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920 Chapter 14: character studio
The Marker Name File format matches custom
marker names in a CSM or BVH file with the
standard, preset marker names used by a biped.
Note: For BVH and CSM file specifications, see
the BVH.rtf and CSM.rtf documents on the
program disc.
•STPfile(.stp)
The Step file format saves footstep data. Unlike
a BIP file, it does not save keys for the feet or
upperbody.STPfilesareASCIIfiles.Themain
purpose for this format is to enable developers
to write programs that generate step files.
Bipedcanlaterbeusedtocreatekeysforthe
software-generated footsteps.
See Loading and S aving STP Files (page 2–924).
Motion File Histor y Lists
The file dialogs for Biped motion files include a
history list that lets you quickly choose directories
where you ha ve recently saved or opened files.
3ds Max maintains a separate history list for each
type of motion file.
Note: When you load or save motion flow snippets,
or mixer clips through the reservoir, if a file
is a lready specified for that snippet or clip, its
directory will appear at the top of the history list,
evenifthatdirectorywasnotoriginallyinthe
history list. If you cancel the load or save of the
snippet or clip, that directory will not be added to
the history. If you go ahead and load or save the
snippet or clip, the directory will be added to the
history.
Load ing a nd S av ing B IP Ani mati on
Biped motion (BIP) files have a .bip file name
extension. They save all information about biped
motion: footsteps, keyframe settings including
limb rotation, the scale of the biped, and the active
gravity (GravAccel) value. IK Blend va lues for the
keys and Object Space settings are also saved.
IK objects, props and other objects in the scene
can also be saved w ith the .bip file.
There are several ways to create or acquire .bip files:
• By loading one of the sample animation
files that come with 3ds Max. Refer to the
installation and support guide for more details.
•
By creating your own anima tion with
footsteps or f reeform methods, and saving the
animation with the Save button in the Biped
rollout. See the procedures that follow.
•
By loading and filter ing a motion capture
file, then saving the animation with the Save
button in the Biped rollout. See Filtering
Motion-Capture and Marker Data (page
2–1061).
When you save a Motion Mixer (page 2–604)
(MIX) file or a Motion Flow Editor (page 2–1026)
(MFE) fi le, the paths to the referenced BIP files are
also saved. If these paths are broken (for example,
iftheBIPfileshavebeenmovedorrenamed),a
Missing Motion Mixer Files dialog or Missing
Mo tion Flow Files dialog, respectively, opens
listing the missing files. To rectify this, open the
Asset Tracking dialog (page 3–487) and set a new
path for the files.
Procedures
To load biped motion fr om an existing B IP f ile:
1. Select the biped you want to animate,
and go to t he Motion panel.
2. On the Biped rollout, make sure you are
not in Figure mode, and click Load File.
Note: When Figure mode (page 2–982) is active,
theLoadFileoptionloadsfigure(FIG)files.