shape defomation from "x" to "o"

[syzmatrix]

how can I make a 3d shape whose section is changing from "x" to "o", like the picture show below, here is the paper by Greg Turk(http://www.cc.gatech.edu/~turk/my_papers/schange.pdf), I wonder if it is possible using houdini volumn system to get the same effects. Hope someone could offer some ideas. thanx.

[Macha]

Here is one way. Another one would be to use a sort sop and particles, or blend volumes, or...

meltox.hip

Edited December 9, 2010 by Macha

[Macha]

Actually, if you want sharp and clean surfaces, check out the new volume surface sop. I think it can be used for stuff like that but I only touched it very briefly. It sounds like an interesting problem (to get neat surfaces without crazy pfluid resolution) and on second thoughts I'm not sure its not such an easy task.

Edited December 9, 2010 by Macha

[Macha]

Here is another method. I like that one best.

I also tried the volumesurface but from what I understand it creates a surface by growing from a seed, so if the shapes are not connected it will only surface part of the volume. This happens when X and O blend (there are 4 separate objects).

volumexo.hip

[syzmatrix]

thank you Macha very much. I get a good idea from your posted file.

I also post in sidefx, people there also give good ideas. here is the link.

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_forum&Itemid=172&page=viewtopic&p=99293#99293

Hope all can enjoy it.

[Macha]

Cool and clever stuff. Here is another idea with a copy and blendshape sop.

anotheridea.hip

Edited December 10, 2010 by Macha

[pclaes]

Cool and clever stuff. Here is another idea with a copy and blendshape sop.

Good stuff . get's tricky when you try doing it with an "R"