8
916 Chapter 14: Character Studio
Prop B one
In 3ds Max, the
.csm
marker file format supports
a prop bone in either or both hands (left, right, or
middle). There are nine additional markers for the
top, bottom, and middle of the three prop types. If
these tracks are detected, a 3ds Max dummy object
is created.
Thelengthofthepropistheaveragedistance
between the top and b ottom prop marker during
animation.Thepropwillbeorientedintheplane
of the three prop markers, and its or igin will be at
the b ottom prop marker.
The dummies will be named
bip01prop,
bip02prop
, and so on. If a prop of that name
already exists, its animation and size is reset upon
loading the .
csm
file. The Marker Display dialog
contains a check box for toggling display of the
prop markers. The prop track names are LPRPB,
LPRPM, LPRPT, MPRPB, MPRPM, MPRPT,
RPRPB, RPRPM, and RPRPT. These stand,
respectively, for left prop bottom, left prop middle,
left prop top, middle prop bottom, middle prop
middle,middleproptop,rightpropbottom,right
prop middle, and right prop top . You can change
the track names by editing the .
mnm
file.
Thepropsdon’tnecessarilyhavearelationtothe
left and right hands. Fo r example, a prop could
be a hat.
Motion Capture User
Inter face
Mot ion Ca ptur e R ol lout
Create or select a biped. > Motion panel > M ot ion
Capture rollout
ThetoolsontheMotionCapturerolloutonthe
Motion panel are typically used for working with
raw motion-capture data. You can also load
standard BIP files using Load Motion Capture File.
For example, you might do this if you want to loop
the motion. This rollout includes tools for:
• Batch conversion of motion-capture files.
• Converting the motion-capture file stored in
the motion capture buffer.
• Pasting one frame of motion-capture data from
memory to selected biped limbs.
• Displaying raw motion-capture data as a stick
figure.
• Displaying raw motion-capture trajectories.
The buttons in the bottom row are used mainly
w ith marker fi les, although the calibration controls
also work with raw BVH files. Import, calibrate,
andfiltermarkerfiles(CSM)usingtoolsonthe
Motion Capture rollout. Markers are placed on
an actor during motion capture to identify joints;
calibration lets you adjust the biped relative to the
original marker positions if necessar y. Load only
raw marker files with no key reduction or footsteps
to enable marker calibration controls.
Note: For BVH and CSM file specifications, see the
BVH.rtf
and
CSM.rtf
documents on the program
disc.