TimeBase 

The TimeBase Helper lets you control what timing should be used to process animations for the attached conditions and operators.

One of the basic ideas behind Non Linear Animation is that an artist can animate an object independently of fixed frames or time values. Once the animation is created, at a later time the animation package will take care of the proper scaling and blending of the motion.

A good example of this would be a flock of birds. The wings of the birds will move according to their relative speed. Let’s say that a "standard" animated wing motion cycle takes 30 frames. But what happens if you need to animate birds in panic? The wings need to move much faster but more or less in the same motion cycle. The same holds true for a slow moving flock - the wing motion would slow down.

This is a perfect NLA situation - using thinkingParticles and the TimeBase Helper, you can scale the timing of this wing move cycle automatically to meet your action needs.

Operator Inputs 

ON - (Bool) This input data stream determines whether the operator is considered 'on' or 'off.' You can connect other operators to this input channel such as a Bool Helper to activate/deactivate the whole operator.

Time - (Time) This input data stream is used to define the local time for the operator when the user wants to override the default system time.

In - (Bool) This input data stream is used as a counter. As long as this is helper is active, the time is added up. As soon as this helper gets a False condition, Time is no longer added up. When it is active again, then the time is reset or continued.

Particle - (Particle) This input data stream reads in the currently selected particle group that is to have its animation timing altered with this helper.

TimeBase - (Integer) This input data stream takes an integer value that represents the Type of TimeBase calculations the Helper will use. Valid input values are 0 through 2, where:

Sum - (Bool) This input data stream is used to override the Make checkbox status within the TimeBase rollout.

TimeFactor - (Scalar) This input data stream is used to override the Time Factor [%] spinner in the TimeBase rollout.

Variation - (Scalar) This input data stream is used to override the Variation [%] spinner in the TimeBase rollout.

Operator Outputs 

Time - (Time) This output data stream sends out the current time value from wtihin the TimeBase Helper to other operators and rules.

Rollout Menu 

Global - Activate this option to use the 3ds Max time for the attached (wired) operators and conditions. This means if there is an animated value (any parameter) the exact key frames and timing from 3ds Max is taken.

DynSet - This option changes the animation time to the DynamicSet time. Each DynamicSet can be animated (On/Off) and so, whenever the status changes from Off to On, the Time starts at frame 0. For example, let’s say that you activate a DynamicSet at Frame 40; this makes all animated parameters of the connected conditions and rules think that the real time is frame 0. This is valid only for the DynamicSet in which the TimeBase helper is placed.

Active - When checked, each time the ON input data stream receives a True condition, the time is reset to 0. For each False condition received, the time is frozen.

Make Sum - Activate this checkbox to add the times whenever the ON input data stream receives a True condition. Whenever the In input data stream receives a True condition, the time value continues to add up. When the In input data stream receives a False condition, the time value remains static.