BroDynamics

By

Michael Davydov

Animator-friendly simulation tool for Maya

Current version: 2.2.1

Animator-friendly simulation tool for Maya, allowing animators to quickly and easily add overlaps, spring and drag motion. Works with any rig. 

From animator for animators. Make more stunning animation in less time!

BroDynamics is used by leading gamedev and animation studios in the world.

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Description and Documentation: https://michaeldavydov.com/BroTools/Documentation/BroDynamics/intro/

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It allows an animator without technical knowledge to apply nParticle, nHair or Bullet simulation to any rig, to simulate things like Tails, Bellies, Long Ears, Antennas, springs, falling objects, ragdolls, and a lot of other cool stuff, and bake it on controls.It can save a lot of time, replacing tedious work of keyframing these things.

For riggers and animators with technical experience it allows to save a lot of time and makes it unnecessary to embed complex and heavy simulation setup into the rig itself, which saves time and allows to work with more lightweight rigs, which are easier to work with, maintain and improve.

This tools it perfect for gamedev, where you need to create a lot of animations in a limited amount of time, and where there is often no time or need to create complex rigs. But it can also find it's use in any other animation environment, like movies, cartoons, and other media, because of the ease of use.

Features:

- Point simulation mode for translational Spring constrain animation. Uses nParticles.

- Chain mode for control chains like: tails, ears, tentacles, arms, legs, spines and more. Relies on nHair.

- RBD mode - for simplifying rigid body simulations. Characters drops something? Just simulate it. Uses Bullet physics engine.

- Batch simulation tool. Create and store simulation settings for multiple objects, limbs and chains. Simulate everything in one click. Share this preset with others - data is stored into a simple Group node.

- Installation in central location, like a network drive. Useful for studios. Currently UI settings are shared among all users.

More simulation modes and features are planned!

Useful links:

Dev blog and website: https://michaeldavydov.com (news will be posted there as well as on facebook page)

2.0 Promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9shEnsarYY

Demo video: https://vimeo.com/171450299

1.2.0 Update Video: https://youtu.be/2Kk42xAPYDg

Documentation: https://nixes.ru/BroTools/Documentation/BroDynamics/intro/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BroDynamics/ 

Changelog: http://www.nixes.ru/BroTools/Documentation/BroDynamics/changelog.htm?ms=AA%3D%3D&st=MA%3D%3D&sct=MA%3D%3D&mw=MjQw

New Year Promo animated with BroDynamics: https://youtu.be/O8Bu3VuHNnQ

Feel free to contact me if you need multiple licenses with a discount.

By purchasing this tool you support further development of it, and get direct technical support from it's developer.

Installation:

1. Unpack\Copy BroTools folder into any folder on your computer.

2. Open Maya

3. Locate install.mel file inside BroTools folder.

4. Drag and drop it in Maya's viewport and follow instructions on screen.

Enjoy!

Upgrading to newer versions:

BroDynamics has built in updater. Whenever a new version is released it should check for it and suggest you to update. Update process is automated.

For alternative manual update process refer to documentation.

Upgrading from 1.x to 2.x:

BroDynamics 2.x WILL NOT WORK if you have 1.x installed.

To upgrade from 1.x to 2.x - remove the whole 1.x folder, and optionally remove BRO_TOOLS_PATH from Maya.env file. After that download BroDynamics 2.0 from Gumroad, extract anywhere, and drag and drop install.mel into Maya's viewport. That's it!

Compatibility:

BroDynamics is compatible with:

OS:

• Windows
  
• Linux
• MacOS

Maya:

• 2014 (1.x)

• 2015 (1.x)
• 2016 (1.x, 2.x)
• 2017 (1.x, 2.x)
• 2018 (1.x, 2.x)

2019 - Not tested yet, but should work as well, feel free to report any bugs

Earlier versions of maya are not supported.

If something does not work make sure that you have latest Service Pack installed for your version of Maya.

Licensing:

BroDynamics EULA is available here.

Note, that it is possible to discuss any special terms, discounts and such by contacting me directly.

License options:

Regular license: One license per seat. Discounts for bulk purchases available, contact me for more information.

Site License: One location, unlimited seats (within one location)

Enterprise License: Unlimited locations, unlimited seats (within one company)

Refunds \ Demo \ Trial version:

Unfortunately there is no way for me block, restrict or revoke your access to the software. When you buy BroDynamics you get it's full source code, so refunds are only issued in rare cases.

Because of the same reason there's no demo or trial version of it, as with any Python script or plug-in for Maya out there.

Instead I offer support in form of advise, bug fixes and software improvements. So if something does not work right, tell me and I'll try to fix or add it in the next update!

Note on Support:

If you experience any trouble with BroDynamics, feel free to reach out, I'll do my best to help you either with advice or with bug fixes.

I offer support for BroDynamics for Maya versions listed above, with all latest Service Packs installed, and with latest version of BroDynamics.