How to join objects with follow path constraints and instancing

Support Modeling
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1

Hello,
I am working on a Blender model of an atom (I posted a few hours ago about this, I have now finished the animation). The atom is made up of the following

  • Two icospheres with instancing configured and two spheres parented to create the protons and neutrons (the red and blue spheres in the images)
  • Three curve circles, with one sphere on each acting as the electrons (the green spheres in the images). These have a follow path constraint with an animation path created to make them move round the circles.

If I try and join all of the items it messes up the protons, neutrons, and electrons.
See the video below for how it works:


See the video below for what happens when I try joining the objects:

2

i am assuming that you have parented them before, and if you join them, there is no parenting anymore - because it is just one object now.

This of course influences the animation.

Question: why do you wanna join the meshes?

3

I want to append it to another file then use an array modifier and a curve modifier to make multiple atoms in a circle around another object. If there is another way to do this whilst keeping the animation working I would love to hear it.

4

I don’t think you can make it into an array modifier.
Merge into one object and all settings are lost.

I think it should be a geometry node. :thinking:

Add…

gfr
gfr832×862 95.7 KB

It is possible with a simple configuration.
It can be complicated depending on what the end purpose is.

5

I have got all of the objects separate at the moment (pictured), what object do I need to add the geometry nodes to, I want to create roughly 10 atoms around a curve?

image
image1919×1007 242 KB

6

If you want to create 10 at regular intervals, you can do Instance on objects with 10 Vertex.
Alternatively, adjust the Distribute Points on Faces option to leave only 10. (Random Array)

trew.blend (170.6 KB)

7

Sorry, I have never really used geometry nodes before so I don’t really understand what I need to do. I have attached my Blender file if that helps.
The collection contains the atom and bezier circle is the circle I want to place 10 atoms round.
untitled.blend (888.0 KB)

8

gdd
gdd1744×1076 285 KB

yrtytr.blend (132.4 KB)

Create a geometry node on the curve and place that node.
The Collection can be dragged from the outliner to the geometry node.

9

Thank you, I think that is working, I am still testing it but I will let you know and probably mark this as resolved.

10

Thank you that has worked, is there a way I can hide the original atom and only have the ones in the circle?

11

I have now managed to hide the original atom, thank you for your help.