Creatures Modeling

For complex composite models, such as models of people, animals or mechanisms, movement of elements in the space depends not only on their own commands, but also on the movements of the linked elements. For instance, hand depends on the movements of forearm, which in turn depends on the movements of arm, which is dependent on torso, etc.

This task can be simplified by combining elements into groups, starting with the farthest element and up to the body, and by defining the reference point at the rotation point.  
The picture illustrates partitioning of a human model.
(* -  "l" for left side, "r" for right side)

	Now let's see, how the posture of the model, created using this method, can be changed.
Select the required element. TurboCAD will select the group of the topmost level. You can select elements within the group, using the Subselector - Ctrl + Left Mouse Click. If the newly selected element is a group, you can use Subselector again, until you reach the elements, which is not a group. Parent group can be selected by using Shift + Ctrl + Left Mouse Click Now, having selected "Right Leg"(actor r-leg) by the subselector, rotate the leg by the required angle.
Then, use subselector again to select "Right Calf"(actor r-calf) and also rotate it.

Note:
As a result of model changes, "Right Foot" (actor r-foot) has changed its position and slant. However, since these changes were the effect of Parent group changes, Scenario Recorder will track that and will not create redundant commands.

 

Scenario Import / Export 

Having created a model of Runner (Runner.tcw), and having recorded run scenario, we can use this scenario to animate other models.    Using "Save Scenario" button, save the scenario as  Runner.sc.

Note:  Scenario file contains a set of commands for each actor.  To achieve exact transfer of animation to another model, it is necessary to have appropriate body parts assembled in groups in the same manner, as they are in the initial model; they should also have the same Actor Names.
A vast number of human and creature models in 3DS format can be found on the Internet. (See Links) Usually, they have standard posture. For convenience, you can use Scenario Recorder to create a set of scenarios that change the model's posture.
For instance, let's create a scenario for our sample, which changes the model posture from standard to the first phase of running Prepare_Runner.sc	>
Now we have everything in place to make anyone run (anyone who has legs, that is). For example - a skeleton (skeleton.tcw)
1. Open the file in TurboCAD  2. Create actors
3. Load Scenario Prepare_Runner.sc 4. Run Scenario Now the model has the same posture as the Runner
5. Load Scenario Runner.sc 6. Set rendering mode and run Scenario