Page 1009 - Kitab3DsMax

Chapter 39: Animating with CAT and Creating Crowds
The Max Step Time defines how quickly each step is taken. Low values make the character walk crazy fast,
and higher values make a slower, more casual walk. The Max Stride Length sets the distance of each step.
These two values together determine the Velocity, but you can’t alter the Velocity setting.
The character by default is pointing in the direction indicated on the CAT Parent object, but you can alter
the direction that the character is walking by altering the Direction value. A setting of 0 makes the character
walk in the direction he is pointing, a value of 90 makes the character shuffle to his right, a value of 180
makes the character walk backward, and a value of 270 makes the character shuffle to the left. The Gradient
setting controls the angle that the character is pointing. Negative values make the character point forward as
if walking down a hill, and large, positive values make the character walk as if going up a hill.
Walking along a path
The default is to have the character walk in place, but if you select the Walk On Line option, then the char-
acter walks forward in a straight line. When the range of frames is reached, the character returns to its start-
ing position and walks the line again. If the Direction value is changed, the character moves straight in the
specified direction.
If you click the Path Node button, you can choose a scene object that the character will follow. For example, if
you make the Path Node a dummy object, then the character is positioned and walks on top of the dummy
object. You can then animate the movement of the dummy object in the scene, and the character follows it.
To make the character walk along a path, you simply need to create a path using the Line tool. Then select the
dummy object and use the Animation ➪ Path Constraint menu to attach the dummy object to the path. If you
enable the Follow option in the Motion panel after making the link, the character turns to stay on the path.
When having a character follow a path with tight corners, the character may become distorted as it attempts
to stay on the path. The Preserve Character Shape setting lets you minimize the distortion. A setting of 0
allows the distortion caused by tight corners.
Controlling footsteps and limbs
The Limb Phases panel of the CAT Motion dialog box, shown in Figure 39.13, controls the placement of
footsteps and the swing of each leg and arm. The footprints that appear when a character is walking are tied
to the rig, so altering the footsteps also alters the rig. If the footsteps don’t appear when you select a walk
cycle, you can use the Create button to make them appear. You also can delete them with the Delete but-
ton. If you move or rotate any of the footsteps, you can use the Reset button to remove any changes for All
footsteps or for just the selected footsteps.

FIGURE 39.13
The Limb Phases panel lets you set how the arms and legs swing relative to each other.

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