9

Custom Attributes 129
• Step—Thestepbywhichthebasenumberis
incremented in succeeding renamed objects.
Rename—Click to rename the affected objects and
have your changes t ake effect.
Custom Attributes
Animation men u > Parameter Editor
Keyboard > Alt+1
Use the Parameter Editor to assign custom
attributes to objects, modifiers, materials, and
animation tracks. A custom attribute is an
additional, abstract parameter; abstrac t in
the sense that it does not directly extend the
functionality of the object by default. It affects an
object only after wire parameters (page 2–411),
reaction controllers (page 2–358),orexpression
controllers (page 2–320) are set up to connect
the custom attribute to another parameter in the
scene. You can also use custom attributes to store
job-specific notes and data.
Custom attr ibutes behave like other object
parameters in se veral ways:
• They are saved and loaded in the scene file
along with the object.
• They can be animated and keyframed.
• They are d isplayed in Track View along with the
base p arameters.
Each custom attribute parameter can be one of a
number of different data types, including integers,
floating numbers, Bo oleans, arrays, nodes, colors,
and texture maps. Parameters added to an object
or modifier appear on a Custom Attributes rollout
on the Modify panel. For each custom attribute
parameter you create, you can specify the name,
layout, value range, default value, and UI type:
spinnerorsliderforfloatsandintegers,checkbox
for Booleans, etc.
As you customize an attribute, the result is
displayedontheTestingAttributerolloutatthe
bottom of the dialog.
See also
Parameter Collector (page 1–138)
Attribute Holder Modifier (page 1–559)
Custom Attr ibutes S pecia l Features
The Custom A ttributes feature offers an array of
workflow-enhancing functionality, including:
• the ability to add custom attributes to specific
animation tracks.
• the ability to edit existing custom attributes.
• 13 available data t ypes.
• a variety of available UI options, such as
ComboBox and ListBox for the Array data ty pe.
• the ability to position UI elements precisely
w ith X and Y O ffset cont rols.
•theabilitytopr eserve custom attribut es when
collapsing the stack.
•AspecialAttribute Holder modifier (page
1–559) that lets you collect attributes from
different entities and access them in one place
on the Modify panel.
Procedures
To add a parameter to an object:
1.
Select the object.
2. Choose Anima tion menu > Parameter Editor.
The Parameter Editor opens.
3. Change sett ings as desired.
4. Click Add.
The parameter is added to the level specified
in the Add To Type list. If an object has no
custom attributes, Parameter Editor first adds a
Custom Attributes entry to the current Add To