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Difference between revisions of "Basic Object Animation"

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(Created page with "This tutorial assumes you do not know how to animate an object that you have made in Max. It will cover how to place a simple animation on that object. I've made a blue cylinder...")
 
 
Line 3: Line 3:
 
I've made a blue cylinder here, and what I want it to do is rise out of the ground:
 
I've made a blue cylinder here, and what I want it to do is rise out of the ground:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim1.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim1.jpg
  
 
Once it is made, I move it to where it is just poking out of the ground. This will be where the beginning of the animation happens:
 
Once it is made, I move it to where it is just poking out of the ground. This will be where the beginning of the animation happens:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim2.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim2.jpg
  
 
Now we need to look at our frame rate bar. This is located towards the bottom of your screen. Default in Max is 0 to 100 frames. I've made mine 0 to 300:
 
Now we need to look at our frame rate bar. This is located towards the bottom of your screen. Default in Max is 0 to 100 frames. I've made mine 0 to 300:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim3.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim3.jpg
  
 
This is important as when you go to export your Age, you MUST have this bar set to the longest animation that you have in your Age. My cylinder will use 300 frames to animate (30 frames = 1 second, so the animation is 10 seconds long). However, if I have another object who's animation is say, 1000 frames, then the frame bar MUST be set to 0 to 1000 frames.  
 
This is important as when you go to export your Age, you MUST have this bar set to the longest animation that you have in your Age. My cylinder will use 300 frames to animate (30 frames = 1 second, so the animation is 10 seconds long). However, if I have another object who's animation is say, 1000 frames, then the frame bar MUST be set to 0 to 1000 frames.  
 
To change this, go to the bottom right of your screen and click on the little icon that looks like a window with a clock in it:
 
To change this, go to the bottom right of your screen and click on the little icon that looks like a window with a clock in it:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim4.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim4.jpg
  
 
This will cause a window to pop up. In this window you can set the frame length. Look at my picture below for this:
 
This will cause a window to pop up. In this window you can set the frame length. Look at my picture below for this:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim5.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim5.jpg
  
 
Now we need to set our Key Filters. The Key Filters are used to set what type of animation information we are going to use: Position, Rotation, Scale, Material, etc. If you click on this button here in my picture below, you can set your Key Filters:
 
Now we need to set our Key Filters. The Key Filters are used to set what type of animation information we are going to use: Position, Rotation, Scale, Material, etc. If you click on this button here in my picture below, you can set your Key Filters:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim6.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim6.jpg
  
 
It will call up a little window, where you can place check marks of the animation information. I'm very lazy and just have it set to "All", but you can set it to how you like. Just remember, that if you go to animate another object, and you only had "Position" selected, and your new object will rotate, you will have to come back here to change that (hence why I just leave it set to "All" all the time, but that is how I like to do it):
 
It will call up a little window, where you can place check marks of the animation information. I'm very lazy and just have it set to "All", but you can set it to how you like. Just remember, that if you go to animate another object, and you only had "Position" selected, and your new object will rotate, you will have to come back here to change that (hence why I just leave it set to "All" all the time, but that is how I like to do it):
  
−
[[File:Basicanim7.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim7.jpg
  
 
If you have your object placed where you need to start the animation and you have it selected, then go down and click on the button marked "Set Key":
 
If you have your object placed where you need to start the animation and you have it selected, then go down and click on the button marked "Set Key":
  
−
[[File:Basicanim8.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim8.jpg
  
 
When you do, it will turn red. So will the screen just above your Frame Bar:
 
When you do, it will turn red. So will the screen just above your Frame Bar:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim9.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim9.jpg
  
 
This is to let you know that you are in "Animation" mode.
 
This is to let you know that you are in "Animation" mode.
Line 42: Line 42:
 
Make sure that your frame bar is set all the way back to Frame 0. Next, go down and click on the button that looks like a Key:
 
Make sure that your frame bar is set all the way back to Frame 0. Next, go down and click on the button that looks like a Key:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim10.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim10.jpg
  
 
This will set a Key at frame 0 for you on your object:
 
This will set a Key at frame 0 for you on your object:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim11.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim11.jpg
  
 
Now move your frame bar to where you need it for the end of the animation. In my case, the animation will end at frame 300, so I have moved the bar to there;
 
Now move your frame bar to where you need it for the end of the animation. In my case, the animation will end at frame 300, so I have moved the bar to there;
  
−
[[File:Basicanim12.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim12.jpg
  
 
Next: Move the object to where you need it. In my case I moved the cylinder up along it's Z axis, as that is what I want it to do is rise up. You may have your object do something different, like move differently, or rotate:
 
Next: Move the object to where you need it. In my case I moved the cylinder up along it's Z axis, as that is what I want it to do is rise up. You may have your object do something different, like move differently, or rotate:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim13.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim13.jpg
  
 
Now go back down and click on the button that looks like a Key again, this will put a key at the last frame:
 
Now go back down and click on the button that looks like a Key again, this will put a key at the last frame:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim14.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim14.jpg
  
 
'''Note: you MUST make sure that you have already moved your object how you want it BEFORE you place this key!'''
 
'''Note: you MUST make sure that you have already moved your object how you want it BEFORE you place this key!'''
Line 64: Line 64:
 
You can now go back down and click on the Set Key button again, to turn it off:
 
You can now go back down and click on the Set Key button again, to turn it off:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim8.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim8.jpg
  
 
Now we need to place a Animation component on our object. Open up the Component Manager, and click on New > Misc > Animation:
 
Now we need to place a Animation component on our object. Open up the Component Manager, and click on New > Misc > Animation:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim15.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim15.jpg
  
 
In the roll out for the animation component you have several options:
 
In the roll out for the animation component you have several options:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim16.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim16.jpg
  
 
There are 3 to pay attention to: Autostart, Loop and Animate On Global.
 
There are 3 to pay attention to: Autostart, Loop and Animate On Global.
Line 86: Line 86:
 
Next however, I need to set up Markers in the Dope Sheet. Go up and click on the menu where it says "Graphic Editors" and in the drop down, click on Track View - Dope Sheet:
 
Next however, I need to set up Markers in the Dope Sheet. Go up and click on the menu where it says "Graphic Editors" and in the drop down, click on Track View - Dope Sheet:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim17.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim17.jpg
  
 
This will call up a box that looks like the picture below. Scroll down and select your object that you are animating:
 
This will call up a box that looks like the picture below. Scroll down and select your object that you are animating:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim18.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim18.jpg
  
 
Now we need to add a Note Track. Go up in this box and click on Tracks > Note Tracks > Add:
 
Now we need to add a Note Track. Go up in this box and click on Tracks > Note Tracks > Add:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim19.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim19.jpg
  
 
Now go down and select the Note track we just added to our Object:
 
Now go down and select the Note track we just added to our Object:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim20.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim20.jpg
  
 
Now we need to put our Markers in. Go up and click on this button here:
 
Now we need to put our Markers in. Go up and click on this button here:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim21.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim21.jpg
  
 
On your note track, place a marker at the beginning frame time and at the ending frame time:
 
On your note track, place a marker at the beginning frame time and at the ending frame time:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim22.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim22.jpg
  
 
Next, right click on the first marker you placed at the beginning frame. A small box will pop up. Make sure it says Frame 0, and then in the box, you will need to type a message. You will need to make up a name then type in @start:
 
Next, right click on the first marker you placed at the beginning frame. A small box will pop up. Make sure it says Frame 0, and then in the box, you will need to type a message. You will need to make up a name then type in @start:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim23.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim23.jpg
  
 
Close the little box, and right click on the other marker at the last frame. You will see another small box pop up. This time make sure it shows Frame 300 (or what ever your last frame is) and use that name you made up again, only this time, end it with @end:
 
Close the little box, and right click on the other marker at the last frame. You will see another small box pop up. This time make sure it shows Frame 300 (or what ever your last frame is) and use that name you made up again, only this time, end it with @end:
  
−
[[File:Basicanim24.jpg]]
+
http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim24.jpg
  
 
And that is that! You object is now animated. How you trigger the animation is completely up to you.
 
And that is that! You object is now animated. How you trigger the animation is completely up to you.
  
 
{{ALTutorials}}
 
{{ALTutorials}}

Latest revision as of 13:44, 7 August 2011

This tutorial assumes you do not know how to animate an object that you have made in Max. It will cover how to place a simple animation on that object.

I've made a blue cylinder here, and what I want it to do is rise out of the ground:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim1.jpg

Once it is made, I move it to where it is just poking out of the ground. This will be where the beginning of the animation happens:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim2.jpg

Now we need to look at our frame rate bar. This is located towards the bottom of your screen. Default in Max is 0 to 100 frames. I've made mine 0 to 300:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim3.jpg

This is important as when you go to export your Age, you MUST have this bar set to the longest animation that you have in your Age. My cylinder will use 300 frames to animate (30 frames = 1 second, so the animation is 10 seconds long). However, if I have another object who's animation is say, 1000 frames, then the frame bar MUST be set to 0 to 1000 frames. To change this, go to the bottom right of your screen and click on the little icon that looks like a window with a clock in it:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim4.jpg

This will cause a window to pop up. In this window you can set the frame length. Look at my picture below for this:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim5.jpg

Now we need to set our Key Filters. The Key Filters are used to set what type of animation information we are going to use: Position, Rotation, Scale, Material, etc. If you click on this button here in my picture below, you can set your Key Filters:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim6.jpg

It will call up a little window, where you can place check marks of the animation information. I'm very lazy and just have it set to "All", but you can set it to how you like. Just remember, that if you go to animate another object, and you only had "Position" selected, and your new object will rotate, you will have to come back here to change that (hence why I just leave it set to "All" all the time, but that is how I like to do it):

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim7.jpg

If you have your object placed where you need to start the animation and you have it selected, then go down and click on the button marked "Set Key":

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim8.jpg

When you do, it will turn red. So will the screen just above your Frame Bar:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim9.jpg

This is to let you know that you are in "Animation" mode.

Make sure that your frame bar is set all the way back to Frame 0. Next, go down and click on the button that looks like a Key:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim10.jpg

This will set a Key at frame 0 for you on your object:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim11.jpg

Now move your frame bar to where you need it for the end of the animation. In my case, the animation will end at frame 300, so I have moved the bar to there;

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim12.jpg

Next: Move the object to where you need it. In my case I moved the cylinder up along it's Z axis, as that is what I want it to do is rise up. You may have your object do something different, like move differently, or rotate:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim13.jpg

Now go back down and click on the button that looks like a Key again, this will put a key at the last frame:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim14.jpg

Note: you MUST make sure that you have already moved your object how you want it BEFORE you place this key!

You can now go back down and click on the Set Key button again, to turn it off:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim8.jpg

Now we need to place a Animation component on our object. Open up the Component Manager, and click on New > Misc > Animation:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim15.jpg

In the roll out for the animation component you have several options:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim16.jpg

There are 3 to pay attention to: Autostart, Loop and Animate On Global.

Autostart - Placing a check mark here will make the object animate as soon as a person links into the Age.

Loop - Placing a check mark here will make the object's animation play over and over.

Animate On Global - Placing a check mark here will have the object's animation be stretched out over the time of the Age. If you have the length of the Age's day set to 24 hours in the .age file, then your object's animation will take a full 24 hours to complete (this is mostly used for Day / Night cycles like in Eder Gira).

I want my object to not animate until the player does something, and I do not want it to loop, so basically I do not need to do anything here.

Next however, I need to set up Markers in the Dope Sheet. Go up and click on the menu where it says "Graphic Editors" and in the drop down, click on Track View - Dope Sheet:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim17.jpg

This will call up a box that looks like the picture below. Scroll down and select your object that you are animating:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim18.jpg

Now we need to add a Note Track. Go up in this box and click on Tracks > Note Tracks > Add:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim19.jpg

Now go down and select the Note track we just added to our Object:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim20.jpg

Now we need to put our Markers in. Go up and click on this button here:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim21.jpg

On your note track, place a marker at the beginning frame time and at the ending frame time:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim22.jpg

Next, right click on the first marker you placed at the beginning frame. A small box will pop up. Make sure it says Frame 0, and then in the box, you will need to type a message. You will need to make up a name then type in @start:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim23.jpg

Close the little box, and right click on the other marker at the last frame. You will see another small box pop up. This time make sure it shows Frame 300 (or what ever your last frame is) and use that name you made up again, only this time, end it with @end:

http://assets.openuru.org/wiki/andy/MaxTutPics2/Basicanim24.jpg

And that is that! You object is now animated. How you trigger the animation is completely up to you.


Return To: 3DS Max Plugin Tutorials

Copyright (C) 2011 Andy Legate.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts.
A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
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