Bending a barbell

Apr 06

Bending a barbell

Posted in: 3DS Max

I am animating a cartoon weightlifter lifting a heavy barbell and I would like the bar to bend under the weight as he lifts it. This is simple enough to achieve with a Bend modifier, however I would also like to have the weights attached to the bar rotate accordingly as the bar bends. Currently the bar itself bends but the weights float in space.

I am fairly new to 3D, I come from a compositing background so I do understand many of the concepts but just don’t know how to actually make them work. Could you link the bending of the bar to drive a parameter that moves the weights accordingly as if they are fixed to the bar. Any suggestions? I’m using Max 2011.

Thanks.

PS: This is for a university assignment which is due soon so please help asap! 🙂

No Responses to “Bending a barbell”

Hasta La Motion!