Stick Locator

By Mayec · Credited author: Mayec Rancel · 2009-12-25

Version: 1.2
Version requirement: This script has been tested in 3ds max 2010 x64, running on Windows Vista.
Date updated: 2009-12-25
Votes: 23
Homepage: http://www.mayec.eu/
Download: Download

Description

Stick Locator
=============
version 1.2

written by Mayec Rancel

(macroScript)

Description:
Creates a point dummy, and parents it to the reference object's vertex/center,
using controller expressions.

This is useful to parent other objects to a specific part of a deforming
mesh, or an object whose transforms have been 'baked' (e.g. point cache).

I have found it specially useful, in FX work, for particle/fluid emitters.

Notes:
- Only the 'center' method can be used with splines.
- When using 'vertex' method, the dummy's rotation will align to the
vertex's normal.

Compatibility:
This script has been tested in 3ds max 2010 x64, running on Windows Vista.

Additional Info

Setup: 1. Copy "stickLocator_v1.2.mcr" to your scripts folder (e.g. "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2009\Scripts") 2. Execute "stickLocator_v1.2.mcr" script file from 3ds max, to register the macroScript. 3. Go to "Customize > Customize User Interface". In Category "Mayec Tools" you will find "Stick Locator" which you can drag to a toolbar to have as a button, or associate it with a hotkey, etc VERSION HISTORY =============== Stick Locator v1.2 ================== Additions --------- * Added the "pick vertex" feature. * Simplified the whole interface/workflow. * Basic smart-filtering by object type (if spline, won't allow 'vertex', if dummy or point, won't appear in the multi-list box.) ======================================================== For this script and more, visit http://www.mayec.eu/

Comments (3)

A mi me pasa el mismo problema

ma55acre · 2012-01-23

Cuando coloco el point en el vertice y le doy que locate. Me hace en la lista de controles el scripting y el euler de posición y rotación, están activos y no el script.
Y el cluster se queda quieto en el lugar y no sigue el vertice.

Me aparece igual que el usuario tothebridge.

saludos y gracias por le herramienta.

tothebridge · 2010-02-02

Hey Mayec,

I'm getting the following error when I reload a scene that has used the script to attach a dummy to vertex. Everything works initially, but when the scene is saved and then reloaded, see attachement.

Hope you can work out a fix, this is Max 2010 32bit running Win 7 SP1 & latest hotfix installed.

Attachments

sticklocator_error.jpg — sticklocator_error.jpg276 KB

Mayec · 2010-05-08

Hi tothebridge. I'm sorry, first for seeing your comment so late, and second because I cannot reproduce the error you are having. If I stick a locator to an object's vertex, save the scene, and then open it again, everything is fine. I am also using Max 2010.

Can you check that the object you applied the locator to is still in the scene? I say this because that error looks like the one I get when you delete the driving node, without deleting the locator helper first. Then the locator's expression doesn't find the object it is refering to.

If this is not the cause for the issue, can you give me more clues as to what your Cylinder01 object had on it? any modifiers or anything special applied to it? Maybe send me the scene?