CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

In this chapter you will learn how to edit scripts and create a hierarchy of actor assemblies from animation actors where they are attached to each other in a logical order. You will also learn how to create more advanced keyframed animation. Topics covered in this chapter include:

• Attaching actors to create assemblies

• Creating keyframes with hierarchy

• Creating actors

• Scripting animation using keyframes

• Previewing animation

• Targeting actors (V8 XM Edition only)

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter you will learn how to create more complex animation scripts and to assemble your actors into hierarchical relationships or actor assemblies. The ability to attach one actor to another is also commonly referred to in computer graphics animation as the parent/ child relationship.

You will also, as in the previous chapter, have duplicate exercises to choose from, depending on the version of MicroStation you will be using. We recommend that if you are starting out using MicroStation V8 XM Edition and have no prior animation experience you skip the exercises for older versions and concentrate on those exercises designated for V8 XM Edition. If you are using an older version, perform the exercises designated for V8. If you are moving from previous versions and have experience using Animator tools from MSJ or V8.5, we recommend that you perform all exercises to learn what has changed and how the tools are different.

All exercises are noted using the following graphic headers to indicate if they are for V8 and prior versions, for V8 XM...