INSIDE 3DS MAX® 7 [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Biped Free Form Mode

Free Form animation with Biped enables you to treat the Biped skeleton like any other rig you might animate in 3ds max. To create Free Form animation, all you need to do is turn on Auto Key and start animating. You may also use any of the cs keying shortcuts discussed above like Set Planted, Sliding, or Free Key. It is important to know that once you start making a Free Form animation by setting keys on the Biped, you cannot create Footstep animation. The Footstep mode will be grayed out, and you will not be able to make footsteps for the character. If you intend to use footsteps in your animation, it is best to set them up first and then insert Free Form animation into the footstep sequence. If you get into a situation where you have made a completely Free Form animation and need to add footsteps, you can convert the Free Form animation into Footstep and then work in Footstep mode.

To add a Free Form period within a Footstep animation, go to the Track View Dope Sheet and move the footstep keys apart. Then right-click in the space between the footsteps. Choose Edit Free Form (no physics), and then click in the Free Form period (the yellow-outlined box).

Animating Pivot Points

When animating feet and hands, character studio gives you the ability to animate pivot points for better articulation. This can be very helpful for things like toe rolls. You can animate the pivot point by choosing one of the fixed positions on the foot or hand and then setting a key (Figure 15.14).

It's good general practice to set a key for the pivot point, then move ahead a frame and rotate the foot about that pivot point, setting a key for the foot rotation. Working in this fashion ensures that you'll get what you expect.