Introducing 3ds Max® 9

Chapter 8. Introduction to Animation

The best way to learn how to animate is to jump right in and start animating. You will begin this chapter by picking up the Mobile exercise from Chapter 2, "Your First Max Animation," and adding animation to the shapes of the mobile. You'll take a good look at 3ds Max's animation tools so you can start editing animation and training your timing skills.

Topics in this chapter include:

• Hierarchy in Animation

• Using Dummy Objects

• Bouncing a Ball Using the Track Editor

• Track View

• Anticipation and Momentum in Knife Throwing

Hierarchy in Animation: The Mobile Redux

Do you remember way back when you were reading Chapter 2? Those were good times, weren't they? After setting up the mobile in that exercise, you animated only ...