8

Controlling Transforms 293
functionality, but with one significant difference.
The on/off state of the parameter does not switch
automatically ever y time you add a key. This
allows you to effectively add keys in the middle of
a sequence without creating unintended drastic
changes.
Waveform Contro ller
A Waveform controller (p age 2–366) generates
values by combining periodic waveforms. You
can specify different types of waveforms and add
waveform s together to create complex a nimation.
Waveform was originally created to control
blinking lights. Use it for any value that you want
to vary in a regular, osci l lating pattern.
Controlling Tr ansfor ms
Transform controllers are compound controllers.
They set the type and behavior of the con trollers
used for Position, Rotation, and Scale.
You assign Transform controllers using either
Track View — Cur ve Editor or the Motion pa nel.
Compound Transform controllers do not display
properties in Track View. You can access the
parameters of Transform controllers only in the
Motion panel.
Positi on/R ota tion/S cale Controll er
The Position/Rotat ion/Scale (PRS) control ler
(page 2–341)
is a simple Transform controller
applicable for most objects. When applied
the PRS Transform controller sets up default
Bezier Position, TCB Rotation, and Bezier Scale
controllers.
UseaPRScontrollerwheneveryouwanta
standard t r ansform set up or when you want single
function curve control ov er the Position, Rotation,
and Scale controllers.
Note: PRS controller is no longer the default
controller applied to all objects. The latest version
of the software uses Position XYZ and Euler XYZ
as the new default controllers for position and
rotation transforms.
Tra nsfor m Script Control ler
The Tr ansform Script controller (page 2–364)
contains all of the information contained in a PRS
Controller in one scripted matrix value. Instead of
having three separate tracks for position, rotation,
and scale, all three values can be simultaneously
accessed from one script controller dialog.
Because the transform values are defined by a
script, they are easier to animate.
The value of the controller script must be a matrix3
value. A matrix3 value is a 4x3 3D transformation
matrix. For more informat ion, see the Matrix3
Va lu e s top ic i n t h e
MAXScr ipt Reference (page
3–973)
.
Controlling Position
Below the Tr ansform controller (page 3–1003) is
the Position controller. Position is a data type that
can use most of the st andard controllers such as
Bezier,TCB,andNoise.
The cont rollers described in this topic can be used
only as position controllers.
XY Z Controll er
The XYZ cont roller breaks a Position controller
into three separate Bezier Float controllers. Each
oftheX,Y,andZcomponentsofpositionreceives
its own track.
Use the XYZ controller when you wa nt to have
separatekeypatternsorcontrollertypesforeach
position component.