Short: A Skelon Object for Imagine Author: rsevigny@bridge.net (father) Uploader: jsevigny bridge net (son) Type: pix/3dobj Architecture: generic SKELETOID V. I Skeletoid is a simplified human sleleton, created as an Imagine Object File for animation on low-end machines which mayn't handle high-priced, memory-intensive clip-objects. Skeletoid simulates the human skeleton with the least possible number of points and polygons. Notice that Skeletoid isn't really an OBJECT, but is a GROUP of objects, with the axis of each individual bone-object placed for effective movement. Note that his spinal column has been reduced to three segments rather than numerous vertebrae, to save memory. He also lacks individual teeth ( real memory gobblers! ). Regarding Skeletoid's movements: The best instructor on the action of the various joints is your own body - but here are some tips: Most of the skull's freedom of movement - side to side and up and down - occurs right where the skull joins the spine. Great freedom of movement is imparted to the upper appendages (arms) by the scapula's (shoulder blade's) ability to SLIDE AROUND AND ROTATE on the back of the rib cage. Watch a naked friend move his/her arms around and see. Note that the elbow is pretty much a simple hinge which bends only one way - so also, the knee. So ALSO, the foot. Standing, point your toe straight ahead and then turn it out to point to one side with both hands on your thigh. You will observe that almost all of the movement is at the HIP! Shoulder and hip joints are ball and socket arrangements with considerable (but not unlimited) freedom of movement. In real life the two bones of the lower leg are fixed in relation to one another UNLIKE the two bones of the forearm. The radius and ulna of the forearm are responsible for our ability to use doorknobs and screwdrivers. The ulna is big on the elbow-end and makes a hinge joint with the upper arm. The radius is big on the wrist-end where it makes a hinge joint with the hand. It is the ability of the radius to TWIST around the ulna (sort of) that imparts what we (incorrecltly) refer to as the "twist of the wrist". Try it while you PALPATE (feel) your forearm with your other hand and you'll see. But don't make yourself crazy making Skeletoid's forearms work this realistically. HELL'S BELLS! You may want to make all his bones fly apart and come back together all mixed up! I HAD FUN animating his toothless jaws AS IF THEY WERE LIPS! REALLY CREEPY!!! Stick eyeballs in him! Put him in a suit or just in sandwich boards! HELL, put him in a barrel to cover his nakedness! I'M GOING TO DRESS HIM UP LIKE SANTA CLAUSE AND SEND HIM TO YOUR HOUSE TONIGHT! HOW DO YOU KILL SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY DEAD? Uh, er, sorry about that... rsevigny@bridge.net