Stephen Culley - Freelance Animator / Artist

LScript - Modeler_Cable

2012-02-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

Modeler - Cable - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This script creates cables between selected points. You can select more than two points to make it create multiple cables.

All cables are UV Mapped and fully setup for animation in LightWave by just cutting and pasting the two point polys (Surface:DYNAMIC) to one lable the cables (surface:Cable) in the next layer parenting cables to the Dynamic layer.

LScript - Motion_Wheel&Axle

2011-09-13T04:39:00.001-07:00

Motion - Wheel&Axle (MotionBaker)

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

A powerful script for rotation of an axle based on collsion with a plane, dynamics, friction and momentum. It can correctly calculate rotation for axles with varying profiles from barrels to bike tyres. The ground plane can be rotated and orientated in any way.

*Master_MotionBaker compatible.

Scaling on X,Y are averaged if not equal.
Objects to rotate must rotate around center on B axis.
Roughness has been added to add noise to surface friction.
Fully validated and interactive interface.
Fully implemented envelopes for animating all controls.
Gizmo implemented to improve setting up.
Presets added for damping, friction and roughness.
*Motion Baking implemented for quicker playback and network baking.
Motion blur is correctly calculated.
Realtime dynamicly calculated with momentum, friction, roughness, damping, braking and acceleration.

Problems

Automatic mode currently works using object bounding box extents. Due to problems retrieving mesh layer number it can return the wrong extents. Best solution is to save wheel or any object that plugin is to be applied as seperate objects.

LScript - Master_AutoRefresh

2011-09-13T04:24:00.000-07:00

Master - AutoRefresh - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

Applying this master script auto refreshes Layout while animating to keep many scripts uptodate in realtime. It is very useful and required by many scripts inorder for them to process correctly.

LScript - Master_MotionBaker

2011-09-13T04:16:00.000-07:00

Master - MotionBaker - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

use with Motion_Wheel&Axle, Motion_Slider, Motion_Dangle, Motion_OceanBuoyancy

This is the master script used by all of my *Motion Baker capable scripts.

It allows all scripts in Layout that have a custom built in motion baker capability to be calculated at the same time with use of a simple interface. It can override settings such as Read, Writre and Disable.

Calculate : This processes all keys in time line between start frame and end frame and sets all compatible scripts to "Read" on completion. Redraw is used to enable preview during calculation.

Read : Sets all compatible scripts to read baker data from either array or enveloped depending on implementation.

Write : Sets all compatible scripts to write data to either array or envelope depending on implemention.

Disable : Sets all compatible scripts to disable use of *Motion Baker.

Implementation

If you wish to use the same interface on your own scripts, you may use the code below. This code is the variables and basic connection to the ComRing to set state. You need to implement some way to store and read back data. Read tells your script that it should read baked data. Write tells your script that it should process and then save its data. Reset is there for scripts that require a starting variable to be reset prior to being processed. Disable simply disables Motion Baker being used.

    // Motion Baker
    bMotionBakerParent; // Parent
    iMotionBakerState; // State

            // 1 = Disabled
            // 2 = Reset
            // 3 = Write
            // 4 = Read
create :
{
    // Motion Baker
    bMotionBakerParent = false; // Parent
    iMotionBakerState = 2; // Reset
     // Comring
    comringattach("*MotionBaker","comring_motionbaker"); // Comring *MotionBaker
}

destroy
{
    // Comring
    comringdetach("*MotionBaker"); // Comring *MotionBaker
}

// COMRING

comring_motionbaker: event,data
{

    // Parent
    ParentItem = Item.parent;
    iParent = 1;
    while(ParentItem != nil)
        {
        iParent++;
        ParentItem = ParentItem.parent;
        }

    if(event != 0 && event != iParent)
        {
        return;
        }

    sMessage = comringdecode(@"s:200"@,data);
    if(strlower(sMessage) == "disable") // Disable
        {
        iMotionBakerState = 1;
        }
    if(strlower(sMessage) == "reset")
        {
        iMotionBakerState = 2; // Reset
        }
    if(strlower(sMessage) == "write")
        {
        iMotionBakerState = 3; // Write
        }
    if(strlower(sMessage) == "read")
        {
        iMotionBakerState = 4; // Read
        }
    if(strlower(sMessage) == "parent") // Parent
        {
        bMotionBakerParent = true;
        }

    // Requester
    if(reqisopen())
        {
        bRequesterUpdate = true; // Update
        setvalue(ctrl_mb,iMotionBakerState); // Motion Baker
        bRequesterUpdate = false; // Update
        }
}

Contact Me

2011-08-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

I have updated my profile with new contact address, to reach me you can use email@stephenculley.co.uk and to find me on the internet my blogsite can also be reached from http://www.stephenculley.co.uk.

If you have any questions please feel free to leave comments or contact me any time.

Pogo - http://www.pogomix.net/

2011-06-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

I very rarely plug other peoples work, but for a change I am going to. For a while now I have been listening to Nick Bertke, better known as Pogo, his remixes and videos. His music to some is a hate love affair, many people may not forgive for the lack of lyrics but maybe they miss the point, his music to me is purely a feel thing, That feeling you get when you were young and your favourite film comes on, you don't really know why but your glued to it all the same, that feeling is in his work from start to end.

He has worked hand in hand and on occasion at odds with many studios, including Disney and Pixar, with his famous remix Upular featuring samples and animation from Pixar's Up.

Here are some of my favourites, enjoy.

LScript - Custom_Shadow

2011-06-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Custom - Shadow - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

Error found by erikalst has now been fixed.
Shadow will nolonger disappear if object drops below ground plane.

This script adds a shadow visual aid to Layout. It is purely a visual cue for objects positioned or sitting on the ground plane.

There are two types available

Simple - Basic distance from ground plane.
Complex - Raytraced style shadow. (experimental)

LScript - Modeler_StitchWeldAverage

2011-06-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Modeler - StitchWeldAverage - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This script works like average weld points but in selected pairs. This allows you to average weld multiple selected points in one go instead of needing to weld individually.

LScript - Modeler_StitchWeld

2011-06-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Modeler - StitchWeld - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This script works like welding points but in selected pairs. This allows you to stitch multiple selected points in one go instead of needing to weld individually.

LScript - Modeler_RestOnGround

2011-06-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

Modeler - RestOnGround - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This script is a simple single click version of rest on ground which only translates selected points so that they rest on the y plane.

Update

2011-06-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

Well, today I have uploaded a few of my LScripts I have sitting about on my computer. I have so many and more will come.

I thought it might be nice to give an idea of what I have currently been working on. For my folio I decided to do some more effects work. LightWave has always lacked to some degree when simulating and animating boats or marine related subjects. For this reason I decided I would produce some short sequences with water, waves and motion. I have always been fascinated by the sea, more so probably because I live less than a minute away from the seaside. I have tried many times to produce something sea related and every time I hit some issues with where I wanted to get to... so I decided to really attack it and produce something concrete and working.

So far I have spent roughly a month experimenting, studying, taking trips down to the beach and poking thigns with sticks. From my many trips things have really come on. I have a small list of expectations that I aimed for this project. The one thing I did not want is a full simulation, it needed to be controlled and keyable as much as possible.

Animations will be coming soon, but for now here are some images to show some of my test objects. These are mainly test rigs set up prior to script development. Currently the scripts drive dynamic ocean waves with fully dynamic and interactive floating object motion. Objects can sink, float, be lifted and dropped in to the water as well as be affected by animated weight distribution. Dangling objects can be driven to swing in the air and drag when in the water. Particles in the sea react to surface waves.

Rigged - Crabbing boat


Rigged Buoy


Rigged Buoy

Ocean wave simulation based on Beafort Scale

LScript - Image_Shutter

2011-06-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

Image Filter - Shutter - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This script adds a projector style flicker to an aniamtion.

LScript - Image_Noise

2011-06-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

Image Filter - Noise - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This script applies random noise in three different modes, monochrome, color, exposure and fBm noise.

Exposure adds noise only to darker areas as they appear in real life photos.

fBm is a perlin based noise using Fractal Brownian Motion.

LScript - Image_Exposure

2011-06-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

Image Filter - Exposure - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This simulates how over exposure on a photo bleeds to over expose areas of an image in to white.

Before - Red Light 200%

After - Red Light 200%

LScript - Image_Duo

2011-06-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Image Filter - Duo - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This script applied a two tone colour effect from two selected colours.

LScript - Image_Black&White

2011-06-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Image Filter - Black&White - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

Simple black & white image filter.

LScript - Modeler_Snap

2011-06-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Modeler - Snap - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

This script snaps points in different ways to other points.

It can align points in linear, either side of currently selected points or by making points snap to there nearest neighbour a set distance away.

LScript - Modeler_2PointPolyChain

2011-06-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

Modeler - 2PointPolyChain - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

A script to produce 2 poitn poly chains between two selected points.

LScript - Modeler_2PointPoly

2011-06-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

Modeler - 2PointPoly - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

A script to produce standalone 2 point polys for use with "VOLT" and some other of my lscripts. It produces 2 point poly's that are unconnected and all located at <0.0,0.0,0.0> that can then be displaced inside of layout.

LScript - Motion_Shift

2011-06-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

Motion - Shift - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

A script to shift channels by another objects or parent motion. It is a easier way to setup offsets for shifted pivot setups where an object parented to another can shift its pivot back to place to allow its parent pivot to move freely.

Lscript - Motion_Limit

2011-06-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

Motion - Limit - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

A script to min/max a selected channel which can be applied after any motion plugin or script.

LScript - Motion_Channel

2011-06-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

Motion - Channel - download

compatible with Newtek LightWave 9.6 and above.

A script to make one selected channel drive another selected channel.

LScript - Motion_Axle

2011-06-10T09:36:00.001-07:00

Motion - Axle

no longer available.

This version is no longer in development and has now been replaced by Motion_Wheel&Axle.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T18:28:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas, My collection of Disney memorabilia is growing, I have this suspicion people think, "Ermm.. what do I get Stephen.." and then go.. "oh... hes an animator, he likes Disney".. which is fair.. because I do.. especially old school 1940's Mickey.. you know, black and white and very cheeky.... I also like white chocolate *hint hint*. Its been a really nice Christmas, see the family, meet old friends and enjoy a bit of down time.... less than 12 months til the next.

Happy New Year! Its really weird, ive been engaged since October now and it still seems odd, all new experiences, my first New Year with new family and friends... I wish everyone all the best.

I hope 2011 is magical for everyone, keep well, treasure every tiniest of moments... buy me more Mickeys!

Stephen x

Well.. I've started.... so lets begin with some good news!

2010-12-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

So... here we go, I've started a blog.... I used to have a website at http://www.stephenculley.co.uk but now it redirects here. This is for many reasons, mainly being I have so much happening right now, using a blog site makes my life that little less hectic.

Good news... oh yes.. im engaged.... In October I went to Disneyland Paris, for the Halloween Party on the 31st with my then girlfriend Sarah, during which I asked her to marry me, she said "yes", which doesn't take a genius to figure out that makes her my fiancee. Were hoping to get married sometime in a year and half from now.

Blog, right, so welcome to my blog. This is from now on where I will show my work, explore animation, experiences with software and resources along with write tutorials for my friends and students to read. Primarily as an animator I use Maya and LightWave so most of my 3D animation related posts here will be based around those.

Lots coming soon!

Disneyland Paris