9

Prop Bone 1065
Prop B one
In 3ds Max, the CSM marker file format suppor ts
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 the s oftware detects these tracks, it create s a
dummy helper (page 2–16) object.
Thelengthofthepropistheaveragedistance
between the top and bottom prop m arker during
animation.Thepropwillbeorientedintheplane
of the three prop markers, and its origin w ill be at
the bottom prop m arker.
The dummies are named bip01prop, bip02prop,
and s o 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, respec tively, for left prop
bottom, left prop middle, left prop top, middle
prop bottom, middle prop middle, middle prop
top, right prop bottom, right prop middle, and
right prop top. You can change the track nam es
by editing the MNM file.
Thepropsdon’tnecessarilyhavearelationtothe
left and right hands. For example, a prop could
be a hat.
Motion Capture User
Inter face
Create or select a biped. > Motion panel > Motion
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 C apture File.
For example, you might do this if you want to loop
the motion. This rollout includes tools for:
• Ba tch conversion of motion-capture files.
• Con v erting 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 files, 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.r t f documents on the program
disc.
Motion-Capture B uffer
Raw motion data is automatically stored in the
motion-capture buffer when files (CSM, BVH, and
BIP) are loaded using Load Motion Capture File
(page 2–1065).Thisbufferedrawmotiondatais