3ds Max 2012 Bible - Kelly L. Murdock [273]
The Bézier controller parameters are displayed in the Motion panel under two rollouts: Key Info (Basic) and Key Info (Advanced).
At the top of the Key Info (Basic) rollout are two arrows and a field that shows the key number. The arrows let you move between the Previous and Next keys. Each vertex shown in the function curve represents a key. The Time field displays the frame number where the key is located. The Time Lock button next to the Time field can be set to prevent the key from being dragged in Track View. The value fields show the values for the selected track; the number of fields changes depending on the type of track that is selected.
FIGURE 22.9
The Bézier controller produces smooth animation curves.
At the bottom of the Key Info (Basic) rollout are two flyout buttons for specifying the In and Out curves for the key. The arrows to the sides of these buttons move between the various In/Out curve types. The curve types include Smooth, Linear, Step, Slow, Fast, Custom, and Tangent Copy.
Cross-Reference
Chapter 37, “Working with the F-Curve Editor in the Track View,” describes these various In/Out curve types. •
The In and Out values in the Key Info (Advanced) rollout are enabled only when the Custom curve type is selected. These fields let you define the rate applied to each axis of the curve. The Lock button changes the two values by equal and opposite amounts. The Normalize Time button averages the positions of all keys. The Constant Velocity option interpolates the key between its neighboring keys to provide smoother motion.
Linear controller
The Linear controller interpolates between two values to create a straight line by changing its value at a constant rate over time.
The Linear controller doesn't include any parameters and can be applied to time or values. Figure 22.10 shows the curves from the previous example after the Linear controller is assigned—all curves have been replaced with straight lines.
FIGURE 22.10
The Linear controller uses straight lines.
Noise controller
The Noise controller applies random variations in a track's values. In the Noise Controller dialog box, shown in Figure 22.11, the Seed value determines the randomness of the noise and the Frequency value determines how jagged the noise is. You also can set the Strength along each axis: The > (greater than) 0 option for each axis makes the noise values remain positive.
FIGURE 22.11
The Noise controller properties let you set the noise strength for each axis.
You also have an option to enable Fractal Noise with a Roughness setting.
The Ramp in and Ramp out values determine the length of time before or until the noise can reach full value. The Characteristic Graph gives a visual look at the noise over the range. Figure 22.12 shows the Noise controller assigned to the Position track. If you need to change any Noise properties, right-click the Noise track and select Properties from the pop-up menu.
FIGURE 22.12
The Noise controller lets you randomly alter track values.
Spring controller
The Spring controller is similar in many ways to the Flex modifier in that it adds secondary motion associated with the wiggle of a spring after a force has been applied and then removed. When the Spring controller is applied, a panel with two rollouts appears. These rollouts, shown in Figure 22.13, let you control the physical properties of the spring and the forces that influence it.
FIGURE 22.13
The Spring controller rollouts can add additional springs and forces.
In the Spring Dynamics rollout, you can change the Mass and Drag values. Higher mass values result in greater secondary motion as the object is moved, and the Drag value controls how quickly the bouncing motion stops. You can add multiple springs, each with its own Tension and Damping values to be applied Relative or Absolute.
The Forces, Limits, and Precision rollout lets you