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3 Dimensional Chat / 3DS Max Bug: Distorted Geometry When Animating Linked Objects - Solution

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MjG0001
13
Years of Service
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Joined: 19th Jan 2011
Location: U.S.A. - Indiana - Cedar Lake
Posted: 22nd Nov 2011 00:46 Edited at: 22nd Nov 2011 04:59
3DS Max 2011 v13 Users:
Bug Solution / "Distorted Geometry When Animating Linked Objects"


If any of you are using 3DS Max to build levels and characters you may have run into the problem of distorted geometry when animating your props and characters when using linked objects. This is for those small jobs that don't require CAT or something unique that has intricate structure or movement.

Example: You create an 'arm' with a 'shoulder pivot / cylinder', 'arm', 'elbow pivot / cylinder', and 'forearm' and when you rotate the elbow joint it and all the objects below it become wildly distorted.

The Cause: The parent object was un-uniformly scaled ( the x,y,and or z axis was not scaled uniformly ) and the children have inherited the scalar data, which distorts when they are re-positioned / animated.

Solution: Before beginning, be sure to un-link all geometry. In the 'Hierarchy' Tab ( Third tab over, "big box connected to three little boxes" icon ) In the 'Adjust Transform' window under 'Move/Rotate/Scale:' You'll see the 'Don't Affect Children' command button. Select the offending parent geometry and then click this button. It should be dark grey indicating that this function is enabled. Now, in the 'Reset:' window click the 'Transform' and 'Scale' buttons. Now click the 'Don't Affect Children' button again to disable this function. The children will no longer inherit scale data from the parent, and will no longer distort when moved. Now re-link all your geometry and begin animating.

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