The path tools really need work for iclone 6 release. I am not trying to rag out or rant here.
I genuinely enjoy working with the iclone. There are many things that make some joy for me.
I have found intermittent problems when I use path. I am reluctant to use it.
The procedures for creating and editing paths have their own issues as well.
Example:
I was working with 3 avatars 3 paths, when the elevator doors opened they each had their own set path. The avatars were to walk out of the elevator on their own individual path to advance into the scene and make a sweeping turn to the left and walk "in human terms" about 20 feet and stop.
Each avatar was set on the timeline to walk out of the elevator on at a time. In other words, to give each avatar time to be clear of the other avatars when walking.
Stupidly, sometimes they would walk out on the path assigned to them respectively. Other times they would take the path of one of the other avatars. I did not change the assigned paths in the timeline. This kind of action took place on reruns of the project.
I thought this must be that 3 paths were defined in close proximity to each to start. In other words I had to allow space for the path away from the elevator doors on each side and space for the paths of each avatar.
I also had just about as much space as possible for the avatars to make large sweeping turns to avoid them crossing over to another path. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.
The end result. I worked the project with as few walking scenes as possible. This is really not in the spirit of good production. You need avatars walking, walking and talking when the need is there.
I didn't solve my problems, but I did finally do this. I right clicked avatar clicked perform/walk forward and then selected a path icon. This worked better than trying to create and path clearly defined in increments of movement along the path line.
I finally got the avatars into the scene, arriving from the elevator and leaving the scene by walking into the elevator.
Clearly, the final steps for avatars following a path are bad as well. Maybe, there is a fix for this as well I've not read. I have been cutting to above waist shots when the avatars conclude their little walk on the path. This was when I used several different avatar persona.
I just could not get them to stop directly. Some kind of stutter steps at the end.
Next, What about the edit path. What is that rotate tool? I finally gave up trying to turn those little icons with that tool. I really don't understand that yellow ring thing, and what I read in the docs didn't declare it's mysteries. What happened to the standard rotate tool we use throughout the rest of iclone?
My solution to edit the path....I deleted the troubling path and created a new path. The edit tool is just not good. This is not a well done, or competent tool as it is. It is just one more major time waster and cause for infuriation, especially after you have expended over an hour trying to get something done.
Dismiss me, as you will. I believe there are plenty of other iclone users that "enjoy" similar strange behavior and fails with path. This is a major tool for use in iclone and it should be addressed and reworked for easy competent use.
Edited
10 Years Ago by
rampart