DSpline : Daemon DSpline

Owned by thomas (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 11 Aug, 2016
3 min read

This daemon creates a force field along a customizable path. Here is how to create and edit such a daemon: 

  • Create a spline with Cinema 4D's built-in tools.

  • Drag the spline to the “Spline Object” entry.

  • To change the path's shape, change to “Point” mode and shift the points.

Very nice effects can be achieved with animated splines, e.g. a "Cycloid" with an animated "End Angle".

The daemon's control panel is subdivided into two sections:

Daemon Spline

 

Linked Fluids

All fluid containers inside the drag-and-drop field will be affected by the daemon. The first fluid container in the scene is linked automatically, others have to be attached manually.

Affect

There are two options:

  • "Force" accelerates the particles and they become faster and faster as long as the force is acting on them. 
  • “Velocity” only works with particles and adds the daemon's "Strength" value to a particles speed. The resulting peak velocity remains constant during the simulation.
    An example: Let's assume the daemon's "Strength" is 9.8 and the emitter's "Speed" value is 2.0. Here, a particle's velocity will be roughly 11.8 m/s.
Vortex Strength

Here you can enter a global multiplier for the individual control points' “Vortex” values. Positive values create a clockwise rotation, negative settings create a counter-clockwise rotation around the spline's path.

Axial Strength

Here you can enter a global multiplier for the individual control points' “Axial” values. Positive values create an attraction effect towards the spline, negative settings create a repulsion.

Radial Strength

Here you can enter a global multiplier for the individual control points' “Radial” values. Positive values create an attraction to the spline's control points, negative settings create a repulsion effect.

Close Spline

This option creates a connection between the spline's end points.

Reverse Spline

If you want to flip the control points' order please activate the checkbox.

Control

Here it is possible to browse through the individual control points and edit them separately. All values will be multiplied with the associated strength settings from above, e.g.:

Total axial force = Axial Strength * Axial

Add

Add a new control point after the selected control point.

Delete 

Delete the selected control point. 

Previous | Next

Click on these buttons for selecting the previous or next control point.

Offset

You can change the selected control point's position on the spline with this value, e.g.

  • 0.0. The control point is moved to the spline's start.
  • 0.5. The control point is moved to the spline's midpoint.
  • 1.0. The control point is moved to the spline's end.
Axial

Set the control point's individual axial strength. Positive values create an attraction effect towards the spline, negative settings create a repulsion.

Radial

Set the control point's individual axial strength. Positive values create an attraction to the spline's control point, negative settings create a repulsion effect.

Vortex

Set the control point's individual vortex strength. Positive values create a clockwise rotation, negative settings create a counter-clockwise rotation around the spline's path.

Radius

The circle around a control point indicates the forces' scope or radius. Only particles inside a circle (or better: sphere) will be affected. The circle's size can be controlled with the yellow dot in the viewport as well.

Helper

When active, the spline's force field is displayed as green circles around the spline. This is the area, or better: volume, where particles will be affected.