2009

Whether you copy objects, materials, or controllers, the same basic principles
apply. Here are restrictions for using Copy and Paste:
■ You can copy only a single highlighted item.
■ You can paste a copied item only into another item of the same type. An
exception to this restriction involves pasting Object and Modified Object
containers.
■ You can paste a copied item into a selection of multiple items only if all
the items are of the same type.
■ When pasting items, you can choose to make an instance or a copy of the
pasted item.
■ You cannot copy/paste actively linked objects.
Copying Items
You copy an item by highlighting it in the Controller window Hierarchy list,
and then right-clicking and choosing Copy from the quad menu. If Copy is
not available the selected item is not a valid copy source. 3ds Max disables
Copy when the selected item is not a valid copy source or if multiple items
are selected.
Pasting Items
Pasting items involves a few more choices than copying. You select one or
more items from the Hierarchy list. If Paste is available the selected items are
valid paste targets. The program disables Paste if the selected targets are not
all the same type or if they do not match the type of item in the clipboard.
You can use Paste as follows:
■ Paste into a single target item.
■ Paste into multiple target items.
■ Paste copies or instances.
■ Choose to convert other instances in the scene automatically.
Clicking Paste on the quad menu displays the Paste dialog, with controls for
determining how the Paste operation will be carried out.
Copy Pastes the item in the clipboard as an independent copy. The target item
will have no connection to the copied source item.
3646 | Chapter 15 Animation