• Abstract

• 3D MAX Studio

Our first lecture was about how to create a simple biped-based character with footstep animation and use the several modifiers to modify it to have our own preferred biped.

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The default body type of the biped is Skeleton, but we can also choose any one of them, such as Male, Female and Classic.

In order to modify the structure details of the biped, we can go to Motion tab, which can be found under the Create Panel. Under the structure rollout, we can get quickly access to the interface of various parameters of the selection. Here we can also change its body type, height, number of fingers and toes, etc.

Afterwards, it is the time to add footstep to the biped. Click on the Footstep Mode under the Biped rollout (with two- feet icon next to Figure Mode), the icon turns yellow, meaning that the footstep mode is on. By scrolling down to the next section Footstep Creation, click the second icon Crete Footsteps (at current frame), move the cursor onto the stage and “paint the route”. As we can see, the cursor is now with a footstep sign.

Click on the Create Keys for Inactive Footstep under the Footstep Operations section. All the footsteps painted on the screen become less bright. Then click on the Play Animation button at the right bottom, the biped starts to walk by itself. The other two options such as Run or Jump beside Walk are provided as to make the animation livelier. On the basis of the previous work, just simply click on the Create Footsteps (append) ,and then we can apply all those three kinds of footstep mode to the animation.

• Difficulties

However, when I tried to modify my biped, I failed! It sounded hard for me to control it. According to the tutorial, I applied the Modifier tool such as mesh, hair, skin as well as the Physique modifier, but none of them functioned. The biped looked no differece as before! Hence, I gave up at the end.
Also, I have been struggling for "Export the animation" to be video, fortunately, I solved this problem at the end!