Manually keyframe fur movement

 
 
 

If you want precise control over fur movement, you can keyframe fur curve attractors manually. The following procedure describes just one method of keyframing. For more information about keyframing, see Keys in the Animation guide.

To manually keyframe fur curve attractors

  1. Create static hair curves and attach the hair system to the fur description. For details, see Create a hair system to be used with fur.
  2. Modify the attractor set attributes, as required. For details, see Change fur curve attractor set attributes.
  3. Turn on Auto Key by clicking at the bottom-right corner of the Maya main window.
  4. Display the start curves by selecting Hair > Display > Start Position.
  5. Go into component mode.
  6. Move the CVs. You may find it useful to turn on Lock Length (Hair > Modify Curves > Lock Length).
  7. Select all the CVs and key their position.
  8. Go to a new frame and move CVs again.
  9. Repeat as required.
  10. Click the Play Forward button to check that the attractors are moving the way you want the fur to move.
  11. Fine-tune the movement of the attractors, if necessary.
  12. Render the animation. See Render an animation with fur.