thanks! (It stilll didn't work, so I looked again at the setenv.bat file, and noticed that I has used a space on each side of the "=" sign, (like: ...KINEMATICS = 1). Removed the spaces, and it works. (I'm too used to writing C++ code, not bat files. :)

-Jim

[pixemo]

Thanks Daysgone for the info on Verlet... maybe that was what they were talking about in the other post when they said those compounds would be available soon...

redmotion - thanks for the test - this works for me as well!

On a side note, in the ice kinematics vids, its mentioned that the Verlet compounds are quite simple - not much more than high school physics. Unfortunately, I was drawing pictures through most of my high school classes. :biggrin: Does anyone now of any good resources for learning the physics/math as it relates to these types of compounds?

[Rens]

Okay, I'll just post the exact steps to enable setting of kinematics values as I'm back in front of my XSI 7 trial, I posted in the 'ICE Unleashed' thread before but that might have been a bit vague.


- Open User Tools, can be found in the Start Menu, e.g.: Start > Programs > Softimage > XSI 7 > User Tools.

- From the config files list select Setenv.bat and hit Edit File.

- I added the following line almost at the end of the file, just above XSI_SetenvDone=1, which seemed like a logical place to put it. So this is a copy&paste of what I have there:
set XSI_UNSUPPORTED_ICE_KINEMATICS=1

- Save & Close, restart XSI.


Of course you can edit setenv.bat directly as well instead of going through User Tools.



Anyway, just to clear a few things up, from what I can tell this will NOT enable the compounds seen in the ICE Unleashed (http://community.softimage.com/showthread.php?t=1964) vids. Quoting Leo again:

These compound examples were created by Phil and will be made available for everyone to download in the near future.

[...]

Note that ICE Kinematics are totally unsupported by Softimage for this release. You can enable this by switching an environment variable on, but you’re on your own!
And thanks again to SI for making such a great progam and thank you beta testers and SI people for helping all us ICE newbies out. : )

[TBart]

Thanks everyone, I got it working now too.

[Photon]

Great Information.