In a Physique Situation - Need Help!

#1

I started modelling my first Human Character last week. Within hours I nearly completed a female figure…I was happy with myself. So, I decided to pause and give the character some life…enter physique. Motivated by scores of recommendation for the Physique modifier, I plunged into the Biped-Physique combination. Results? Yes…FRUSTRATION!

I found the physique envelope sub-level difficult to setup. Maybe there is something I am not doing. After much tweeking, I got some smooth deformation for most places except the chest, shoulder and back areas. This is where I got stuck.

I really want my model to deform smoothly. What am I missing? Below are links to my results (pictures of the model before and after physique) and a link to download the MAX Scene (Version 7) .

 1. [Character Front at Neutral Pose](http://www.geocities.com/onye_2/cgtalk/Xpixs/physique-neutral.jpg)
 2. [Character Rear at Neutral Pose](http://www.geocities.com/onye_2/cgtalk/Xpixs/physique-neutral-02.jpg)
 3. [Front with Physique Deformation](http://www.geocities.com/onye_2/cgtalk/Xpixs/physique-problem-02.jpg)
 4. [Rear with Deformation](http://www.geocities.com/onye_2/cgtalk/Xpixs/physique-problem-01.jpg)
 5. [Download the Scene and look at the situation](http://www.geocities.com/onye_2/cgtalk/Downloadables/Physique-Problem.zip)

Feel free to use the model…well, you’ll need a head, hands and feet. I’ll appreciate some information (tips) on the other hand. I was also wondering, “Should I flee from Physique and test ‘Bones’ instead?” Where can I get good tutorials on ‘Bones’?

#2

First off Physique is old and gray and just shouldn’t be used IMHO. It hasn’t been updated since Max 3. Skin if a far better choice with far more control, there is also excelent tuts that ship with Max that cover how it is used. You can also have a look at my 3rd DVD where I cover how it is used. Skinning is a black art and takes time to learn.

#3

Your comments on Physique is quite revealing… didn’t know its the same old thing. I thought Version 4.2 was recent. I have tried the Skin Modifier too. Three things bother me about that modifier.

1. Skin does nothing on the object when applied after a Meshsmooth modifier. I got results after collapsing the stack. That makes work difficult. Its always helpful to leave the base model (Editable Mesh) down the Stack for adjustments with the Meshsmooth over. I applied Physique after smoothing without problems — Well, there was a reduction in PC perfomance I must admit.

2. Since I’m animating a character for the first time, I’m wondering how to use Skin and Morphing together and still be able to adjust the Morph targets independently

3. Physique took care of walks and strides. Is there a way of getting same results easily with Skinning (…you know, having the character’s feet anchored on ground, …no slides etc.)?

…ABOUT THE 3RD DVD. HOW DO I GET IT?

#4

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