Using Layer Offset to simulate Wind    10 Apr 00


Here's a simple example of how to use Layer Offset (new in v1.0.6) to simulate wind in Illusion. First add a smoke emitter or some other appropriate emitter to the stage. I've used the "train smoke" emitter from the Impulse_Smoke library. Here's what it looks like at frame 90:



Now we'll use the Layer Offset to make the smoke "blow" from left to right. Select "Offset" from the Hierarchy, jump to frame 1, and place the Layer Offset point to the left of the stage. Next jump to frame 160 and set the Layer Offset point to the right of the stage. Should look something like this:



What you should see if you PLAY is that the emitter moves to the right, so we need to correct for that. Jump to frame 1 and notice where the emitter is. Now jump to frame 160 and move the emitter (create a position key) back to where it was on the stage at frame 1. You should now see something like this:



If you PLAY it now, you should have the emitter staying in one place, and the smoke "blowing" from left to right.


The project file:   


Alan Lorence    10 Apr 00