Quaternion/Euler Rollout

Select the biped > Motion panel > Quaternion/Euler rollout

This rollout contains options to switch between Euler or quaternion controllers on biped animations. These choices offer alternative ways to control an animation in the Curve Editor. For more details, refer to Working with Euler Curves on Biped Animation.

Procedures

To switch between quaternion and Euler rotation controllers:

Create a biped.
Turn on Auto Key.
Select the biped's upper arm and rotate it so it extends forward.
Go to frame 20 and rotate the upper arm so it extends sideways.
Go to frame 40 and rotate the upper arm back to its original orientation.

From left to right, the biped at frame 0, 20, and 40.

In the Motion Panel, on the Quaternion/Euler rollout, notice that the Quaternion option is active by default.

Note: If you change options for that biped limb, your choice is preserved in the 3dsmax.ini file, from which it is restored after a scene reset or session change.
On the Biped Apps rollout, click Workbench to open it.

The animation is displayed as three separate TCB rotation curves labeled “Quaternion Rotation”.
On the Quaternion/Euler rollout, choose the Euler option.

The curves have been converted to display Euler controlled rotations. You now have access to the curve's tangent handles to change the curve's interpolation.

The animation is displayed as three separate Euler curves labeled “Tangent Euler Rotation”.
Choose a different axis ordering from the Axis Order drop-down list (under the Euler option).

The curve display changes to reflect the new ordering while preserving the biped posture.
Choose the Quaternion option to convert the curves back to a TCB interpolation.

Note: Converting a curve from Euler to quaternion can affect its interpolation. See Working with Euler Curves on Biped Animation for details.

Interface

The following options set the rotation controller for biped animations.

Quaternion — Converts the selected biped animation to quaternion rotation. If the biped selection has not been animated yet, this starts as the default option.

If you change options for any biped limb, your choice is preserved in the 3dsmax.ini file, from which it is restored after a scene reset or session change.

Euler — Converts the selected biped animation to Euler rotation.

Axis Order — Lets you choose the order in which the Euler rotation curves are calculated. Availabe only when Euler is active. Default=YXZ.

Changing the ordering reflects on the curves, which are modified accordingly. However, this change does not affect the animation itself.

Note: This setting is independent of the Workbench Axis Order setting.