molten metal animation
 

i want to do a animation like a bucket is pouring molten metal n the molten metal flows thru a path into a die and the die is removed and the molten metal solidifies to some shape like the die...can someone guide me ..how n where to stert..thx

From the top of my head:

The molten metal inside the bucket will have two morph maps for when the bucket is tilted and the metal starts to flow (it will go from the normal horizontal position to a an incline that touches the rim of the bucket) and one for the bucket emptying (the molten metal object will slightly aproach the side wall of the bucket and start to shrink in dimensions). Now, I suggest you don't show the bucket emptying completely, just starting to pour, then follow the molten metal.

Ok, for the molten metal, I suggest a particle emitter with a Wind-> path Effector or a curve emitter like in the growing vine tutorial ( forgot which site I got it off, but anyway) and Surface type particles because they can blend with eachother and create a nice fluid effect.

You could have a collision-event object right at the entrance of the mold that kills the particles, or just give them a lifespan that's enough to get to the mold then die.

I presume the mold is covered so you won't see what's in there untill it's cracked open, right? Well, in this case, which is the easiest, just place another object inside the mold, that has the mold's shape and when the mold is opened voila.
In the more annoying case in which the mold is open to spectators, you'll have to play around with some morphs or cut maps with gradients to replicate the filling effect.

Final notes:
I'll add some pictures soon so you can get a better idea of what the heck I'm talking about.
You could place a point light right at the mouth of the mold and give it a short falloff and a redish color (or whatever color the molten metal has) for more realism.

I'll think of some more as I try to replicate what I just said.

-V-

thank u nostromo for ur interest...but to be frank i understood very little what u were talking bout...actually im an mateur LW user..im a post graduate student in mech engineering...i want to prepare a presentation for our forum in our college...if im not troublin u can u give me a step by step procedure (again if im not troublin u)...thank u