Lesson 3: Using 3D Motions

1. Create a new project.
   
2. Apply prop templates from the Content Manager into the working area to build the scene.
   
3. If you need more props which can not be found in the library, then simply drag and drop prepared media (image or SWF files) to the working area.
   
4. Click the Prop button from the pop-up panel to turn the media into a scene prop.
   
5. Arrange the props to build an ideal scene.
   
6. Drag and drop a character from the library to start the runway show.
   

Before applying any motions to the character, you need to first set the moving path and the timings for different phases of the entire walking duration.

1. Go to the start frame of the project and transform (Rotate, translate and scale - RTS) the character out of the scene.
   

   Note:

   If you want to see anything out of the scene, then you need to set the Safe Area value to show the non-exportable area surrounding the necessary scene for exporting. Please refer to the Project Settings section for more information.

2. Go to the time frame when the character is designated to move to the center back of the runway, then transform it accordingly.
   

   Note:

   In this case, the character is designed to go to the center in 4 seconds, which equals to 120 frames. (1 second = 30 frames)

3. Open the timeline and in the character's Transform track, you may see two keys which form the green path line, as shown in the above illustration, on the working area.
   

   Note:

   Since the character needs to strike poses right after the walk, a still position for the posing of 1.5 seconds (45 frames) must be made.

4. Go to the certain frame and then double click on the cell of the time to add a new transform key with identical data kept inside of it.
   
   Alternatively, you may click the Add Key button on the tool bar of the timeline to add a new key for the current status.
5. Repeat the same steps to create a green moving path with another two posing stops.
   
   Play back to view the result of the path.

After the motion path is determined, you are able to apply motion clips and change the angles to the character.

1. Go to the start frame of the project. Make sure the character is selected.
2. Double click on the Walk_Female template from the Animation Template >> Motion >> 3D >> 01_Move library.
   
3. Open the timeline and the 3D Motion track of the character and loop the motion clip by dragging the right edge of the clip bar.
   

   Note:

   Please note that the length of the looped motion can exceed the time frame for the first stop of the character because the later clip overlapping on it will be in charge of the character's motion.

4. Go to the time frame when the character starts to strike poses for the first time and apply the Normal_Female template from the Animation Template >> Motion >> 3D >> 02_Idle library.
   
5. The idle motion clip overlaps the looped walking motion on the track.
   
6. Repeat the same steps until desired motions are applied to the character throughout the entire project.

At the end of the last step, the character's perform is always facing the camera, which causes an odd results for it to come in, walk out or move toward the rear of the runway.

Since these motions are from the 3D motion libraries, you are free to change the angle of the character without destroying the motions.

1. Go to the start frame for the character to walk in.
2. Open the 3D Motion Key Editor by clicking the 3D Motion Key Editor button on the Functional Tool Bar.
   
3. Drag the angle slider to turn the character to an appropriate direction.
   
4. Repeat the same steps to change the direction for the walking motion right after the other two posing motions.
   
5. Optionally drag and drop a music clip onto the working area and click the Background Music button on the panel to convert the audio into a background music.
   
6. Playback to see the result.