Morph from one character to another...

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# 1 25-10-2003 , 02:54 AM

Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003

Location: lost... and I'm NOT asking directions!! (psst... could you tell me where I am?)

Posts: 33

Hi. I've had fairly good luck recently finding threads through the search feature that answer my questions, but I couldn't find this one.

Basically, I want to take character A and morph him into character B, sort of like Mystique from X-Men. I want the change to be dramatic, and the character will be moving while the change takes place.

I'm sure such an effect will be time-consuming, but if you wouldn't mind pointing me to a tutorial, or getting me on the right track, that would be great.

Thanks!

Me and THIS army!

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# 2 25-10-2003 , 08:11 AM

The Maya Mountain
Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: Seattle, WA

Posts: 8,245

The only way I know of for one piece of geometry to morph into 2 targets is to first create one, then duplicate it and make it into the 2nd without adding or taking away any geometry and using a blend shape. Not exactly easy. The most likely way would be some sort of blend between two different models, whether it's a particle effect or whatever to hide the transition.

-Mike
The Maya Toolbelt

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# 3 26-10-2003 , 03:48 AM

Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003

Location: lost... and I'm NOT asking directions!! (psst... could you tell me where I am?)

Posts: 33

That's the method I use to simulate speech. I've tried using a blend shape to morph a sphere into a cube, but to no avail. If it can't do that then it certainly can't do what I'm talking about.

I have two completely separate models that I intend to use for this effect, so a blend shape won't really work for what I want.

Thanks for your help, though.

Me and THIS army!

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# 4 26-10-2003 , 01:37 PM

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Join Date: Sep 2002

Location: Chicagoland USA

Posts: 719

the best way ive found is t create 2 object one which will represent the original and match its geomentry, the other to match the second and its geometry. once i get there the hard part begins. morph both models half way to the others form, i use a script i got from highend 3d web site, then key the transparency so when they meet the same shape fade one out and the other in.

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# 5 26-10-2003 , 04:35 PM

Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003

Location: lost... and I'm NOT asking directions!! (psst... could you tell me where I am?)

Posts: 33

Wholly crap... I didn't even think to look for a script like that.

I found one. It works like a charm.

I just need to make the transitional model a much lower resolution for the script to do it's dirty work, but this is okay since I smooth them out later anyway.

thanks!

Me and THIS army!

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