5. Set Keys manually: This button has the icon of a key on top of it. When Set Key button is in active mode (Toggle SetKey), we use this large button to set keys. Don't worry if all these buttons confuse you. The idea gets clearer when you apply them. ok?
6. Playback controls: This section in 3D Studio MAX ( 3ds max ) would need no explanation. All controls are similar to your media player controls. We use it to view the animation in the scene.
7. Time Configuration: This button in 3D Studio MAX ( 3ds max ) brings up the Time Configuration dialog. We will see more about it shortly
8. Position/ Orientation: Three fields X, Y, Z represent the position of the currently selected object in scene. It has no direct relation with the animation controls. But I'm mentioning it here, because it takes the place among the animation controls. You can modify the position of the currently selected object in 3D Studio MAX ( 3ds max ) by entering the X, Y, Z values manually. If you are in Move Tool mode, X, Y, Z represents position. When you make Rotation Tool active, the X, Y, Z values represent the rotation axis in degrees. Understood? |
Before we start with the animation, we need to make the Time set to 50 frames total duration. This is because we are planning to make the ball fall down, and bounce back within 50 frames. Reducing the Time slider's total frame length from 100 to 50 will help us manage the animation more efficiently. We can modify the Time representation in the Time Configuration dialog box. Click on the Time Configuration  button to bring it up in 3D Studio MAX ( 3ds max ). Set the fields in the Time Configuration dialog box exactly as shown below |
The Frame Rate field in 3D Studio MAX ( 3ds max ) can be used to choose different standard frame rates. Or you can specify your own frame rate in the FPS field. The Time Display section in 3D Studio MAX ( 3ds max ) tells you how the time will be represented in the Time Slider. Enabling Real Time in Playback lets you play the animation in exactly the same frame rate as you specified. If you uncheck it, every frame will be played in the viewports. If the scene is complicated, the animation may get slow, but all the frames will be displayed before you. The Speed choice lets you choose how fast you want the animation to be played in 3D Studio MAX ( 3ds max ). If you choose 2x the animation will be played at double speed. The Start Time and End Time lets you specify the length of the animation. The other fields adjusts itself accordingly. Enter 50 as the End Time. Now click OK to close the dialog box. The Time slider will reflect the changes. |
Tip: You can open the Time Configuration dialog box in 3D Studio MAX ( 3ds max ), by right-clicking on the Playback controls |
