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Saving and Loading FIG Files 713

• Linkextra3dsMaxbonesorsplinestothe

biped to create extra envelopes when Physique

is applied.

• Link 3ds Max bones to the biped to automate

mechanical assemblies when the biped is

keyframed.

• Link particle emitters to the biped hands or feet

to create smoke or dust.

Note: If you’ve linked par ticle emitters or

3ds Max bones (with the IK controller) to the

biped, the Animate button must be on when

you reposition the biped.

Procedure

To link a mechanical character to the biped (without

Physique):

With mechanical or jointed characters, you can

simply link objects to the biped without using the

Physique modifier.

1. Load or create a mechanical or jointed model.

Bodypartsinthismodelshouldbeseparate

3ds Max objects.

2. Create a biped.

3. OntheBipedrolloutturnonFigure

mode,thenpositionandfitthebipedtoyour

mesh objects.

4. Go through the mesh objects and use Select

and Link on the 3ds Max toolbar to link each

object to its corresponding part on the biped.

All of keyframe animation applied to the biped

will animate the model.

Tip: Ifyouplantouse3dsMaxlinkingand

Physique together, link the body parts to the

biped after applying Physique. In this way,

Physique will not create superfluous links from

the biped to the mechanical body parts when

it is applied.