8

594 Chapter 12: Animation
Using Transition B rack ets
On a t ransition track, transition brackets appear
around each transition, and a t the start or end of
each clip that is not surrounded by a transition.
Transition brackets
When you load a clip onto a transition track where
clips already exist, the clip creates a trans ition
between the last clip on the track and the new clip.
The transition is created at the location of the last
clip’s transition bracket.
You can move a transition bracket before loading
the next clip to automatically create the transition
exactly w here you want it. This feature can make
it very quick and easy to load a long series of clips
into a transition track with correct transitions.
To see how this workflow is used in practice,
see the lesson ”C ombining Clips” in t he Mixing
Animation” tutorial.
Working with Foot-B ased Transitions
Much like Motion Flow, transitions in the Mixer
between foot-based motion clips (clips where IK
constraints keep the feet planted at various times)
must be carefully placed and adjusted to make
the animation look as natural as possible. The
workflow depends on whether you are animating
a biped, or 3ds Maxobjects such as a rigged
character.
Foot-Based Transitions w ith Biped
For the most natural transitions between
foot-based motions, follow this workflow:
• Find a good place to start and end the
transition.
• Create the transition with this timing. You can
also optimize the transition to fine-tune it.
• Change the transition focus.
•Performamixdown.
Study both clips to find a start t ime and range for
the transition that will result in smooth motion.
Look for times when each foot has the same
planting or free status in both clips. For example,
a time period when both clips have the left foot
planted and the right foot free is a good time range
for a transition.
Youcanfine-tuneyourchoiceoftransitiontimeby
optimizing the transition. This features searches
each clip, either in its entirety or near an existing
transition, to find the best timing for the t ransition.
You c an improve a transition between foot-based
clips by changing the transition focus on the
Transition Editor dialog (Biped Object) (page
2–613)
. In the example descr ibed above, the left
foot would be chosen as the transit ion focus,
because this would keep the left foot planted while
the animation moves around it.
When tr ansitions cause a planted foot to slide or
pop slightly, or force a leg to st r aighten unnaturally,
you can use a
mixdow n (page 3–1067) to correct
these problems. See
Exporting Animation to the
Biped (page 2–601)
.