Banana animation :)

[audun]

Hello animators.
Im going to animate a banana peel (is that what you call it?) in Maya. Its going to fall and hit some geometry. Just wanted some general advice on what tools/methods to use for this task. I guess some sort of mix between bones and deformers would do it. I havent really touched much of Maya's animation capabilities yet, so I would love to hear your suggestions.
Thanks for your time.
Audun

[mark-burgess]

In my opinion, I'd model the inside of the banana of course then make a "hand" type object that represents the peel of the banana and build an IK chain going up each peel.

Then use the IK handles to pull down each peel.

I figure that would work, haven't tried it myself but it would get you away from having to use deformers.

Just my .0000002 cents,

Scott Luscombe

[audun]

Thanks Scott
Skeletons seems to do it. Can't really figure out how to use IK for back peel, as the joints are bending the "wrong" way. Back to manuals....
Audun

[jhgiii06]

Hey Audun
I must admit that I'm Softie but I was doing something close to this in Maya as a test. If you put skeletons up the banana peel section and then use the spline IK tool on it you will have a four point curve that sets the deformation of the chain. If you duplicate this spline IK and create a blend shape for the origial spline IK, you should be able to use the non-linear deform or just target shapes that you can blend between. If the banana does not animate elsewhere this should do. If it does you may want to consider setting up a SDK (set driven key) on it with a locator controler. If this is not clear enough for you,let me know and I;ll get into further detail of the setup. Good luck bro.

Whiskey