I've had this idea for a fun project that will involve the Newton Dynamics feature in A:M.

Problem is... I haven't had the time to implement it yet. But I trust in YOUR abilities, so who's ready to shoot some skeet?

I'm looking for a project file a user can download and open to find an UNsimulated choreography containing the 'SKEET' target and roller-lane model, a skeet ball, and a launching/aiming mechanism that the user will place the ball into and simulate. The launching/aiming mechanism could be as simple as a tube or half-pipe that the user could aim left or right and depending on how high-up the user places the ball he/she would get more or less momentum for over/undershooting the target.

The end result will not only be fun to play and play with but will introduce new users to the simulation process and Newton's ease-of-use.

This is certainly not a paying gig, but anyone participating will get John Bigboote's lifelong appreciation and respect. Multiple skeet-scenarios and participants are welcome! Decals and extra details are loved. Multiple balls with varying weight, multiple lanes and launcher-device designs...YUP!

It might be neat to have a skeet rig where a chute is in charge of launching the ball, and there are pose sliders for the chute for location (left/right), direction/angle, and then length/height to affect the speed. In the animation, a boolean value could be used open a door to let the ball go down the chute.

It would be neat if there were some expression that could set a variable automatically when the ball entered into a particular receptacle and update the score. But now we're talking about more than just Newton simulation.

Anyways, set the values for location, direction, and height, simulate, and see how you did.

Does Newton simulate in HAMR? That would be the ideal way to do it.

That would be sweet...Newton IS originally from a game-engine, wasn't it? But even in the app a sim is not a swift process...it's not doggedly slow but it isn't swift either.

OK--- HERE IT IS! introducing the SKEET BALL CHALLENGE!!!

Download the V15 project file...aim the ball left to right...set the POSE SLIDER for the VELOCITY and SIMULATE! First player to post a movie(and prj file) with 1000 points gets... (let me think)

A SIMPSONS CHARACATURE of THEMSELVES and SPOUSE (or significant other) by JOHN BIGBOOTE! (you provide photo reference, prize will be awarded via emailled jpeg image 1000 X 600px)

Sample attached.

HAVE FUN!

the 'SPLASHSCREEN'.

It worked in the simulation but when I rendered it out it escaped/popped through the solid 1000 cylinder.

Click to view attachment

"deleted the longer attachment"

Click to view attachment

Aha! A bone!

I knew it!

This game is rigged! :-)

We've ALMOST got a winner! Fix that animation and you're in (This is a LEARNING excercise, tweek those settings.)... till then...competition is open! And remember, to win you will need to post a movie AND a .prj file...

Largento--- I had a bone in the Ball, but thought I had taken it out...either way it should simulate just fine...if you are hinting that a participant 'could' animate the ball into the 1000 hole by himself...just remember, I'll be looking at the 'prj file, so you better do a REALLY convincing job. Anyways, EVERY model has a base bone to it by default.

As of Saturday, December 6th, 2008- This contest is STILL OPEN!

If someone was REALLY EAGER to increase their odds, they 'could' drag 4 more instances of the 'BALL' model in and use the other 'SKEETS'... think how cool THAT animation would look! And I should mention... the Simpson's characature would make for a great holiday greeting. You choose the setting... Moe's bar...the couch...the Quikee Mart...

I decided to give this challenge a shot.

I tried several times and could not get the ball to go past the largest ring. It would get to the top of the ring and then drop straight down.

Whoohoo!!!!

WE HAVE A WINNER!

After examining Ken's project, and his 'drop' technique which got him the extra momentum needed to fly up to the 1000 ring- I determined that Ken's entry was the FIRST successful 1000 pointer! Congrats Ken! Send me an image (matt@campbellanimation.com) of you and your love, or your kids, or your dog...and I will 'Simpson-ize' it.

Meanwhile... I hope folks will still feel encouraged to give the 'Skeet-Ball Challenge' a whirl. Feel free to embellish the project, ask questions, render your results from other camera angles, or change the ball settings, dynamic settings, targets etc... Look for another Newton Dynamic challenge soon.

Congratulations Ken!

Thanks guys! Especially Matt for running the "contest" and making the prize. I also meant to compliment you on those simpson characters above. Really excellent. I'll send you over a picture, but I'm curious for the future, would you do this for payment? As you say, they make great gifts.

In an attempt to get a 1000 pointer myself... I dropped 5 balls simultaneously. After my 3rd or 4th try...one hit! I then offset the keyframes so the camera would catch their action and rendered a full movie with shadows and reflections.

Fun AND shiny!