MultiJoint Crane

In this scene, a MultiJoint is used to lift some cargo. The setup works similar to a crane.

The scene setup for this tutorial.

Here is the nodes list:

• 1 “Cross” object (cargo)
• 2 “Cube” objects (crane and ground)
• 1. “Null” object (locator)
• 1 “Gravity” daemon
• 1 “MultiJoint” node

All scene elements can be added from RealFlow's “Edit” menu:

• Add > Objects | Daemon
• RealFlow nodes can be moved, scaled, and rotated with the W, R, and E keys.
• Imported objects from SD files have to be unlocked before they can be transformed with Selected object > Node Params > Node > SD ↔ Curve
• Viewport perspective is changed with the 1, 2, 3, and 4 keys.
• Shading modes are toggled with the 7, 8, 9, and 0 keys.

The Setup

• Add a cube object and rescale/position it to your needs. This node (“Cube01”) will serve as the ground.

• Create a cross object, rotate it by 45 degrees (Node Params > Node > Rotation) and place it on top of the ground node.

• Another cube node is placed above “Cross01”.

• A null (“Null01”) is placed directly below the mounting.

• “Gravity” introduces a force.

All polygon objects are passive rigid bodies, except the sphere (active rigid body):

• Selected node > Node Params > Node > Dynamics

Now, add a MultiJoint and open its “Creation” panel under “Node Params”:

• Objects A > Cube02
• Objects B > Cross01
• Creation mode > At Locators Positions
• Locators > Null01
• Create/Recreate

Animating the “Crane” Node

The “Cube02” node is animated using two keyframes. The motion is a combination of a vertical and a slightly horizontal displacement:

• Drag the timeline slider to frame 0

• Right-click on the appropriate “Position” values, choose “Add key”

• Drag the timeline slide to frame 75

• Mode the “Crane” node to its final position

• Right-click on the appropriate “Position” values, choose “Add key”

The Simulation

Click on “Simulate” to see the results.