CATMotion Presets/LayersCATMotion Presets

A CATMotion preset comprises the settings for all CATMotion controllers for a particular motion cycle. This data is contained in a CATMotion layer, which is different from the animation layers found on the Layer Manager rollout. You can save and load individual layers using text files with the extension .cmp.

Using CATMotion Layers

Like the 3ds Max CAT Layer Manager, CATMotion has a layers system, only for cyclical motion rather than for overall, frame-by-frame animation. The similarities are:

The layers are evaluated from the top of the list to the bottom, with layers lower on the list taking precedence over previous ones. For example, if the stack contains three layers, named Layer01, Layer02, and Layer03 (in that order in the list), and they all have Weight values of 100%, then the output consists exclusively of the animation in Layer03; the other two are ignored.
If a layer lower on the list has a Weight value of less than 100%, its motion is combined with one or more preceding layers. In the previous example, if the Layer03 weight is 33.3% and the other two remain at 100%, then one third of the motion comes from Layer03 and two thirds from Layer02; Layer01 is still ignored.
You can animate the Weight values to change how the layers blend throughout the animation. For example, say you have two layers: HappyWalk and SadWalk, in that order in the Current Layers list. When the Weight value for SadWalk is 100%, only that motion cycle is used. But if you were to turn on Auto Key and then set the Weight value for SadWalk to 0% at frame 34 (of a 100-frame animation) and then back to 100% at frame 67, then the first and last thirds of the animation would use SadWalk, while the middle third would use HappyWalk.

There are differences, though, especially in the use of the curve graphs in the CATMotion editor. There is only ever one curve for any particular controller, no matter how many layers there are; the curve is the weighted, combined output of all the layers. When you edit the curve, you’re actually editing that combined output. So, for example, if you drag a point on a curve for a track weighted at 50%, with the previous track at 100%, the point will move at only half the rate of the mouse.

Thus, for predictable results when editing curves, set the Weight for the track you’re editing to 100%; you can lower the value later, if you like, to mix the track with those lower on the stack.

ImportantYou can edit values in a CATMotion layer only when the Weight value for the layer is over 50.0% (that is, 50.1% and higher). But, again, for predictable results, always set a layer weight to 100% when editing its components.

Procedures

To load a CATMotion preset:

If you want to replace an existing layer with the loaded preset, highlight the layer to replace in the Current Layers list.
In the Available Presets list on the CATWindow, navigate to the preset to load and double-click its name.
The Options dialog opens.
Choose whether to create a new layer or to replace the existing (highlighted) layer with the new one.

After you load a preset, its name appears in the Current Layers list on the right-hand side of the CATWindow. The name is highlighted, and the preset has a weight of 100%.

The preset is now loaded and in effect.

To remove a CATMotion layer:

In the Current Layers list, highlight the layer to remove.
Click Remove Layer.

NoteYou cannot remove the first layer.

To save a CATMotion preset:

Highlight the layer to save.
Click Save Preset.
Navigate to the desired folder.
Enter a new preset name.
Click Save.

To blend between CATMotion presets:

Animate the Weight value for the highlighted layer.

Tip

To create or edit Weight animation, click the Weights View button on the CATMotion Presets panel.

The rest of the CATWindow is dedicated to editing the selected layer, whether it is a loaded preset or a new, default layer.

Note Before editing a preset, make sure the Preset layer to edit is highlighted in the Current Layers list.

You can load a CATMotion preset successfully onto a rig with any configuration, but not necessarily with ideal results. For example, loading a preset for a four-legged creature onto a biped will likely give undesirable results. It’s important to use sound preset naming conventions.

As with the Layer Manager, the layer at the top of the stack overrides those underneath it. Each layer has an animatable weight to allow blending between presets.