Controlling In-Betweens

Animating with Auto Key: Bouncing a Ball

Animating with Dummy Objects

 

Autodesk 3ds Max Tutorials > Animation Tutorials > Animating with Auto Key: Bouncing a Ball > 

Adding Parameter Curve Out-of-Range Types

You can repeat a series of keys over and over in a variety of ways, without having to make copies of them and position them along the time line. In this lesson, you’ll add Parameter Curve Out-Of-Range Types to the ball’s position keys. Out-Of-Range Types let you choose how you want the animation to repeat beyond the range of the current keys. They have the advantage that when you make changes to the one set of keys, the changes are reflected throughout the animation

Most of the tools in Track View are available both from menu choices and from toolbars. This feature is also on the Controllers menu.

Repeat keyframed motion:

1. Continue from the previous lesson, or open bounce_repeat.max. This is a 3ds Max scene with the ball bouncing once.
2. If the Curve Editor isn't displayed already, select the ball in the viewport, right-click, and choose Curve Editor from the quad menu.
3. In the Controller window, make sure that only the Z Position track is selected.

   Before you repeat the keyframes, you'll extend the length of the animation.

4. Click Time Configuration. This button is beneath the Go To End button in the animation playback controls at the bottom-right corner of the interface (not Track View).
5. Change the Animation End Time to 120.

   This adds 90 blank frames onto the existing 30 frames. It doesn't stretch the 30 frames over 120. The ball will still be bouncing once between frames 0 and 30.

6. Now, back in Track View, click the Parameter Curve Out-Of-Range Types button on the toolbar.

   

   Parameter curve out-of-range type choices

7. Click both boxes under the Cycle graph to choose Cycle for In and Out. Click OK.

   

8. Click Zoom Horizontal Extents on the Navigation: Track View toolbar at the lower right corner of the Track View window.

   The Keys window zooms back so the entire time segment is visible. The Parameter Out-of-Range curves are displayed as dotted lines.

   

   Parameter Out-of-Range curve

   There are no keys beyond frame 30. Any change made to the original keys will be reflected in the looping.

   TipYou can create keys for the out-of-range curves by choosing Utilities > Track View Utilities > Create Out of Range Keys.
9. Play the animation.

   The ball bounces over and over.

10. Save your work as mybounce_repeat.max

    Next, you will learn to link the ball to a dummy object and then use the dummy to animate the position of the ball. This allows you to keep the bouncing independent from the position, and makes it easier to control the animation.