For us to better understand how to apply some new techniques we will animate the closing of the grill as referenced earlier:
1. Load the "Version 5 Close Grill" project found in the code bundle. This is a version 5 project file:
2. Select the male character. Right-click and choose Edit Motion Layer from the Motion Menu option.
3. Click on the Reach Target button at the top right of the edit Motion Layer dialog.
4. Click on the selector circle on the right hand.
5. Use the Eyedropper tool and click on the Box_001 prop on the grill handle.
6. Click on the Reach To button and check the Reach Object checkbox at the bottom then click OK to continue. Close the Edit Motion Layer Dialog.
7. Select the grill prop.
8. Right-click on the grill prop and select Close Top from the Perform menu. You'll notice it looked great until he went through the floor at the end of the motion.
9. Move the time scrubber back to the first frame.
10. Select the male character and check the Foot Contact checkbox in the Avatar section of the upper-right menu.
11. Replay the animation and you will see that our character now bends at the knees instead of going through the deck.
12. Return the time scrubber to the first frame.
13. Select the Box_001 prop and turn its visibility off by unchecking the Show checkbox in the Scene Manager or by clicking the OFF button in the visibility section of the right menu panel.
14. With the box still selected, position the hand to fit the grill handle.
15. Save the project:
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We used the Human IK system combined with an invisible dummy to allow the built-in prop animation to drive the character's movements. The dummy was used as a means to control exact placement of the hand. The grill prop did an excellent job of animating the hand and body. All that is left for us to do now is clean it up, with some adjustment of the hand and body position.
Using the Box_001 dummy adjust the hand position on the handle as it the top closes. Add the Fist or Grab hand motion to the right hand and extend it to play until the grill top is closed. Move the time scrubber back and forth stopping and correcting the hand position of the handle.
Use the Move and Rotate tools with the Edit Motion Layer dialog to straighten up his final stance if you don't like the look of the knees bending. This could also be corrected by creating a new motion after closing the grill, that releases the character's hand from the handle and straightens him up into a better standing position.
This was a lot easier and smoother than we were able to accomplish in version 4.31. As you go through the 4.31 exercises, think about how to apply the new methods to animating the main project, as well as using the existing methods outlined in Chapter 4, Animating the Characters.