What is Newtonphysics helper plugin?

What does it do &how do we use it?


Can anyone find this on the forum? Any documentation anywhere?

Where did you find it? Was it in V17? Since Newton is 3rd party code, it could be something that links you to some official Newton resources. I was wondering if V17 will implement the 'NEW' Newton Code, which features rag-doll physics, among other refinements.

No I think its been around for a while. At least sense version 15.

RMB on a model. >Wizards>Newtonphysics helper.

I could sure use some help with newton. But I don't know where to start with this plugin.

Any ideas?

I'm foggy on the Newtonphysics helper but...

If you haven't spent some time with Steffen's original tutorials you really should!

http://www.sgross.com/plugins/plugin6/samples.html

Rodney--- Awesome Link --thanks-----thanks Steffen.

I'm still clueless on the NewtonPhysics Helper thingy but...

Don't forget that Matt (John Bigboote) Campbell has a great starting place for working in Newton Physics in the form of a comic book page:


Source: http://www.hash.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=33186

Project files and discussion via the source link.
Note: We tend to forget that while Newton Dynamics does produce great animated movement it is best used as a starting place for our animation. You can produce even better and more efficient animation when you use Newton to create your keyframes and then delete unnecessary inbetweens. You then can go in and supply your own breakdowns, inbetweens, interpolations and interpretations on things. This is similar to Mocap which supplies keyframes in a similar way but also supplies entirely too many inbetweens. Git rid o' them! Of course ALWAYS SAVE your Project BEFORE DELETING anything then you can go back and create new variations on the basic theme. With those keyframes in place you are set to move forward and easily change/retime/animate/express/exaggerate/....

hey Rodney--this is cool too thanks---Currently I am testing things with the cloth sim ....but physics is my next spot so you saved me some time --thanks.

So NewtonPhysics helper is officially unknown by this entire community and no documentation on it anywhere?

I have read through everything and cant find any doc on it.

I will make a report to steffen asking for some sort of documentation or tutorial.

From the v15g release notes


that's the only mention on the forum I found.

Thanks Robert

I'm working with the ExplodeRebuild plugin for a scene in "Nightcallers" and maybe I can add some info here as I make progress.

I use Newton Helper when I create my own groups instead of have ExplodeRebuild create them. It's basically, you create your groups, make sure that groups have names beginning with "Explode_####" and then run Newton Helper and it generates the bones for all the groups.

I create my own groups because I want the model to break apart into the shapes I am wanting.

Thanks for the info Ernest.
That sounds useful for things other than exploding things... generating and auto-assigning bones to Groups that is.
Hmmm.... note to self.

Excellent idea Rodney

oh excellent idea Rodney...hadn't thought about that. I'm mostly always thinking about blowing things up hehe

There is some more documentation here:

http://www.hash.com/NewtonPhysics/

I've put the info mentioned in this post in the wiki NewtonPhysics page.