Rope Swing 1.0.0 for Maya (maya script)

Rope Swing

To install, just unzip the file into your scripts folder ...Leave the subdirectory it creates alone or you will break the script. Use the code below to run it.

eval("source "" + `internalVar -usd` + "ropeSwing/sh_ropeSwing.mel"");

This script was designed to quickly setup an animateable rope rig. Think in terms of Spider-man or Indian Jones and his Whip. All you need is 2 objects, ...A grip object (something like the hand that would be holding it) and an Attach Object (what is the rope attached to?). I generally use locators or joints if it is an animated character.

After Rope Swing rig is created, select the root node of the group which can be found in the Outliner. You'll see a ton of attributes in the Channel Box. On this node there is an attribute called releaseFrame that is defaulted to a value of 45. That means, on frame 45 the Grip object will let go of the rope.. If this is undesired just set this value to something the timeline will never reach and you're fine.

Rig Name

• Whats it called?

Grip Object

• Select the object you want to animate the rope with and click 'Set Object'

Target Object

• Select the object or place the rope is attached and click 'Set Object'

Generate Tail

• It is odd that someone or something, holding a rope would be hanging onto the very end tip so what this will do is create a little tail that dangles below that grip point to give the illusion they're holding on to a section of the rope.

Geometry

1. Poly Extrude

• Self Explanatory, if you do geo it will extrude a tube down the dynamic curves.

Paint Effects

• Will attach a Paint Effects brush bundled with maya to the dynamic curve (specifically the Rope brush)

Once everything is setup, click Setup Rope Swing and you're in business. There is an attached Maya File called rope_testScene.ma that you can load and see it in action. You need to have Hair Dynamics enabled for this to work too :)

Seth