8

Using Props 757
Animating Prop Link age
Props can change linked parents (simi lar to the
3dsMaxLinkcontroller)atanykeyframe.This
is done using the Position Space and Coordinate
SpacelistsinthePropsectionofthe
Key Info
rollout (p age 2–809)
.Onceakeyissetonthe
prop at a given frame, you can set or change the
coordinate space in which it is transformed by
choosing a new space from the drop-down list.
You set rotation and position coordinate space
independently.
Position and rotation space controls
Impor ting Motion-Capture Prop Data
If your motion-capture file includes prop data,
character studio can read that data and apply it to
apropobject.
Upon loading a
CSM file (page 3–1019) ,the
motion data will be applied to the prop. If the
prop switches from one hand to another, the
program will automatically determine the switch
oftheprop’scoordinatespacesasthepropis
exchanged between the hands. This can be easi ly
changed once the data is in the scene: go to the
desired frame, choose a new coordinate space
(as described in the previous section), then set a
key. When loading a BIP file for retargeting onto
other characters, the props move with each of the
hands. The software ensures that the hands come
together at the precise position on the prop during
transfers.
Props can be animated with 3ds Max cont rollers
andthatanimationcanthenbecollapsedonto
the prop’s transform controller for editing with
motion flow or the mixer.
Procedures
Ex ample: To an imate a biped swinging a prop with
one ha nd:
1.
Create a biped with a sing le prop.
The biped appears with a single prop displayed
as a box positioned near the biped’s r ight hand.
2. OntheMotionpanel,ontheBiped
rollout, turn on Figure Mode.
3. Scalethepropsoitisthecorrectsizeand
proportion to be a sword.
4. Rotateandmovethepropsoitisinthecorrect
orientation in relation to the r ight hand.
5. Tu r n off Figure mo de.
6. Setakeyforthepropatframe0. Todothis,
make sure the prop is selected, then use the Set
KeybuttonintheKeyInforollout.
7. Now animate the biped as you like, or open a
BIP file of a character swinging a sword.
8. Turn on Auto Key, then select the prop.
9. Animate the prop using standard 3ds Max
transforms.
Example: To animate the biped switching the prop
to the other hand:
1.
Follow the steps in the previous procedure to
animate the biped swinging t he prop.
2. Movetotheframewhereyouwantthebipedto
switch the prop the other hand.