I am new to Houdini and I like an idea to make animation completely in DOP using bullet physics engine (not using classical bones rigging).
Currently I am animating a robot using 4 “Cone Twist Constraints” with motors. Two motors in robot's foot control robot twist and tilt. Two other motors are in shin and hip.
For example, I can make the robot jump by stretching rapidly it's leg. How far it can jump is controlled by tilt of the robot and
strength of the motors in robots shin an hip. I also use some anchors to hold the robot vertically when it is necessary.
I am happy how simulation looks, but it is very hard to control it. Basically I need to find correct settings for each motor to make the robot jump and land where I need it to land. And it is much harder if robot needs to make 2-3 jumps in a row.
My final goal is to make short animation film where robot can jump on some objects, perhaps, play volleyball, e.t.c.
And I am not sure if it is a good idea to make this film in this way. It involves a lot of experimenting with constraint settings and each time simulation begins from start.
Is it valid way to animate a robot? Are there any suggestions how could I improve this process?
Thanks.