SC2Mapster

If you want to help, find a data method to identify the direction a unit is turning. Although I believe tirggers can tell that more easily and then just apply a turning right/left buff.

This will enable the application of smooth turning animations.

Hopefully I will not be responsible to the revival of the power ranger's megazords and the clunky movements we all grew up with.

No just we need to think carefully what joints will be needed. I am currently working on a flexible layout for a humanoid skeleton. I will post the exact list later.

Although 3d max could be useful for creating lower polygon stick models that allow proper tracking.

@Keyeszx: Go

What do you mean by that?

Once the skeleton is complete you can add whatever visuals you want. You could make it into a zerg behemoth, a menskbot or even a galactoss (yes a galactus rip).

Edit: If this is to become a serious project, here is the basic blueprint for making a basic skeleton. Feel free to make suggestions (relevant ones)

Composite Humanoid Skeleton

The X axis refers to stuff across the unit and the Y represents stuff through the unit Poles refer to actors which can have their scale changed to create offsets Joints are the Stick and rotating actor complexes used for rotation Due to the complexity of the skeleton it will be described in seperate section All parts are mentioned in sequence of connectivity unless stated otherwise

The Machina

This part is the behind the scenes for moving the whole model in various directions for use in flight animations or making it appear more ghost like and for adding a swagger to the walk

• From the unit core (maybe should be a sererate actor) is a downwards pointing z axis pole which is to reach what is hip height of the unit, this is for adding a spring to the step of walking

• This is followed by a vertical Y axis double stick (360) joint with the default facing back up along the pole, this is for bending the unit forward/back for crouches, getting on all fours and the superman flight position

• Onto that joint is a flight pole which is to usually reach the upper torso of the unit but can be used for flight/hover animations

• There is then a vertical Y axis single stick (<180) joint defaulting up to allow for ghost like hovering

• At an offset there is pole along the x axis to give more control over hovering but should default to the middle of the unit

• There is then a pendulum vertical x axis single stick (<90) joint defaulting downwards, this is to add a swing to the step of walking

• This then leads to an offset that is back at the hip region of the model onto which the actual model is attached

The Hips, Legs and Feet

Will include the option of prehensile feet

• From the hip offset of the machina there is a vertical x axis single stick (<90) joint defaulting downwards, to keep the hips more level while walking

• At offsets in the x and z directions there are then two mirrored x axis single stick (<180) joints (one for each leg) to all for compensation of any angles in the hip, allow karate kicks, sitting cross legged and to dance the twist

• From here on each leg will be described as a singular with the other being a mirror image along the yz plane

• Onto the previous joint a horizontal forwards facing single stick (<135) (45 in 90 out) joint will allow for turning animations

• Then a vertical Y axis double stick (360) joint with the default facing down will allow for raising the leg in either direction for the options of doing ballet like splits or even goosesteping

• After an offset in the -z direction there is a vertical Y axis single stick (<180) (only bend backwards) joint to act as a knee

• There is then another offset in the -z direction before a horizontal forwards facing single stick (>90) joint for rotating the feet/lower legs

• The feet begin with two opposing vertical Y axis single stick (<180) joints which default to facing forwards and backwards respectively

• The backward facing joint has a y offset leading to another vertical Y axis single stick (<90) joint which goes from flat to facing downwards for grasping

• The forwards facing joint has three y offsets leading to more vertical Y axis single stick (<135) joints to allow walking on the balls of the feet and to wriggle the toes when idle

• Onto the outer two joints there are mirroring horizontal forwards facing single stick (<60) joints to allow the splaying of toes/claws

Torso, Shoulders and Head

This incorporates some TurretZ containing models to allow for better target tracking

• Onto the hip offset of the machina there is a model with a TurretZ attachment point attached to allow the whole torso to face the target if needed

• To allow additional control of torso rotaion there is a horizontal double stick (360) joint attached onto the turret

• At an offset about halfway up the torso there is a vertical x axis single stick (<90) joint defaulting upwards to allow the back some flexibility when swinging something heavy

• Connected to the midback joint are the shoulders with two opposing vertical x axis single stick (<90) joints at an offset just below the neck which lead to offsets that the arms are attached to, this will make overhead swings look more realistic

• Also connected to the midback joint is an offset for the head onto which a model with a TurretZ attachment point is attached

• Onto this turret setup will be a horizontal double stick (360) joint attached onto the first turret

• On the joint there will be another model with a TurretZ attachment point connected at a right angle so the second turret turns in the YZ plane

• The second turret will be limited in the angle of rotation using the Turrets data type

• On the turret of the second turret there will be a Y axis single stick (<135) joint, these will allow full targeting of the head and control of animations

• From this joint there will be various offsets used by the face

Arms and Hands

This will be the most difficult part to animate but also the most rewarding Also uses turrets to give the hands better rarget tracking for weapon use Each arm is a mirror image

• On the shoulder offset there is a vertical x axis single stick (<135) joint defaulting down to correct for the shoulder movements and for horizontal arm movements

• There is then a vertical y axis double stick (360) joint attached to the previous one to give the arm a proper swing defaulting down

• At an offset from the joint there is a horizontal single stick (<180) (45 out rest in) joint defaulting forwards, this allows the elbow/upper arm to turn

• Onto the previous joint is a vertical y axis single stick (<135) joint which does not bend backwards and defaults forwards, this is the elbow

• From the elbow joint there is a vertical x axis single stick (<180) joint for controling the visuals of the lower arm

• There is a vertical x axis double stick (360) joint defaulting up attached to the elbow joint by a pole for the rotation of the wrist, it is a seperate entity from the upper arm joint so robots can spin the wrist without messing with the upper arm and attached to a pole for rocket/pantograph punches

• The hands will be constructed that by default the palms are facing upwards

• Attached to the wrist is a model with a TurretZ attachment point that turns on the YZ plane facing forwards to allow for weapon aiming

• On the turret there is a vertical y axis single stick (<180) joint which defaults forwards for other wrist control

• Attached to the joint is another model with a TurretZ attachment point that faces along the XY plane facing forwards

• This is followed by a horizontal single stick (<180) joint which defaults forwards for more wrist control

• From the wrist joint at an offset is an outward facing x axis single stick (<90) joint for manupilating the thumb or turning it into part of a claw

• Onto the thumb joint a series of 3 horizontal single stick (<90) joints are to be added with offsets between them all defaulting forwards, this is to be the actual thumb for constructs with fingers

• At offsets to the wrist joint there are to be 4 horizontal single stick (approx 45, 20, 20 and 45) joints (two able to bend outwards and two inwards) to allow the fingers to be spread

• Onto these joints 4 series of 3 vertical y axis single stick (<90) joints defaulting forwards are to be placed at varying offsets betwwen them to create the actual fingers

The Face

This is optional but could make it easier for others to make something decent quicker All parts are attached to the head joint at offsets unless stated otherwise There will be rotation points for three possible mouth types with optional antennae

• The antennae are at a vertical offset and begin with a horizontal double stick (360) joint with the sticks above the plane of the rotating model to allow them to move around

• Onto this joint is a series of of 3 vertical y axis single stick (<90) joints defaulting up with an offset between every joint, this will allow for more ant like antennae

• The eyes be at an offset slightly upwards and forwards and will consist simply of a vertical x axis double stick (360) joints defaulting forwards with the sticks infront of the plane of the rotating model to allow eye movement

• At an offset infront and slightly down will be a vertical y axis single stick (<90) joint defaulting forwards to act as a simple jaw

• At an offset infront there will be a model for easy alteration of the ring mouth position

• Attached to the model there will be a ring of 8-16 single stick (<90) joints at small offsets around the model and slightly forwards with all joints facing inwards towards the model (think metroid queen)

• Finally there will by two opposing horizontal single stick (<90) joints at forwards and sidewards offsets to be used as mandibles if needed