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vislaw
09-14-2004, 04:39 PM
Although I have considerable experience with other applications, I'm new to Character Studio in Max 6. I obtained a very nice character model fully rigged with a biped skeleton that I want to use with a CSM file that was created in Natural Motion Endorphin. However, when I load the csm file it dramatically shrinks the biped skeleton without correspondingly scaling the character mesh. I assume that my character model was created at a much larger scale than whatever default values are used in the Endorphin program. Since I don't own the Endorphin app I have no option to do any scaling with it. Therefore, I assume I need to either scale the CSM file on import OR I need to scale my character/biped model? May I impose upon you experienced CS users to point me in the right direction? I'm not adverse to slogging through the Max manual but haven't been able to find the answer so far in the reference or tutorials. I did search the discreet site and found a reference to needing to save my biped in figure mode and then having to load the figure file after loading the csm file in order to keep the relationship between the mesh set up with physique and the biped skeleton. However, this does not seem to work for my model.

Thanks for any help or suggestions you can give me. I will keep working with my manual and outside references to see if I can find the answer myself, but if I cannot find the answer I'd sure appreciate if someone here can help out a CS newbie in need.

Mark Johnson
evandavies
09-14-2004, 04:54 PM
Scaling is usually problematic but I think you can do it like this:

Apply the CSM mocap...

Click on "figure mode" (stick man button)

At the bottom of the rollup there is a tab called "structure" in there is a height parameter.

When done turn off "figure mode" by clicking again on the button.


Give it a try, hope it works...

Evan
robinb
09-14-2004, 05:24 PM
Actually this is dead easy to solve. First load the csm onto your biped- it will shrink and look funky, but don't worry about that. Then save out the animation to a .bip file- there's no scale issues in these. Then reload your original scene and load the new .bip file onto it- voila. Hopefully it should stay the same size. This way of course the animation is scaled to your character, which is usually what you want. evandavies approach does the opposite- scaling your character to match the animation (which you usually won't want to do if you've made your model to the same scale as other objects you're planning to use it with.At least that worked for me for something similar ages ago.
vislaw
09-14-2004, 06:04 PM
Superb! THANKS a million for that tip. Bless you for taking the time to respond.

Mark
robinb
09-14-2004, 07:33 PM
Hey, no problem. :)
s2a-adamk
09-16-2004, 09:14 PM
Man, that is awesome. You saved me too.
Thanks,
a
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