Select

The Control->Select command in the Actor module allows you to assign a control to the selected object or chain joint. You can assign more than one control to an object.

For more information, see the Animating with Dynamics section of the Animating User's Guide.

Note:

When you use two non-default gravities on an object, the average value of the two is used.

Procedure

Before you assign a control to an object, you must do the following:

• Assign physical properties to the object using the Dynamics->Physical Properties command.
• Display the desired control using the Control->Get Special Control command.

You should also (if necessary):

• Define the object's or chain's response to dynamics using the Dynamics->Option Setup command.
• Assign joint properties to the object using the Dynamics->Joint Properties command.

1. Select the object to which you want to assign a control.
2. Choose the Control->Select command.
3. Pick the displayed control icon.

Tip:

You can select a control for many objects in a single operation using the Multi menu cell.

The following is a description of how each control is linked to an articulated chain (in the case of a hierarchy of objects, the control is always assigned to the root):

• Gravity is assigned to the whole chain (chain root), even if a single joint has been selected.
• Wind or a fan is assigned to all joints in a chain, even if a single joint has been selected.
• Force is assigned to the selected joint. The force's point of application is the joint's centre of gravity.
• A nail is assigned to the selected joint.

Last updated 03-apr-1998