8

358 Chapter 12: Animation
Variable Parameters group
Tick Offset—Specifies a time offset in ticks for the
current variable. When the script is evaluated, the
var iable’s value is set from the current time plus
the Tick Offset va lue.
Note: The Time Offset has no effect on variables
that are assigned a constant.
Varia bles List—Lists a ll available variables in the
controller. The following pre-defined constant
variables are available in every script Controller
and cannot be deleted or renamed:
•
F—the cur rent time in frames
•
NT—the normalized t ime
•
S—the current time in seconds
•
T—the cur rent time in ticks
Assign Constant—Opens a dialog which lets you
assign a constant to the highlighted variable.
Value expression—Enter any MAXScript value
(such as an integer, a float, an array, etc.) or
expression.
Value expression result—Displays the results of the
expression above.
Evaluate—Analyzes your expression at the c urrent
time.
OK —Assigns the value expression result to the
current variable.
Can cel—Disregards the current value expression
result and closes the dialog.
Assign Tr ack —Lets you assign a controller to the
highlighted variable. The controller’s value is
takenatthecurrenttimeplusthevariable’sTick
Offset.
Assign Controller—Lets you assign a track to the
highlighted variable.
Assign Node—Lets you a ssi gn a node to the
highlighted variable.
Ex press ion tex t fiel d—Enter the scr ipt expression
here to calculate the controller value.
Description tex t field—Enter comments regarding
the functionality of the controller.
Loa d/Sa ve—Load and save scripts to text files.
Debug—Opens the Script Controller Debug
Window, w hich displays the value of all variables
used in your scr ipt.
Eva luate—Evaluates the script expression. The
evaluation is computed for the current position
of the time slider .
Clo se —Compiles and checks the controller script
for errors. If no errors are f ound, the dialog is
closed. Any problems result in a query box asking
whether you want to revert the expression to the
original value of the cur rent track and close the
dialog (OK), or to return to editing the expression
(Cancel).