User:Wingdisk

3DS Max Character Studio
3DS Max A powerful animation system that enables you to animate, use motion capture and access to other tools such as crowd. I have used the majority or 3D programs such as Alias, Softimage, Lightwave, and I keep coming back to 3DS Max because I believe the features rock solid. Character Studio is a powerful set of tools within 3DS Max. The first being the Biped.

Why am I doing a Wiki about Character Studio?
I am writing about Character Studio because I am worried that with Autodesks purchase of Maya, Motion Builder and Softimage, that it may at some point in the future be phased out.

The Biped
The Biped is a predefined hierarchicaly linked bone system that you use to drive a (polygon mesh) Character. The Biped is a very flexible character animation tool. The biped can be animated using forward kinematics Forward Kinematics or inverse kinematics. In previous generations of 3D software it was difficult to mix Forward or Inverse Kinematics in the same.

Methods of Animating a Biped
A Biped can be animated in a freeform style using Inverse/Forward kinematics. You can use a footstep system with the Biped. In footstep mode you layout individual footsteps and the Biped will follow them. The most useful task I've found for footsteps is making your character walk up stairs. Motion Capture Motion Capture is Character Studios strongest suite.