How to connect two objects with a line as in a presentation tool such as PowerPoint?

Artwork Works in Progress
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I would like to use Blender 3D as a presentation tool like PowerPoint or LibreOffice Impress.

I have a PowerPoint presentation that has large amount of animation involved, which are almost out of control for further editing. And repetition is all over the place, that is, if I want to change the location of some diagrams, I have to update other slides so that objects align across all slides.

If I can reconstruct my presentation in Blender 3D (which slide corresponding to a scene with as much linked-objects as possible), I will be able to kiss goodbye to PowerPoint and move on with Blender 3D.

Unfortunately, I have some concerns in terms of practicality:

Seems like Blender 3D suits better for artistic artwork, and not so much for 3D vector graphics or preparing diagrams. For instance, here is a video illustrating how to connect two objects with a line in LibreOffice Impress.

When I move the objects, the line updates itself automatically. I want to find a solution (constraints, modifiers, vertex groups, curves, drivers, implementing my own solution with the Python API, etc.) but could not find any.

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So I created an example to show you, with a cube :

line_between_objects

  • first make sure the cube scale is applied so that Z scale == 1 when Z dimensions == 1
  • Added two empties
  • Cube has two constraints : Copy location on first empty, and track to on second emtpy

Screenshot%20from%202019-11-06%2010-49-06

  • Then you can right click on Z scale of the cube and add a driver. Set the driver to be a distance between empty 1 and empty 2 . That way it will auto scale :

Screenshot%20from%202019-11-06%2010-48-53

See you :slight_smile: ++
Tricotou

1 Like
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Hi @tricotou,

While I tried out your perfect solution, I realized that there is a tiny detail to mention for the sake of completeness:

The origin of the cube must be at the source empty. Am I correct?

4

Yep :stuck_out_tongue:

See you :slight_smile: ++
Tricotou

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@tricotou, There is one more thing that bugs me. I have to set the expression of the driver as var / 2, because it is twice as long, like:

x---------------x---------------  <- stretched
^               ^                       cube
source        target
empty         empty

Do you know why?

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Because the default cube is 2 units high / wide / deep.

If I was you, I’d use Splines, because it needs less setup

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It’s because of the apply thing on the cube. As you are driving the scale, it should equals the dimenstion

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I don’t want to discourage you…

…but other than the “Gee, I can do this in Blender” factor (or maybe the thrill of masochism), why ever would you want to? This, IMHO, is just another example of using a hammer to drive a screw. “The right tool for the job” and all that.

I could lay out an entire magazine in, say, Photoshop or Microsoft Word…but why would I want to torture myself when I could use InDesign, QuarkExpress or even Scribus, the right tools for the job.

Now if you need to do a presentation (as in for your job) and want to throw some 3D into it, then I can understand totally. But even then, I wouldn’t think the entire presentation would be in 3D, maybe just some slides/animations.

Just wondering what’s the motivation here. PEACE! :v:

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Hi @gtomorrow,

Thanks for advice. I totally agree with you. Unfortunately, I could not find a better free alternative to Blender 3D for this job.

My end goal is to prepare a full Git Training Course.

I need to be able to:

  • Do Vector graphics (like Inkscape)
  • Connect objects with arrows (like PowerPoint)
  • Construct parent / child relationship and grouping (like PowerPoint, Blender 3D)
  • Name objects (like PowerPoint, Blender 3D)
  • Reuse the same object in multiple locations (If I change in one instance, all instances change) (like linked objects in Blender 3D)
  • Reuse the same layer in multiple scenes/slides (like linked copy of a scene in Blender 3D) (you can select only one master slide as far as know in PowerPoint)
  • Add depth using the Z axis and perspective (like Blender 3D)
  • Fill in the document programmatically (like Python in Blender 3D, VS in PowerPoint)
  • Prepare fancy, nonlinear slide transitions using animated camera.
  • Preparing beautiful technical animations like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YkfEft4p-w

I was also planning to implement a slideshow plug-in for Blender 3D, in which you would construct a path of scenes to traverse and animate after each hit to spacebar.

What I can do is I can prepare separate animation videos in Blender 3D and paste them to different PowerPoint slides but for each slide I had to click the Play button.

If you know a software that has support for some of the above requirements, I would like to investigate.

Best Regards,
Bengi

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Hi, @Bengi_Mizrahi,

I had a look at the linked YouTube video. I know you’re not planning to do exactly as that video but nevertheless, If I Were You™ :smile: I would do the animations in Blender and the schematic flowchart stuff in Inkscape, PowerPoint or even LibreOffice Impress/Draw (whichever is easiest for you), export out to a useable format and then composite it together. For that you could even use Blender’s Compositor and VSE, I suppose. Otherwise, there’s always After Effects, Davinci Resolve or even Natron.

As for the “programmatic” stuff, you’d probably know better than I. That’s not my expertise. And honestly, I have a limited working knowledge of presentation software. So maybe my advice is worth every cent you paid! :laughing: :rofl:

It’s a complicated project you’re taking on and I don’t envy you one bit! I’m sure you’ll find the right path to put it all together. Best of luck with it all and don’t forget to breathe! :smile: :+1:

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Thanks @gtomorrow, seems to me that I cannot eliminate repetition after all. I will try to update here when I come up with something to show.