Animating changing 3D numbers

# 1 11-08-2012 , 03:04 PM

Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011

Posts: 2

Hi!
I need to make an animation in maya where there's a 3D digital clock running.
The digits of this clock have to be in 3D, as the camera will move around them.

So the number are animating like this.
15:52, 15:53, 15:54, 15:55... 16:00 etc..

I know I could just create each number and turn their visibility on and off etc..
But since I have to do this for a looot of them... is there any more effective way?
Hope you guys can help user added image

thanks
Su-won

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# 2 11-08-2012 , 04:56 PM

Technical Director
Join Date: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,988

Expressions would be the easiest way. Keep a variable for both the minutes, and the seconds. When the seconds are greater than 59, set it to zero, and increment the minutes. Then you need to figure out how to switch the visibility on your object. You can do this by naming your objects the same as the number you need. So 59 would be named 59. You could then change the visibility on the object when the number comes around.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

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# 3 11-08-2012 , 06:06 PM

Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011

Posts: 2

Thanks NextDesign,
Sorry but making the expression is not gonna bother me so much.

I have to make 20 separate animations of 15 seconds
1. from 3.59.50 to 4.00.05
2. from 4.59.50 to 5.00.05
... till
20. from 23.59.50 to 00.00.05

My question is more: there is a better way then creating multiple numbers and then having to switch visibilities?
The thing is: I can't set key on my text value: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1803715/Text%20History.jpg

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Animating changing 3D numbers

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