This page provides a quick starting point for working with anima assets and creating crowd simulations in Chaos Envision. 


Overview

A crowd simulation consists of three components:

  • anima crowd object
  • anima crowd path object
  • anima character assets (actors)




To search for an anima asset, go to the Cosmos tab, select the People category, and enable the Animated option.


To search for a specific component after its creation, go to the Objects tab.


To access a component's parameters, go to the Details tab.


To access the Anima Crowd creation tool, go to:

||Toolbar|| > Anima Crowd


||Create menu|| > Anima crowd



Add static or ambient actors

To add a static or ambient actor, follow these steps:

  • Open the Cosmos tab () in the bottom dock panel and select the 3D Models category. Open the People subcategory.

  • Select an actor (character) from the People category.

  • Click to download the asset. Alternatively, right-click on the asset and select Download selected.

  • Once the actor is downloaded, drag it into the viewport onto a surface.
    Note that even if you don't download the asset, dropping it into the viewport automatically initiates a downloading process.


Click on the gif to enlarge it.


Add animated actors with existing path

To add an animated actor onto an existing spline, follow these steps:

  • Create a spline object using the Spline () toolbar button or the Create menu option (Create menu > Spline).

  • Click the Anima Crowd () toolbar button or go to Create menu > Anima crowd. Then place the anima gizmo where you want it in the viewport.

  • Click Pick Path () and select the spline.

  • Open the Cosmos tab () and drop Anima characters onto the spline.


Click on the gif to enlarge it.


Add animated actors without existing path

To add an animated actor when there isn't a path, follow these steps:

  • Click the Anima Crowd () toolbar button or go to Create menu > Anima crowd. Then place the anima gizmo where you want it in the viewport.

  • Click Create Path and start drawing your path in the viewport. When ready, click Done.

  • Click Select Path to choose the path and configure it further, if necessary. For example, you can enable the Closed option to connect both ends of the path or change the interpolation to Catmull-Rom for smoother movement.

  • Open the Cosmos tab () and drop Anima characters onto the spline.


Click on the gif to enlarge it.


Generate crowds

To generate a crowd, follow these steps:

  • Click the Anima Crowd () toolbar button or go to Create menu > Anima crowd. Then place the anima gizmo where you want it in the viewport.

  • Either click Create Path and start drawing your path in the viewport or choose an existing path with the Pick Path () button.

  • Open the Cosmos tab () and filter the People category.

  • Set the Actor count and start dropping actors from the bowser into the Details tab.

  • Click Generate. 


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Add color variations to actors

To add color variations to actors, follow these steps:

  • Select an actor that you need to randomize.

  • Adjust the value of the Color variation parameter.


Click on the gif to enlarge it.



See also: 

Anima Crowd