Animated Drawings

[Laurel]

Hello

 

I'm in the process of creating 3D models that will ultimately by published on a website in order to illustrate certain aspects of the work we do. Our customers are not generally CAD (or often computer!) minded, and I had envisaged converting the drawings to .pdf format due to it's universal use.

 

This is ok for most of the models I have drawn, but I have one that would benefit from being viewed from different angles.

 

Rather than producing different views in the same drawing, it occurred to me that an animation of a view rotating around the object would be ideal. I don't, however know how to do this, or if it is even possible.

 

This would need to be easily downloadable, and not require any unusual specialist software to view.

 

I was thinking of something like an animated gif sort of thing, but am open to suggestions.

 

Any ideas?

[shift1313]

2007-2009 does have an animate function although i have never personally used it. I know you can easily do this in inventor. Under the tool bar tab up top with your rendering tools on it, i believe there is the animate button. I have 2007 at work i can play with. Are you only looking to rotate around a component that is stationary? If so you can create a camera view and rotate the camera.

[Patrick Hughes]

I would look into publishing to DWF and maybe even look at having your DWF hosted by Autodesk Freewheel. This would allow your potential customers to rotate the model however they see fit as well as zoom in\out etc.

 

I've got a DWF on my web site in the gallery section that although it is not hosted by Freewheel it might give you an idea. It's a sizeable file so it will take some patience to load.

 

The Freewheel option prevents the need for an active-x control being downloaded by you visitors.

[Patrick Hughes]

Actually your idea of an animated gif is a good one also. Look for a freeware called "Unfreeze". If you can create a series of gifs it will create the animation.

[fuccaro]

I would turn to blocks the pieces to be moved/rotated and I would use lisp routines to animate. Animation can be seen from within AutoCAD, or better saved as animated gif. See this old thread:

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?t=883

[Laurel]

Thanks very much everybody - You've given me a lot to think about.

 

I'm sure I'll have more questions later when I've had the chance to look at your suggestions