You have multiple types and the default one can be set by going to the icon immediately to the right of 'Set Key'. Step 7: Types of tangentsĪs previously mentioned, 3ds Max will interpolate the frames in between but it needs to know if you want that interpolation to be linear or if you want the first part of the animation to be quicker than the 2nd for example. You don't want to end up with unnecessary key frames. You can toggle between these models using the buttons below the track bar.ĭon't forget to deselect 'Auto key' if you've finished animating.
'Set key' on the other hand is a manual process of setting the key frames when you want them. If you go to frame 100 and move the box to another location, you'll notice that it creates a key frame at frame 1 which is the original position and then a key frame at frame 100. So let's say you have no key frames yet and a box in your scene. This will automatically place key frames for you. There are 2 types of keying, namely 'Auto Key' and 'Set Key'. Key frames are visible from within the track bar.
These are created at key points and then 3ds Max interpolates the frames in between. Now you can imagine animating frame by frame is absolutely ridiculous. This location is depending on a whole host of properties including position and rotation. Video is made up of frames, let's say 24 frames per second for example, and in an animation the objects in your scene will have a set location for each frame. The playback controls are always at the bottom of the interface so they're easy to access at any time. The speed at which playback happens is dependent on the settings found in the Time configuration dialogue box. These will enable you to play, move to the next or previous frame or even move right to the beginning or end. Just to the left of the navigation controls there are a set of playback controls for use with the track bar. This simple tools lets you do it quickly and easily. By adjusting the length of the animation time frame you can either squash or stretch all the key frames found inside of the track bar.īeing able to re-scale your animation is an absolute life saver. This is particularly helpful if you realise that your entire animation is either too quick or too slow. Within the time configuration dialogue box, you can also re-scale the time.
Set up your track bar to display exactly what you want it to. You can do this using shortcut keys Ctrl+Alt and dragging either left or right directly on the Track Bar. The final thing I want to draw your attention to is the ability to change the start and end times as well as the length. The playback can then be customised to different speeds and the playback direction can even be changed. With that dialogue box open you can set your frame rate depending on whether you want a rate which is common to the UK, America or if you want something which is custom. The track bar displays the current time segment along with any key frames already created. You can drag the time slider along for exact control and you can edit the frames which are displayed in the track bar by going to the icon in the bottom right of the interface called 'Time configuration'. It's located at the bottom of the screen and is defined by a set of frame numbers and a time slider. We may even delve a little deeper to whet your appetite for what is possible.Īs part of the default interface setup of 3ds Max you have something called a 'Track Bar'.
Within 3ds Max you can create incredibly complex animations but for every animator it has to start with the basics and that means key framing! We're going to focus in on the track bar and learn how to set up some simple but nice animations. Know the basics: 3ds Max Part 1: Modelling Know the basics: 3ds Max Part 2: UV Mapping Know the Basics: 3ds Max Part 3: Material Editor This is an absolutely massive area which we can only scratch the surface of in the scope of this article.
For part 4 of the Know The Basics series for 3ds Max, we take a look at the basic animation tools the software has to offer. 3ds Max's physical camera has a quick and effective motion blur tool. Animation mixed with in-camera motion blur brings a real dynamic aspect that would otherwise not be there.