Trying to make a caster that swivels on it's own

[donydawson1]

I'm new to animation in 3ds Max and need to figure out how to make a caster that is attached to a furniture leg rotate on it's own as the furniture moves in the animation. I don't understand how the linking works. Please help

[Scott Schroeder]

http://docs.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/12/ENU/3ds%20Max%202010%20Tutorials/files/WS1a9193826455f5ff-3a29af00119afd28e95-4398.htm

 

http://cgi.tutsplus.com/tutorials/quick-tip-wheel-rotation-in-3d-studio-max-using-parameter-wiring--cg-11191

 

You can also search for "3ds Max Wire parameters wheel" and find more solutions.

[donydawson1]

These are great references! What I'm looking for though is not for the caster wheels to turn but for the caster to spin on it's axis when the furniture above moves around. So if the furniture moves the caster swivels to line itself up with the new direction the furniture is heading.

[Scott Schroeder]

If you continue on with the tutorial, the link at the bottom of the page, it takes you to the next page about pivoting the wheels. They talk about linking the wheel back to the steering wheel, but you can just use a dummy instead but the process should show you how to rig a wheel to follow a path.

 

http://docs.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/12/ENU/3ds%20Max%202010%20Tutorials/files/WS1a9193826455f5ff-3a29af00119afd28e95-bf.htm

 

I'd also search on ScriptSpot for vehicle rigs as people have automated this process.

[Tommy L]

Any car rig that has a trailer option would do it.