Track View

You create animation by setting keys on specific frames and allowing 3D Studio MAX to interpolate the animation on frames between your keys. Track View contains the tools to view and edit all the keys that you create, and to set the methods used by 3DS MAX to interpolate between those keys.

A total of 13 Track Views can be named and stored in the Track View buffer for later recall. Track Views are stored with the .max file.

Use Track View to perform the following tasks:

• Display a list of everything in your scene and their parameters.
• Change key values.
• Change key timing.
• Change interpolation between keys.
• Edit ranges of multiple keys.
• Edit blocks of time.
• Add sound to your scene.
• Create and manage notes about the scene.
• Animate object visibility.
• Change the behavior of the animation outside the range of keys.
• Change controllers for animated parameters.
• Select objects, vertices and hierarchies.
• Navigate the Modifier Stack in the Modify Panel by clicking the modifier items in the Track View hierarchy list.

Note: Tracks are created for animated vertices in Track View. A Bezier Point3 controller is the default vertex interpolation controller.

Choosing Track View Edit Modes

You choose an Edit mode by clicking one of the Edit mode buttons in the Track View toolbar. Each mode has its own uses; of the five modes, you will probably spend most of your time in the Edit Keys and Function Curve modes.

How To

Put Track View into Edit Keys mode:

• Click the Edit Keys button on the Track View toolbar.

The Track View toolbar buttons to the right of the Lock Selection button change.

Edit Keys is useful for getting a global view of your animation because you can display animation timing for all tracks. Use this mode for key and range editing when you want to view your changes in context of the total animation.