2009

Graph Editors > Track View – Curve Editor > Select a track in the Track View
hierarchy. > Track View toolbar > Controller menu > Assign > Spring
Animation menu > Position controllers > Spring
The Spring controller adds secondary dynamics effects to any point or object
position. The end result is secondary mass/spring dynamics similar to Flex.
This constraint adds realism to generally static animations.
When you apply Spring to an animated object, its original motion is preserved
and secondary, velocity-based dynamics are applied. You can control the
object's mass and drag. When you first apply the controller, it constructs a
virtual spring between the object's original position and where it would end
up after forces are applied to it.
You can adjust spring tension and dampening. Increasing the tension creates
a tighter spring, while increasing the dampening smoothes out jitters in the
motion. You can add external forces like
Gravity on page 2721 and Wind on
page 2724 to affect the motion, and also add additional objects whose motions
act as springs.
NOTE You can also assign the Spring controller to animated vertices in Track View:
Open the object's Master Point Controller hierarchy, select the vertices, and assign
the Spring controller.
Interface
When you assign a Spring controller to an object, its rollouts automatically
appear in the Motion panel. In addition, the rollouts open in a floating dialog.
If you close the dialog, you can reopen it by right-clicking the track in the
Motion panel Assign Controller rollout or in the Track View hierarchy and
choosing Properties, or clicking the Properties button on the Track View
toolbar.
3254 | Chapter 15 Animation