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By Root 2018 0

way to organize animated motions into an easy-to-manage method. The Animation Layers toolbar includes all the tools you need to manage these unique layers. Animation clips for standard objects can be added and mixed in the Motion Mixer. The File⇒Load Animation option, along with its mapping and retargeting features, lets you reuse saved animations by applying them to other scenes. This chapter also introduced all the available animation modifiers and showed you how to use several of them. Finally, the chapter covered several complex controllers.

FIGURE 35.33

The Master Track Key Info dialog box lets you change the key values for each vertex.

In this chapter, you learned about the following:

• Using the Animation Layers toolbar

• Creating new layers and using weights

• Collapsing animation layers

• Loading saved XML animation files

• Remapping animation tracks between objects

• Retargeting to adjust for a change in scale

• Using the Point Cache modifier

• Using the Morpher modifier to deform a face

• Using the Flex modifier and the other deformation modifiers

• Using the various miscellaneous animation modifiers

• Examining the various controllers in several different categories

The next chapter takes a close look at the Expression Controller that gives you the ability to script the controller's behavior. It also covers wiring parameters so that one parameter can control another, and creating custom parameters.

Chapter 36: Animating with the Expression Controller and Wiring Parameters

IN THIS CHAPTER

Using the Numerical Expression Evaluator

Understanding the Expression controller interface

Learning about operators, variables, and functions

Wiring parameters with manipulator helpers

Collecting parameters

Creating custom parameters

Expressions are looks that you make in the mirror when you're trying to wake up, but in Max they are a series of equations that define how an object acts. Max expressions can be as simple as adding two numbers together or as complex as several lines of MAXScript. But expressions enable you to create customized animated reactions.

Although Max expressions can be used with any Max spinner, they are mainly used within MAXScript scripts or in the Expression controller. The Expression controller is a specialized controller that lets you control the object's behavior using scripted expressions.

This chapter then looks at a unique way to drive animations based on object parameters. Parameters of one object can be wired to parameters of another object so that when one parameter changes, the wired parameter changes with it. For example, you can wire the On/Off parameter of a light to the movement of a switch. All parameters that can be animated can be wired.

As long as you are working with parameters, Max includes several helpful tools for viewing and working with the available parameters including the Parameter Collector. If the Parameter Collector doesn't gather the exact parameters that you need, you can create your own custom parameters also.

Working with Expressions in Spinners

Although much of this chapter focuses on using the Expression controller, the Expression Controller Interface isn't the only place where you can play with expressions. Expressions can also be entered into spinner controls using the Numerical Expression Evaluator, shown in Figure 36.1. This simple dialog box is accessed by selecting a spinner and pressing Ctrl+N.

Note

Another place that commonly uses expressions is the Parameter Wiring dialog box, which is covered later in this chapter. •

FIGURE 36.1

The Numerical Expression Evaluator dialog box lets you enter expressions for a spinner.

To use this evaluator, just type the expression in the field; the result is displayed in the result field. The result field is updated as you type the expression. If you make a mistake, the Result is blanked out. The Paste button places the result value in the spinner, and the Cancel button closes the dialog box without a change.

Tip

You can enter a relative value