topic Re: Create animation for complex character. in 3ds Max Animation and Rigging Forum

Create animation for complex character.

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 13:24:12 GMT

Hi.
I want to know what i need to learn within 3dmax (or wat is best way plugins or so) to create complex animation?
complex anitmation - dynamic cloth, straps (that holding armor plates for example), physyx for chain and hair.
thx!

Re: Create animation for complex character.

lorddavius — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 23:53:42 GMT

You need to learn the usual. Making a complex character animation is a task that normally involves a team of people, each on their specialty but jointly working towards a goal. One person makes (and adjusts) the geo, another creates the rig (this person usually makes the bones, or use one of Max's system like Biped or CAT, creates the skin, morph targets, controllers, etc) another person normally takes on the VFX (like hair, cloth, chains). This is a VERY reduced team, mind you, because all these tasks might be broken down even further.

But, nothing is stopping you from being a one man army. Max is particular good at that also. So, you really need to build your bases, model your character accordingly to the movement it is expected to make, create your bones, create your rig and controls, skin your mesh to the bones, animate the base geo, create your cloth, simulate it, and so on and so forth.

So, within 3dsMax itself you should have a pretty good base in modeling. You gotta know bones, controllers, skin, morph targets, ... almost the whole package 🙂 No particular need for plugins (unless you wanna do something very specific). Just take your time, do some tutorials on simpler stuff, and build your confidence from there. Start with slim characters (they are the easiest to skin) and build your knowledge. It's NOT difficult, but if you rush or miss some steps, you might find yourself on roadblocks up ahead, so take it easy 🙂

Re: Create animation for complex character.

lorddavius — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 23:58:25 GMT

If you meant (with complex animations) just the secondary motion of accessories on characters, then I'd say learn Cloth (not mCloth, just Cloth, even though mCLoth can get things done, I find the regular Cloth much more stable, but slower), MassFX (the rigid body stuff), Flex (it's impressive what you can do with this modifier for jiggling flesh).

For Hair you are probably better off with Ornatrix. Even though the standard Max Hair can do quite a lot (we've used many many times) I'm not in a position to really advice in this are since I've done very few hair work in Max. But I've seen people doing amazing things even with Bones and Spring controllers, so it really depends on what you're doing.

Re: Create animation for complex character.

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 00:39:28 GMT

yes. As i said - ...secondary of motion..
Thank very for your reply.
*gone to learn tutorials)

Re: Create animation for complex character.

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 09:17:03 GMT

This is also very helpful to me