Camtasia Demonstration

This video provides a brief demonstration of
the crowd layout utility.
In no way does this demonstration display the numerous organization possibilities.

Examining the Crowd Layout Generator ( Dynamic Performer v1.06 )

This page explains the various parameters of the Crowd Layout utility.
The Crowd Layout Generator is the second most important module offered by
Dynamic Performer.  The reason for this utility is that it establishes the
"anatomy" (maya D.A.G node structure) required by the A.I. Generator.

Orientation

Location X / Location Y / Location Z

	These values establish the global placement for the collection of units.

Depth / Width

	These text fields display the width and depth of individual units
	to aid the user in selecting appropriate column and row spacing.

Geometry Selection

Geometry Selection

	Dynamic Performer operates upon smooth bound skin clusters therefore
	only acceptable	skin clusters will be visible for selection.
	Selecting one or several skin clusters from the scroll list determines
	which skin cluster(s) will comprise the crowd.

Layout

	Using a (/) delimiter allows the user to enter values that 
	will affect the organization of the crowd.  

        Examining Example Arrangements

		3

			 If the user entered the following string only the
                         first three column positions of the current row
                         will be occupied by a unit.


		+2

			 If the user entered the following string every
 			 other column position of the current row will
                         be occupied by a unit.

			 The "+" character instructs the generator to skip
			 a position.
				
			 The numeric digit following the "+" character
			 informs the generator of where to place the
			 next unit. In this example every column position
			 divisible by (2) will acquire a unit.


		+2loop4

			 The "loop" directive informs the generator to repeat 
			 the preceding directives. 
	 
			 The numeric digit following the "loop" directive
			 informs the generator of how many rows to iterate
			 thru using the current directive.  In this example
			 the current directive would result in four rows
			 with a unit occupying every column position 
			 divisible by (2).


		+1loop2/+3/1loop2/loopPattern

			 The "loopPattern" keyword informs the generator to
                         use the preceding directives to determine the
                         organization of all remaining rows.



		+1loop2/+3/1loop2/loopEnd

			 The "loopEnd" keyword informs the generator to
                         use the preceding directive for all remaining rows.
			 In this example the "loopEnd" keyword would request
			 that the generator use the "1loop2" directive for
			 all remaining rows.

Layout Parameters

Num of Rows

	 This option determines the number of rows within the crowd.

Num of Columns

	 This option determines the number of columns within the crowd.

Depth Spacing

	 This option determines the spacing placed between rows.

Width Spacing

	 This option determines the spacing placed between columns.

Instance Disperal

Uniform

	Because multiple skin clusters can be selected, the user has the 
	option of uniform or random dispersal.  Uniform dispersal replicates
        the source skin clusters in the order that they were selected and
        entered into the "geometry selection" scroll list.

Random

	Random dispersal randomly selects which source skin clusters
	will be included within the crowd.

Rig Type

Instanced

	This option enables the Crowd Layout generator to establish instances 
	of units.

Dynamic Rig

	This option enables the Crowd Layout generator to establish units
        that are of the "appropriate anatomy" for the capabilities of
        Dynamic Performers.

Motion Archiving

	This option enables the Crowd Layout generator to establish units that
        are of the "appropriate anatomy" to be used with the A.I. Generator's
        Motion Archiving Capability.

Dynamic Rig Offset

Dynamic Rig Offset

	Using a (/) delimiter allows the user to enter values which affect how units
	generated as Dynamic Rigs will be automated.