lookat Vex function

[AntoineSfx 38]

https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/vex/functions/lookat.html

Computes a rotation matrix or angles to orient the z-axis along the vector (to-from) under the transformation.

matrix3  lookat(vector from, vector to)

matrix3  lookat(vector from, vector to, float roll)

matrix3  lookat(vector from, vector to, vector up)

 

Can you explain me how to use this function to have a line along the z axis, anywhere is space,  point to another point in space ?
I don't understand what the from and to vector are.

Edited August 20, 2019 by AntoineSfx

[konstantin magnus 853]

Hi Antoine, the  lookat() function is mainly there to make pigheads stare at spheres. But it might also work on lines ; )

vector pos_target = point(1, 'P', 0);
vector pos_geo = getbbox_center(0);
matrix3 rot = lookat(pos_geo, pos_target);

v@P -= pos_geo;
v@P *= rot;
v@P += pos_geo;

 

lookat.hipnc

[AntoineSfx 38]

3 hours ago, konstantin magnus said:

Hi Antoine, the  lookat() function is mainly there to make pigheads stare at spheres. But it might also work on lines ; )

vector pos_target = point(1, 'P', 0);
vector pos_geo = getbbox_center(0);
matrix3 rot = lookat(pos_geo, pos_target);

v@P -= pos_geo;
v@P *= rot;
v@P += pos_geo;

 

lookat.hipnc

Thanks that's clear now. I will try on an elf head and see it works too.

[patis 3]

Hello.

How can I use lookat function under "Pack" SOP?

There is nothing that I can do but unpacked situation.

Edited December 13, 2020 by patis

[animatrix 212]

Hi Patis-san,

For unpacked, you can write something like this (Point Wrangle):

vector source = getbbox_center ( 0 );
vector target = point ( 1, "P", 0 );

matrix3 m = lookat ( source, target );
@P -= source;
@P *= m;
@P += source;

For packed, you can write over the transform primitive intrinsic attribute. Since it's a matrix3, you don't have to worry about translation to origin and back (Primitive Wrangle):

vector source = getbbox_center ( 0 );
vector target = point ( 1, "P", 0 );

matrix3 m = lookat ( source, target );
setprimintrinsic ( 0, "transform", @primnum, m );

Edited December 14, 2020 by animatrix

[patis 3]

4 hours ago, animatrix said:

Hi Patis-san,

For unpacked, you can write something like this (Point Wrangle):

vector source = getbbox_center ( 0 );
vector target = point ( 1, "P", 0 );

matrix3 m = lookat ( source, target );
@P -= source;
@P *= m;
@P += source;

For packed, you can write over the transform primitive intrinsic attribute. Since it's a matrix3, you don't have to worry about translation to origin and back (Primitive Wrangle):

vector source = getbbox_center ( 0 );
vector target = point ( 1, "P", 0 );

matrix3 m = lookat ( source, target );
setprimintrinsic ( 0, "transform", @primnum, m );

Thank you! I could do that.

vector target = point ( 1, "P", 0 );

int closept[] = pcfind(0,"P",target,1500,1000);
foreach(int i; closept)
{
    vector source = point ( 0, "P", i );
    matrix3 m = lookat ( -source, -target );
    setprimintrinsic ( 0, "transform", i, m );
}

By theway, is there anyway that distance influence quantity of angle fluctuate(matrix3 m)?

In other words the more closely, look at directly.

The more far, a little bit turn to the direction.

thank you.

[animatrix 212]

Yes depending on what you want to do, you can write something like this:

vector source = getbbox_center ( 0 );
vector target = point ( 1, "P", 0 );

matrix3 m0 = primintrinsic ( 0, "transform", @primnum );
matrix3 m1 = lookat ( source, target );
float d = ch("amount");

vector4 q0 = quaternion ( m0 );
vector4 q1 = quaternion ( m1 );
vector4 q2 = slerp ( q0, q1, d );

matrix3 m2 = qconvert ( q2 );

setprimintrinsic ( 0, "transform", @primnum, m2 );

In this case, d is between 0 and 1, but if you want you could fit your per-point distance between 0 and 1 using the pcfind max distance for example.

[patis 3]

52 minutes ago, animatrix said:

Yes depending on what you want to do, you can write something like this:

vector source = getbbox_center ( 0 );
vector target = point ( 1, "P", 0 );

matrix3 m0 = primintrinsic ( 0, "transform", @primnum );
matrix3 m1 = lookat ( source, target );
float d = ch("amount");

vector4 q0 = quaternion ( m0 );
vector4 q1 = quaternion ( m1 );
vector4 q2 = slerp ( q0, q1, d );

matrix3 m2 = qconvert ( q2 );

setprimintrinsic ( 0, "transform", @primnum, m2 );

In this case, d is between 0 and 1, but if you want you could fit your per-point distance between 0 and 1 using the pcfind max distance for example.

Thank you for teaching me! I could do that I wanted

Now, I am customizing it more useful !

thank you.