Add a buoy to an ocean

With a single command, you can add a NURBS sphere (a buoy) to your ocean and make it bob up and down in the water. The motion is restricted to the Y direction.

To add a dynamic buoy

  1. If the scene has more than one ocean, select the ocean you want the buoy to float in.
  2. Select Fluids > Add Dynamic Locator > Dynamic Surface > .

    The Create Dynamic Surface Locator window appears.

    By default, locators are connected directly to the expression, enabling you to rename locators without breaking the expression.

    If you want to move the position of the locator interactively, the locator cannot be connected directly to the expression. In this case, turn on Free Transform.

  3. Click Create Dynamic Buoy. Maya creates a NURBS sphere and connects a dynamic locator to it.
  4. In the Extra Attributes section of the locatorShape Attribute Editor, modify the options to simulate dynamic effects (see Dynamic locator). These serve as inputs to the expression.
  5. Play the animation using the playback controls at the bottom of the Maya window.