looping mocap data

[cristoforo]

Probably something very simple, but cannot figure it out. I'm applying the mocap data files to the axyz people. Some of the files are very short, like walking down a stair, and need to be looped. though, I cannot figure out how to loop it??? Can anyone help me out! thanks!

[jonahhawk]

you can loop a point cache. A point cache will be less load on your scene than a bunch of bipeds walking around.

[MoonDoggie]

motionmixer in 3dsmax is probably what you're looking for

[cristoforo]

I use the point cache all the time....though I did not see an option to loop the movement. Where is that?

[jonahhawk]

I'm not in front of Max now... but I believe that you set the playback to "Use Curve" or "Use Graph" or something like that. Then just set the curve out of range in the curve editor.

[cristoforo]

I tried setting the playback type of the point cache to playback graph, but in the curve editor nothing shows up. there is nothing to apply the out range to?

[jonahhawk]

Sorry about that. I was not in front of my workstation.

Assign a Linear Float controller to the Playback frame. Create a key for frame 0 with a value of 0 and a key at the end of your playback length with a value of the same.

If your pointcache is 327 frames long, set a key at 0 with value 0 and a key at frame 327 with a value of 327.

You may have to adjust the start frame to get your loop to work correctly if you didn't account for this in the original animation. if your first and last frames are exactly the same then you need to remove one of them on playback so that the loop plays smoothly.

[cristoforo]

Thanks for your help. I did exactly as you said and the animation plays but without any loop to it? the curve editor shows the dotted line of the out range area....but no loop. I do not get it? though, I found another way to loop it with motion flow tools. A bit complicated but works. thanks again!

[jonahhawk]

Select the keys then:


Select Loop:


The curve should now look something like:

[gilpo]

This tip just saved me tons of work. Thanks!

[jonahhawk]

Good! I'm glad I could contribute to the community. I've learned soooo much here.