Hey Andy. Nice work! Gotta show you a jewel box we are working on which recalls some of these techniques but through the use of dynamics in maya. Nice work!

I was wondering if you have any idea if this can be achieved in maya? Would you have to use set driven keys? or an actual dynamics simulator

I'm pretty sure this could be done in Maya, however, it's been a long time since I've used Maya, so I couldn't really tell you how to do it. I'll see if I can dig anything up which might help on this.

thanks

I've tried to use ncloth system in maya; you can achieve a rigid object and use vertex constraints to keep parts of the geometry stationary. The only way i could get geometry to react was to use a ncloth force field which actually applies force and pushes the designated object. Only problem is that given that the only type of compnent constraints you can create are springs+ rubber band and weld joints, theres no actual way of guaranteeing the objects stationary position. Since i am using a simulation rather than a preset set driven animation keys, the object natural reacts to the dynamics solver and thus theres bobbing and twisting.

anyway this is pretty fascinating stuff

i forgot to mention, i can send you scene file for maya 8.5 to show you what im talking about, or i can just record a playblast of the scene and post it somewhere

I've emailed a friend to see if he can weigh in on the discussion, as he's much more adept at Maya than I am. However, it seems as though it would be more efficient to use driven keys.