Learning nCloth
2h 41mBeginner2018-12-06
Authors

David F Durand
Visual Effects Pioneer and Educator
Course details
nCloth is a Maya toolkit that is used to simulate cloth and other dynamic surfaces for feature films and games. This course explores the fundamentals of nCloth and basic character visual effects. The instructor, David Feuillatre, is one of the early adopters of nCloth and uses it for his work on movies such as The Dark Knight. Follow along with David to learn about the history of visual effects, the technology of 3D simulation, and the basics of dynamics meshes, properties, and forces in nCloth. Learn how to set up collisions and add constraints, and master the nuances of nCloth design. In chapter four, David walks through a real-world project with nCloth: a physically realistic flag that flaps and flutters in the wind. The course closes with two challenge videos that allow you to practice your skills with nCloth, and compare David's solutions with your own.
Note: This course used Maya 2018, but the cloth simulation principles and techniques shown apply to any software.
Learning objectives
Maya nCloth simulation and character fx
Creating simple 3D animations
Cloth dynamics rigging in Maya
nCloth examples
Setting up collisions, dynamic properties, and scaling
Designing clothes, flags, and curtains with nCloth
Mastering nCloth look and feel
Working with Maya sculpting tools
Adding constraints
Importing Maya caches and playblast
Baking Maya animations
Note: This course used Maya 2018, but the cloth simulation principles and techniques shown apply to any software.
Learning objectives
Maya nCloth simulation and character fx
Creating simple 3D animations
Cloth dynamics rigging in Maya
nCloth examples
Setting up collisions, dynamic properties, and scaling
Designing clothes, flags, and curtains with nCloth
Mastering nCloth look and feel
Working with Maya sculpting tools
Adding constraints
Importing Maya caches and playblast
Baking Maya animations
Skills covered
nCloth3D MaterialsAutodeskVisualization and Real-TimeLearningAnimation and Illustration
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
- 02 - What you should know
- 03 - Exercise files
1. Getting Started in Simulation and Character FX
- 04 - Hands-on with a simulation solver
- 05 - Principles of dynamics
- 06 - Dynamics in computer graphics
- 07 - How a spring-based cloth solver works
2. Setting Up the Simulation World and Objects
- 08 - Setting up a simulation test scene
- 09 - Nucleus - The simulation world
- 10 - nCloth - Let's talk collisions
- 11 - nCloth - Dynamic properties
- 12 - nCloth - Scaling relation
- 13 - Playful practice with primitives
3. Understanding the Look and Feel of Fabrics and Soft Bodies
- 14 - Reference materials
- 15 - Topology and the simulation results
- 16 - Designing with nCloth
- 17 - Master nCloth look and feel
4. Creating a Physically Realistic Flag
- 18 - Setting up the scene
- 19 - Setting up nCloth and nucleus
- 20 - Adding a constraint
- 21 - Tweaking the look of the flag
- 22 - Adding wind
- 23 - Freezing the simulation
- 24 - Importing Maya caches and playblast
5. Production Challenges
- 25 - Challenge - The most awesome pirate ship flag ever
- 26 - Solution - The most awesome pirate ship flag ever
- 27 - Challenge - Do the laundry
- 28 - Solution - Do the laundry
Conclusion
- 29 - Next steps
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