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Block Controller
Main toolbar > Curve Editor (Open) > Expand Global Tracks in the Track View
hierarchy. > Block Control
Graph Editors > Track View – Curve Editor > Expand Global Tracks in the
Track View hierarchy. > Block Control
A Block controller is a global List controller on page 3194 that allows you to
combine several tracks from multiple objects over a range of time, and group
them as "Blocks." These Blocks are then used to re-create the animation
anywhere in time. Blocks can be added, removed, scaled, moved graphically
in Track View, and saved. Blocks can represent either absolute or relative
animation.
For example to animate a hand forming a guitar chord, all the rotations of
the fingers and hand can be saved as a block. This block can then be used to
recreate the hand and finger position, rotation, and animation whenever the
chord is played in an animation.
Essentially, block controllers allow you to build up libraries of animations and
apply them to objects as you choose.
TIP Euler Rotations will give you better results than TCB Rotation controllers when
you are working with blocks. Block controllers blend clips in a relative repeat
manner. If your motions do not loop exactly, your rotations start to drift. Also note
that block controllers only work with Keyframe controllers (non-procedural).
Master Block Parameters Dialog
After assigning a Master Block, right-click the MasterBlock track to display the
Master Block Parameters dialog on page 3280. This is the first step in creating a
block.
3142 | Chapter 15 Animation