I'm trying desperately to get SimCloth to work with a model I've created. I've downloaded the "DianeDress.prj" and have attempted to use it as a template. However, my model is a male model wearing two separate Cloth items - a shirt and a pair of pants. I continue to get an error message in the choreography when I select SimCloth simulate stating "spline irregularities and/or two quick of movement", though I believe I've made sure my clothing geometry doesn't cross my model's geometry.

Are there any definitive tutorials that address SimCloth in A:M 12v+ that can explain in detail the process from modeling and defining the materials properly through creating a successful action or choreography? A detailed tutorial from the author of "DianeDress" from inception to completion would be very helpful.

Also, how close to the model geometry do the attached groups (ie, waist) in the SimCloth's properties need to be?

Thank you,
Chris

I may have a tidbit or 2 of advice...

Firstly, There are big differences...improvements...between V12 Simcloth and V13's Simcloth. I would download V13 beta 3(?) and use it for cloth...it has the latest 'refinements' from the programmers.

Second, not much documentation at the moment, still too new and evolving to write something that may be obsolete in a month. There IS, however, a Forum called 'cloth'...lots af advice to be had.

Third, you are starting out quite ambitiously by going right to clothing. I too, want to do clothing and I think many more people do as well. I started out by doing simple 'draping' experiments to start understanding how the cloth simulator works, it's quite straightforward but there are things you need to know first, fundamentals. My cloth draping experiments can be seen in the Cloth forum.

Good luck! See you in the cloth forum!

Thanks for the advice. I do understand that clothing is an ambitious undertaking in A:M, and I expect to run into a steep learning curve, as I have in a lot of aspects of the software. That said, it seems there is ample documentation regarding SimCloth as a polygon modifier (pre-v.12) but none, it seems, regarding the new application. Even a rundown of what the different settings mean in the new SimCloth would be helpful. When I choose SimCloth simulate, even after playing with the settings, I get the same result - basically, a flapping cloth that is unwieldy and uncontrolled. Surely there is some simple advice regarding how to make it simulate clothing more subtly and smoothly.

In conclusion, I'll check out the forum on SimCloth again as well as download v.13 (though I'm still too green to comfortably mess with beta software - I run into problems knowing whether some anomaly is my fault or just a software glitch).

Thanks,
Chris

We appreciate your attempts Chris. It would be great to see what you are working on.

Beta 13 v3 is no big deal to download and start working with. You may be mistaken in thinking that V12's clothsim is perfected and v13's is still underdeveloped. Fact is, they are BOTH a w.i.p. but V13's is further developed and updated frequently while 12 is locked in a time capsule from 5/6/7 months ago.

IF you want to play with cloth on A:M, it is a fun and powerful feature that is under developement and proceeding quickly...do yourself a big favor...keep-up with the LATEST releases. Do nominal tests, get gradually more ambitious, and stay up with Hash's updates.

[quote name='John Bigboote' date='Jun 4 2006, 08:59 PM' post='179752']
We appreciate your attempts Chris. It would be great to see what you are working on.

John -

Thank you for your responses and insight as well as your interest in my work. The attached quicktime file is probably my best work in A:M so far, and I always appreciate comments and suggestions.

I've also done some 2d animating, an example of which can be found at http://www.toonboom.com/showcase/index.php...Non-Narrative=&

Thanks,
Chris

Hey! I remembe that cute girl animation...good stuff!

I see you use ToonBoom. I am looking for a 2Danimation solution...right now, I use Flash, Painter and After Effects for drawing animation, but I would like to have a dedicated solution...

Can you recommend TB or is there another software that is the best...

I am a die-hard TB enthusiast - very enjoyable software to use. I actually want to upgrade to Toom Boom Solo, but the price is too steep at this point. I've been using TB for almost 4 years and have had a good experience with the software and the company. I recently purchased Bauhaus Mirage because of a great crossgrade offer and because Mirage offers a lot of cool things that Toon Boom doesn't. Honestly, I find the Mirage interface unfriendly, although the people at Bauhaus seem knowledgeable and communicate pretty well. Mirage is, I think, a deeper program than TB, but as such has a much steeper learning curve, and the documentation is poor. The Mirage forum is not always helpful, either, and the dongle needed to use the software is, in my opinion, a minor annoyance. In short, I like what Mirage has to offer, but am too overwhelmed by the interface to recommend it. Toon Boom Studio is a very straightforward 2d program with good documentation and an interface which resembles traditional 2d cel animation. I have seen some great work done in After Effects, which I also have used. But, again, I find the interface not as friendly as Toon Boom's.

Thanks,
Chris