smoothing a cubic bezier path

[just alex]

Would Google Sketchup be a possible substitute for 3ds Max?

[Gladsomebeast]

After checking out SketchUp, I don't think it can export animations to 3D formats like VRML. Plus, it's $500 for the Pro version which you need to export to common 3D file formats.

Anyone know if Blender can export OSG animations? It seems Blender can export to Cal3D well enough for Vizard to use it. That could be an animation workflow for Blender to Vizard. Vizard supports VRML animations, so if Blender can export animated VRMLs that could work as well.

[just alex]

Would it be possible to swap between a bezier path and a linear path? I could at least get some of the straight areas to go well then.

[Jeff]

As long as you know how long one path takes to complete you could link your object to the second path when the timer, set to the time of the first path, expires.

[Gladsomebeast]

I figured out how to use Blender to create animation paths. This seems much easier than tweaking control points forever in Vizard.

Steps:
1. Install Blender.
2. Install osg export plugin. Download plugin. Copy the osgexport-2.42.py file into <Program Files>\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts directory.
3. Learn how to animate a box in blender. This video provides a simple introduction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAZFfLmbD2k
4. Checkout the attached Vizard script that moves a car around with an animated box made in blender. The zip includes the .blend file.

import viz
viz.go()

path = viz.add('output.osg')
vizact.onkeydown(' ', path.hint, viz.RESET_ANIMATION_HINT)
path.disable(viz.RENDERING)

car = viz.add('mini.osgx')

linky = viz.link(path.getChild('Cube_geode'), car, srcFlag=viz.LINK_ABSOLUTE)
linky.preEuler([0, -90, 0]) #rotate car upright

viz.MainView.setPosition([0,1,-5])

viz.MainView.getHeadLight().disable()
light = viz.add(viz.LIGHT)
light.position(.5,1,-.5,0)
light.intensity(3)

viz.clearcolor(viz.SKYBLUE)
viz.add('tut_ground.wrl')