crane -> follows mouse

[dkeegh]

i wish to make a flash animation where a cranes arm follows the mouse, the arm extends in 3 different bits and it also has a 90 degree rotation (lets say "north to east", or "12 to 3")

Is it possible to make the top of the crane match the mouse like a crosshair, and the rest join from a stationary position. (the arm moves only, but no the base)

its a bit hard to explain, but if you have questions please ask me!

[jbum]

No doubt it's possible -- sounds like an inverse kinematics kind of problem.

But I'm having a hard time visualizing (are we looking from the side or from overhead & how is the crane configured exactly?)

It might help if you provide a jpeg showing the crane in action, with arrows pointing to the moveable bits.

[dkeegh]

Originally posted by jbum
It might help if you provide a jpeg showing the crane in action, with arrows pointing to the moveable bits.

sure... here is a little sketch that i just made.

[jbum]

I assume you're working this out in the actionscript forum.

- Jim