To Use the Bones System

This topic provides short step-by-step procedures for basic usage of the bones system.

Create a bones system:

Note: A basic bones system is a hierarchical "chain" of bones, connected end to end, which you create with one command.

On the Create panel, click (Systems). On the Object Type rollout, click the Bones button.

Alternatively, use Create Bone on the Bone Tools > Bone Editing Tools rollout. Commands for creating bones are also available on the Create menu (Standard) and Objects menu (Enhanced).
Click anywhere in a viewport to start a bone.
Move the mouse to define the length and direction of the bone, then click to finish the bone and start a new one connected to the first. The second bone becomes apparent only when you move the mouse after clicking the second time.
Move the mouse to adjust the second bone. Continue clicking and moving to continue creating the bone chain. Each new bone is connected to its forebear, and is its hierarchical child.
Right-click to finish the bone chain.

3ds Max creates a small “nub” bone at the end of the hierarchy. This bone is used when assigning an IK chain. If you are not going to assign an IK chain to the hierarchy, you can delete the small nub bone.

The first bone you create is at the top of the hierarchy. The last bone you create is at the bottom. To work with object hierarchies, use the Hierarchy Panel.

Creating a simple chain of three bones

Create a branching hierarchy, such as legs branching from a pelvis:

Create a chain of bones, and then right-click to exit bone creation.
Click Bones (or Create Bones) again, and then click the bone where you want to begin branching. The new chain of bones branches from the bone you click.

Warning: The behavior of a branching bone hierarchy is not always intuitive.

Note: You can also use Select And Link to connect one bone hierarchy to its branches. However, except for this one special case, using Select And Link with bones is not recommended. To edit an existing bone structure, whether branching or not, use Bone Tools instead.

Create a bones hierarchy with an IK solver automatically applied:

On the Create panel, click (Systems). On the Object Type rollout, click the Bones button.
On the IK Chain Assignment rollout, choose an IK solver from the drop-down list.
Turn on Assign To Children.
In a viewport, click and move to create the bones. Right-click to end bone creation.

After you finish creating the bones, 3ds Max applies the chosen IK solver to them.

Edit a bone's appearance:

Select a bone.
Go to the Modify panel.
Change its settings on the Bone Parameters rollout.

Note: You can modify only one bone at a time this way. To modify several bones at once, use the Bone Tools feature.

Change bone lengths after they’ve been created:

Note: Repositioning a bone affects its length visually. More important, it affects the bone’s pivot position. The length of the bone is only a visual aid drawn between each bone’s pivot point to the next.

Choose Animation menu > Bone Tools.
On the Bone Tools dialog, click Bone Edit Mode.
Move the child of the bone you want to change. The length of its immediate parent changes to reach the child bone.
When you are finished editing the bones, turn off Bone Edit Mode.

Add fins to bones:

Fins can help you visualize bones' orientations, and can also help to approximate the character shape.

Select a bone.
Choose Animation menu > Bone Tools.
Select the bones to which you want to add fins.
On the Fin Adjustment Tools rollout, turn on Side Fins, Front Fin or Back Fin.
Adjust the size and appearance of the fins with the appropriate spinners.

Note: You can also add fins to an individual bone on the Modify panel.