Linking 3D Models and Effects

In this tutorial, we describe the procedure for using 3D Link to link models and effects exported from 3DEditor.

3D Link is a feature that generates an effect at the specified time and place in a 3D model.

An effect can be created while checking its current state in the Viewer.

The basic procedure is given below.

• Preparing to Use 3D Link
• Creating New Links
• Editing Links
• Checking Link Status

Preparing to Use 3D Link

Preparing a 3D model

To link with a 3D model, you must first transfer the model from 3DEditor to the Viewer.

The 3D model used in this tutorial is located in the folder given below.

Load all files in this folder into 3DEditor.

" SampleData/Effect/Intermediate/ManualResource/Model_Link/3DEditor_Data "

For information on using 3DEditor, see the 3DEditor manual.

For details on using the Viewer, see the Viewer manual.

Creating a new project

On the main menu, select File > New > Project to open a dialog box for creating new projects.

Without changing the project name, just press OK.

Loading effects

On the main menu, select File > Open, and load all effect data and texture data located in the Model Link folder.

Brief comments on each effect are given below.

• Change Model_Link_Fire_Effect to flame from a rocket
• Model_Link_Line_Effect effect→Rocket movement effect line
• Model_Link_Smoke_Effect effect→Smoke from rocket

Creating New Links

You can create link data inside the Project window.

New links can be created in the following ways.

• Press Add a new link on the Project window tool bar to open a dialog for creating a new link.

Without changing the link name, just press OK to create link data on the Project window.

Editing Links

You can display a 3D Link window where you can set parameters.

Displaying the 3D Link window

The 3D Link window can be displayed in three ways.

• Double-click the link to be edited.
• Select the link to be edited and press Properties window on the main window toolbar.
• Select the link to be edited and press Ctrl+P.

The following is an image of the 3D Link window.

Getting 3DEditor information

Press Get information from Viewer to get 3D model information exported from 3DEditor from the Viewer.

Hereafter, this is the Get information from Viewer button.

Selecting the link model

Select the 3D model to be linked based on information obtained from the Viewer.

Select Model_Link from Select Target Model.

Editing lists

Set Node Name, Effect Name, Create and Follow for the list as follows.

Selecting the node to link

Select one node for emitting an effect per line From the Node Name column.

Selecting Effects

Select the effect to be emitted from the selected node from the Effect Name column.

Particles under the selected effect can be grouped together and influenced by the node.

Specifying emission timing

Effect emission timing is specified in the Create column.

Start specifies the time to start emitting an effect from a specified node.

Continue specifies the time to stop emitting an effect from a specified node.

Follow node settings

You can specify whether an effect is separately being influenced by the scale, rotation, or translation of a node.

If there is more than one particle under a single effect, set Follow effect to either ON or OFF for all of them. Effects will not be correctly linked if this setting differs.

For details on the Follow effect setting, click here.

Checking Link Status

You can check the link status by transferring edit results to the Viewer.

You can transfer data to the Viewer using any of the following three methods.

• On the 3D Link window menu, select Preview > 3D Link preview.
• Press 3D Link preview on the toolbar.
• Use the F5 shortcut key.

From this point on, the 3D model and effect are linked.

Always put the main mode display in Effect mode first before checking the status with the Viewer.

Controlling the viewer playback range

Use the viewer controls to specify the playback range of the animation using the Viewer.

The following methods are used to display Viewer Controls.

• On the main window menu, select Tools > Viewer Controls.

Be sure to set Viewer Controls as follows.

With these settings, the animation can be made to repeat on the Viewer from Frame 0 to Frame 270.

• Viewer playback range ON
• Start 0
• End 270

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