Simple Mesh Animation

Development Asset Creation
1

This may be a stupid question but since I am unable to find a tutorial anywhere for what I need I have to ask.

I have created a mesh in 3ds max that is a Electrical Cabinet with knife switch on the side to turn power on for some lights or whatever. Is it possible to use the key frame slider in 3ds max to create an animation for the switch to move when I give it a player input? I am very new to this animation stuff since I just modded on the source engine for the last 6 years so I never made any props or animations. I want two animations, one called idle_off and the other turn_on. I would like to go up to the cabinet and press “E” for example, and activate the turn_on so it will move the switch. Then have the ability to turn it back off.

Thanks

2

Sure, you can do that. You can also animate it inside the editor if you bring those parts in as separate pieces then attach in a BP.

3

Ok thanks, Which way would be the easiest way then… separate pieces or as one piece?

4

Check out the tutorials on Matinee. That’s what you want to use. You export the parts and then use BP to set up the interaction or whatever then animate the parts using matinee. When the character interacts with the object the Matinee will play.

5

No, Matinee is restricted with Level Blueprint.

You’ll import the power box and switch as separate pieces, and make sure the switch’s pivot is set at its base where it should rotate around. Also set their positions at 0,0,0 in Max. Then create an actor BP with the power box. Then add the switch as a static mesh component. Finally set it’s rotation with a Timeline. When the timeline plays from start it will turn on, when it reverses it will turn off.

6

Ok, Thanks! I have watched the tutorials for doing the BP method, I just wasn’t sure if this was a better method than doing my animation in 3ds max. Looks like I will stick to the BP method.