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Date: Fri, 14 Jul 1995 15:59:59 -0400 (EDT)
From: Joe Angell <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: International Race of Champions
To: David Roth <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
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> A few days ago I noticed an animation called International Race of Champions
> which consists of a checkerboard floor with a curved path apearing as the
> camera moves I tried imagining how I would do such an animation in LW and
> althogh it seems simple, I could think of no solution that would produce the
> same results. I thought of using an animated clip map for the path object
> but that would create a sharp edge that wouldn't look right.

I haven't seen the video, but I think I know what you mean: make a cool
curved path, and as the camera moves, the path kind "grows", sort of like
it is being drawn as the camera moves along.  This is pretty easy -- just
do a modification of the Saturn's Rings tutorial...

First, make your rail objects.  Make it a long, straight path, with lots
of segments for bending  (no, I don't think rail/path extrusion will
work due to the morphing we'll do later...).  Save this object as
RailStraight.lwo.

Now, using the bend tool (among others), warp the path into the cool
curved look you want.  Save this as RailMorph.lwo

Now, go into Modeller and load both objects.  Set RailMorph.lwo to 100%
disolved, and have RailStraight morph 100% into RailMorph (with no envelope).
Don't morph surfaces (I think; I'm not actually doing this now...)

OK, now you need something like DPaint to make a VERY simple image map.
Essentailly, it should be taller than wide, and only black & white (you
can add some fuzzyness at the edges if you want a smooth effect of the
path being drawn -- if you do, make the image VERY tall so the smooth
effect doesn't fall off too much too early).  This image will be used as
either a Clips Map (if only B&W) or a tranparency map (B&W or grey).

OK, now, just load that image into LW and apply it as the clip or
transparency map for the RailStraight object.  You'll have to play around
with the size settings to get the image to map right.  On frame one,
you'll want the image to be 100% cover by the transparent part of the map.
By assigning a texture velocity along the axis the straight path is
aligned on (um... right), the rail will appear to "grow" or be drawn.  If
you use a clip map or a B&W trans. map, you;ll get a sharp falloff.
Grey trans. maps will give you a smooth, ghostly fading-in effect, but
it'll be harder to size.  That should do it...

You might be able to use the Grid texture to simulate the same effect... I
don't know how well it will work though.  You'll also need to turn on
Double Sided when you're looking at the cut-off part, since clip and
trans. maps will let you see right through into the inside of the rail.

Hope this helps...

-- Joe

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