Flexible animated parts in assemblies (actually working!) (well, really more of a workaround...)

alnis

Sneak peek for a tutorial I'll be making soon, just had to share when I figured this out


Note that the trick used here is not suitable for production models or anything like that. Rather, this is just to make things look good where assembly structure and performance are not priorities.

This is all using existing built-in functionality that's been available for years, with no extensions, add-ins, or anything else!

NeilCooke

Spill the beans!

alnis

@NeilCooke will do! Just need to find the time to clean up the strategy and record the video

It involves linear relations and creative use of patterns to generate a bunch of 3D "frames"/snapshots of the flexible model, then swapping out the model for each step of the animation by using a carefully chosen number of animation steps and slider relation ratio

MichaelPascoe

  

EvanReese

Yeah, spill the beans, Alnis!

john_mcclary

john_mcclary

alnis said:

@NeilCooke will do! Just need to find the time to clean up the strategy and record the video

It involves linear relations and creative use of patterns to generate a bunch of 3D "frames"/snapshots of the flexible model, then swapping out the model for each step of the animation by using a carefully chosen number of animation steps and slider relation ratio

I don't know what you mean by 'swaping out the model' are you just taking a bunch of (pre-rendered) models that are sitting somewhere offscreen or obstructed and using the linear relation to scroll juggle them in sequence???

alnis

@john_mcclary yes, exactly like that! They are spaced far apart and the linear relation moves from one to the next by the exact amount needed to "replace" it in the model. Of course, this produces a lot of extra junk in the model, but I'm working on figuring out a workflow to keep things as clean & simple as possible using configurations

john_mcclary

Yea, that's cool

here's my guess at what you did in 5 frames (so it's choppy, but I'm too lazy to mate up a bunch of frames right now..)

S1mon

@alnis
Any updates on this technique? Will we see anything about it at Onshape live?

alnis

@S1mon not at Onshape live, sorry maybe earlier?? Coursework really caught up with me but maybe I can procrastinate on some homework this weekend by making the tutorial...