Skip to main content
A
Ana5E66
Participant
November 30, 2023
Question

Move a grid of balls from one form to another

  • November 30, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 205 views

Hi guys, 

 

I'm trying to move a static grid of balls from one arrangement into another one. I want them to be static, then move in a freeform (not linearly) to arrange themselves in a different way, and stay static again. Any ideas on how I can do that? 

 

I tried using Trapcode in particular but can't find a way to keep the balls static again. I created particles (yellow) on a grid, then created another transparent system (the grey one, here I increased the opacity a little bit for you to see) with the new arrangement and turned on flocking. The first grid form is the predator and the second is the prey, so they move in a freeform towards the new grid arrangement, but the balls won't stay still.

 

Any other effects I could use, or any way I can keep them static once they're done with the move? 

 

Any help is very much appreciated.

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

ShiveringCactus
Community Expert
ShiveringCactusCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 30, 2023

I just had a play around with CC Ball Action.  It might be worth seeing if that effect can do what you're after:

 

If you mess with the scatter, rotation and twist properties you can create a transform like effect that can return to static positions.

Mylenium
Mylenium
Legend
November 30, 2023

Play around with the viscosity settings and/ or the fluid solver. Flocking in particle sims has a completely different meaning than in the real world, anyway. If you need perfect control, this is likely a task for a 3D program, a plug-in like Plexus and/ or at least a case of importing 3D objects in particular that have a proper point count so the particles can latch on to the vertices. Swarming stuff is unfortunately still one of those things where even in a 3D program you have to employ a lot of tricks with intermediate objects/ states aand other stuff, so don't expect a perfect solution by just dialing a few knobs.

 

Mylenium

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices