LookAt Constraint

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

I am trying to set up tree planes to always look at an animated camera. I have done this in Lightwave before, but not in Max.

 

I create a plane. Then go to... Animate... Constraints... LookAt Constraint.

 

The plane looks at the camera, without a problem, but i can not keep it from tilting back or sideways when the camera moves. I have tried different settings, but nothing seems to keep it from tilting. Any ideas...?

 

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[Ricardo Eloy]

There's an option on the Motion tab called Keep Initial Offset. Try that. ;-)

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

There's an option on the Motion tab called Keep Initial Offset. Try that. ;-)

 

hmmm.. i couldn't get that to work. it 'squared up' the plane, but it still tilts when i move the camera up in the air. attached is my base file if you or nayone else can look at it. it is version 7.5.

[MegaPixel]

I know most Architectural Visualizers steer clear of Particle Systems, but I think that using "Facing" Particle type does the exact thing you are looking for. Facing particles always turn to face perpandicular to the camera. Perhaps creating a particle system with a count of 1 for one type of Tree and then duplicate it however many times you need?

 

Just thoughts - Mega

[pipjor]

i had the same problem and could not figure it out.

what i did get to work was clone one tree copy at a time and it worked.

 

BTW Particle Flow is pretty fun if you ever have time to play around with it.

[Ricardo Eloy]

I got it to work, I think. Send me your e-mail address and I'll send you the file.