Tutorial 4 - Using Reactor

In this tutorial, we had to learn how to use Rigid Body Collections and Soft Body Collections in order to create an animation. The example we were given to start off with involved two blocks, with one block colliding on another. Reacto allows you to modify the gravity of the object and control how an object falls during an animation. There are three different modifiers which can create difference effects; mass, friction and elasticity. The mass of an object controls the amount of gravity that the object has. The friction controls the amount of kinetic energy which passes between the objects. The elasticity of an object gives the object a bounce appearance. After adjusting this options, the video below is my finished result for this part of the tutorial:

Next, we had to apply this knowledge in order to create a realistic bowling alley. The objects were imported into 3D Studio Max and a collection was created. All of the objects within the scene were added to this collection. The blue symbol indicates the collection however when the animation is rendered, this is not displayed onscreen.

The mass of the ball and the pins was adjusted. Then, using autokey, I moved the ball forwards over 5 frames. To add a more realistic effect to the movement of the ball, I slightly rotated it during this 5 frame period to give it spin.

After applying materials to the objects, creating the animation and then rendering it, the video below is my final result: