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Assigning Controllers

Every parameter has a default controller type that gets assigned the moment the parameter is animated. You can choose from multiple controller types for any parameter and change controllers after the parameter is animated.

Assigning Controllers in Track View

Assigning an Animation Controller using the Track View (Curve Editor)

One way to assign a controller to any animatable parameter in the Track View Hierarchy List by highlighting track names and then choosing Assign Controller on the Edit menu Controller submenu. Other methods are covered in Assign Controller.

You can assign the same controller type to a selection of multiple parameters as long as all selected parameters can use the same type of controller. For example, you could select the Length, Width, and Height parameters for multiple Box objects and assign the same controller type to them. This is because they all use controllers that work on floating-point data.

If a parameter is already animated, then assigning a new controller has one of the following effects:

  • The existing animation values are recalculated to produce a similar animation with the new controller. For example, replacing TCB Position with Bezier Position closely preserves the animation.
  • The existing animation values are discarded. For example, replacing Smooth Rotation with Noise Rotation discards the Smooth Rotation animation values.

Assigning Controllers Using the Animation Menu

Assigning an Animation Controller using the Animation menu

You can assign controllers using the Animation menu. All the controllers and constraints are available by going to the menu bar, choosing Animation, and then selecting a Controller and picking it from the submenu.
Note: Controllers are only available in the full Animation menu. If you do not see Controllers listed in the menu, select Main Toolbar - Default (or Reset to Default State) from the Workspaces drop down menu at the top right of the UI.

When you assign a controller this way, a List controller is automatically assigned, and the controller you assigned appears as the first entry in the list. This automatic List controller assignment does not occur if you assign controllers using the Motion panel or Track View. Weighted list controllers allow you to blend between various tracks by animating the weights.

Tip: You can use the Animation menu to assign the same type of controller or constraint to several different objects at once. Select the objects and then choose the controller or constraint from the Animation menu.
Note: If an assigned constraint requires designating an extra subject, such as a Path constraint, a rubber-band line extends from the first selected object to the mouse cursor after choosing the constraint. To complete the assignment, position the cursor over a qualifying target object and click.

Assigning Controllers in the Motion Panel

Assigning an Animation Controller using the Motion Panel

You can also assign controllers in the Motion panel, which contains special tools for working with transform controllers. Motion panel controllers have many of the same controller functions as the Curve Editor, plus controls necessary for working with special controllers such as IK Solvers.

Using the Motion panel you can view and work with the transform controllers of a single selected object.

To assign controllers using the Motion panel:
  1. Select an object.
  2. In the Motion panel, expand Assign Controller.
  3. Highlight a Transform in the list. The (Assign Controller) button appears.
  4. Click (Assign Controller) to open the Assign Controller rollout.
  5. Double click a controller in the Assign Controller rollout to apply it to the selected transform.
    6. Tip: You can also right click a transform in the list to open the Assign Controller rollout.

Copying and Pasting Controllers

Rules for using Copy and Paste

  • You can copy only single controllers. Compound controllers like List or PRS Transform controllers are considered single controllers for Copy and Paste operations.
  • You can paste a copied controller into one or more controllers using the same data type.
  • You can choose to make an instance or a copy of the pasted controller.
  • You can choose to convert other controller instances in the scene automatically.
Motion Panel Assign Controller Rollout

Copying a controller from one object to another.

In the Motion Panel Assign Controller Rollout, right-click the controller and select Copy from the context menu, then right-click the controller and choose Paste. You can also
Tip: You can access Wire parameters from the Motion Panel Assign Controller context menu and copy them using the Paste - Wire option.
See Rules for using Copy and Paste, above.
Track View

Right-click any blank area on the Track View toolbars, then choose Show Toolbars Controllers: Track View. This displays the Controller toolbar with buttons for quick access to controller tools.

Click Copy and Paste on the Track View toolbar to copy and paste controllers. For a general discussion of using Copy and Paste, see Copying and Pasting Items.

Curve Editor

Select the controller track to copy, then right-click and choose Copy from the Track View quad menu. Navigate the Hierarchy list to the target object, select the track, right-click, and choose Paste.

Clicking Paste displays the Paste dialog, with three controls for determining how the Paste operation is carried out.

Copy

Pastes the controller as a copy.

Instance

Pastes the controller as an instance of the source controller. Any change you make to either controller will affect the other.

For example, you can paste a box's Length controller as an instance into its Height and Width parameters. This makes the box a cube. Changing either of the Length, Width, or Height parameters changes the other two.

Paste Target: Replace All Instances

When selected, all instances of the target controller receive the paste controller, whether they are selected or not. This keeps all instances of the target controller as instances. When off, the target controller is made unique and the remaining instances are unchanged.

Editing Existing Controllers

To change settings for an existing controller, first highlight the controller in Track View or on the Motion panel, then right-click the controller to open the context menu. If the controller settings are editable, then the Properties command in the context menu will be available and you can choose it to open the relevant settings dialog.

Parent topic: Working with Controllers

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