Working with Biped Motion Files

character studio uses a variety of file formats to save, load, and edit motion.

BIP file (.bip)

The native character studio file format for saving biped motion. A BIP file saves all information about biped motion: footsteps, keyframe settings including limb rotation, the scale of the biped, the active gravity (GravAccel) value, and prop animation. IK Blend values for the keys and Object Space settings are also saved.

See Loading and Saving BIP Animation.
BVH file (.bvh)

The BioVision motion capture format. Typically, BVH files are obtained from motion capture hardware that records the movements of a human performer. Data saved in a BVH file includes both skeletal data, and information about limb and joint rotations.

Note: For the BVH file specification, see the BVH.rtf document on the program disc.
CSM file (.csm)

The Character Studio Marker format. This is an alternative format for recording motion capture data. It stores positional data for various markers on a biped figure.

See Motion Capture Rollout.

Note: For the CSM file specification, see the CSM.rtf document on the program disc.
MIX file (.mix)

A MIX file contains data from the Motion Mixer, such as trackgroups, tracks, and transitions.

See Working with the Motion Mixer.
MFE file (.mfe)

The Motion Flow Editor format saves scripts you create in the Motion Flow Editor, including clip references and transitions.

See Motion Flow Mode.
MNM file (.mnm)

The Marker Name File format matches custom marker names in a CSM or BVH file with the standard, preset marker names used by a biped.

Note: For BVH and CSM file specifications, see the BVH.rtf and CSM.rtf documents on the program disc.
STP file (.stp)

The Step file format saves footstep data. Unlike a BIP file, it does not save keys for the feet or upper body. STP files are ASCII files. The main purpose for this format is to enable developers to write programs that generate step files. Biped can later be used to create keys for the software-generated footsteps.

See Loading and Saving STP Files.

Motion File History Lists

In 3ds Max 9, the file dialogs for Biped motion files include a history list that lets you quickly choose directories where you have recently saved or opened files. 3ds Max maintains a separate history list for each type of motion file.

Note: When you load or save motion flow snippets, or mixer clips through the reservoir, if a file is already specified for that snippet or clip, its directory will appear at the top of the history list, even if that directory was not originally in the history list. If you cancel the load or save of the snippet or clip, that directory will not be added to the history. If you go ahead and load or save the snippet or clip, the directory will be added to the history.