I hate to impose my ineptitude on the masses, but I am in need of general guidance. I am new to 3d studio max, and could use a jump start on the very basics (the sorts of thing I could learn from simply watching a pro use the software, but alas I have no opportunity).

Specifically, my problem is thus: I need to take a number of objects (hopefully later animating these objects, or possibly turning them into bipeds) and move them through a series of points in time. For instance object J might need to be at (10, -22, 0) at frame 30 and (12, -21, 0) at frame 40, and still at (12, -21, 0) at frame 55. I tried using delegates and biped models for this behavior, but the biped wanted to approximate the path within the limitations of the walking animations it had, or the delegates performance characteristics. Also, the path it followed didn't care for where it was at which frame. I care less about where the feet fall as I do that the object/biped is in the right place at the right time.

I plan to use MAXScript to automate this process, but could use a push in the right direction regarding animating something through a series of waypoints.

Here is what I think I know so far: There are 'key frames', and I need to set up key frames at each of these points for each object to hit. I believe there exists some facility to turn a series of points into a continuous line using these key frames, but I don't know what it would be called, or how to get to it. I can't use biped models because they won't be exactly where I need them to be when I need them to be there, so I think it would be better to put an animated object of a person walking in place of the object as it moves (and stop the animation cycle if the figure happens to stop along its series of points).

Now, can someone please tell me how naive I am, and how difficult I am making this task, which to experts like yourselves is relatively simple?

Many thanks!

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