9

Working with Biped Motion Files 919
that the arm links are too short to reach a specific
goal target. Because Figure Mode is unavailable in
the master scene, the artist currently in the source
sceneinputsthechangestothebiped’sstructure,
and then saves his file. This update now reflects in
the master scene.
Example: Mo difying the Footsteps of an Xref
Biped
An integrator externally references a biped into
his master scene. He sees the footstep anim ation
butcannotedititbecauseFootstepModeis
unavailable. The artist currently in the source
scene goes into Footstep Mode and alters the
animation. This update now reflects in the master
scene.
Externally referencing a biped automatically
creates a new “XREF L AYER” in the Layers rollout
(page 2–974), whether or not the source biped
contains any animation. As a result, the orig inal
layer b ecomes a level one “Local Layer” which you
can use to add animation on top of it.
Note: If the XRef biped contains multiple animation
layersinthesourcescene,3dsMaxcollapsesthem
into one layer before creating the XRef.
Note: Saving animation (page 2–920) from your
XRef biped breaks the XRef link.
Loa ding, S a vi ng, a nd
Displaying Biped Motion
Working with B iped M otion Files
character studio uses a variety of file formats to
save, load, and edit motion.
•BIPfile(.bip)
The native character studio file format for
saving biped motion. A BIP file saves all
information about biped motion: footsteps,
keyframe sett ings including limb rotation,
the scale of the biped, the active gravity
(GravAccel) value, a nd prop animation. IK
BlendvaluesforthekeysandObjectSpace
settings are also saved.
See Loading and Saving BIP Animation (page
2–920).
•BVHfile(.bvh)
The BioVision motion capture format.
Typically, BVH files are obtained from mot ion
capturehardwarethatrecordsthemovements
of a human performer. Data saved in a BVH file
includes both skeletal data, and information
about limb and joint rotations.
Note: For the BVH file specification, see the
BVH.rtf document on the program disc.
•CSMfile(.csm)
The C haracter Studio Marker format. This is an
alternative format for recording motion capture
data. I t stores positional data for various
markersonabipedfigure.
See Motion Capture Rollout (page 2–1065).
Note: For the CSM file specification, see the
CSM.rtf document on the program disc.
•MIXfile(.mix)
A MIX file contains data from the Motion
Mixer, such as trackgroups, t r acks, and
transitions.
See Using the Motion Mixer (page 2–604).
•MFEfile(.mfe)
The Motion F low Editor format saves scripts
you create in the Motion Flow Edit or, including
clip references and transitions.
See Motion Flow Mode (page 2–1043).
•MNMfile(.mnm)