Documentation - Maxscript

Learning > Maxscript > Connection Controllers

Connection_Control : Controller

The Static controllers are: Float_Connection, Position_Connection, Rotation_Connection and Scale_Connection.

These are controllers that are connected to other controllers or tracks. Similar to expression, wire and reaction controllers. But these controllers offer a simpler way of making a connection, by just making a direct connection, or a connection controlled by an Offset/Weight, by a Range, or by a Curve.

- The advantage over expression and wire controllers is that you don’t have to use functions or equations.

- The advantage over reaction controllers is that you can set up the controller individually and not all together in a manager where the task can become very messy the more controllers are in the scene.

- Another advantage over expressions and reaction controllers is that the connection can work in both ways when the user is manipulating the controllers.

- You can also use a time offset that is animatable (expression controllers have tick offset but it's not animatable).

Float Connection Properties

<Float_Connection>.two_way Boolean default: false

Get/set the ability to control and animate the controller's value in both directions, either from the target controller, or from this controller itself.

<Float_Connection>.clamp Boolean default: false

Limits the value to the range set with the input min and max values in the case the transform type is set to "Range", or to the curve limits in case the transform type is set to "Curve"

<Float_Connection>.transform Integer default: 0

Get/set the connection type of the controller:

0 - None.
1 - Offset/Weight.
2 - Range.
3 - Curve.

<Float_Connection>.offset Float default: 0.0

This number will be added to the value that comes from the target controller.

<Float_Connection>.weight Percent default: 100.0

The value that comes from the target controller will be multiplied by this percentage value.

<Float_Connection>.input_min Float default: 0.0

Get/set the input minimum value used in the range transform type.

<Float_Connection>.input_max Float default: 100.0

Get/set the input maximum value used in the range transform type.

<Float_Connection>.output_min Float default: 0.0

Get/set the output minimum value used in the range transform type.

<Float_Connection>.output_max Float default: 100.0

Get/set the output maximum value used in the range transform type.

<Float_Connection>.curve_ctrl maxObject

This is the curve control object that contains the points used in the curve transform type.

<Float_Connection>.use_time_offset Boolean default: 0.0

Enables or disables the time offset value.

<Float_Connection>.time_offset Float default: 0.0

Sets the offset of the given variable to the specified time value.

Float Connection Methods

<boolean> <Float_Connection>.SetTarget <Value>Target [owner:<maxObject>]

Sets the float target. The first argument is the target controller to be connected to the scalar, the second optional argument is the object that owns the target controller. Returns true on success, false otherwise.

<value> <Float_Connection>.GetTarget asController:<boolean>

Returns the target of the float variable. If the optional asController parameter is set to true, the result will be a controller value.

Position Rotation and Scale Connection Properties

<Connection_Controller>.two_way Boolean default: false

Get/set the ability to control and animate the controller's value in both directions, either from the target controller, or from this controller itself.

<Connection_Controller>.use_weight Boolean default: false

Enables or disables the multiplication by the weight parameters.

<Connection_Controller>.weight_x Percent default: 100.0

The x value that comes from the target controller will be multiplied by this percentage value.

<Connection_Controller>.weight_y Percent default: 100.0

The y value that comes from the target controller will be multiplied by this percentage value.

<Connection_Controller>.weight_z Percent default: 100.0

The z value that comes from the target controller will be multiplied by this percentage value.

<Connection_Controller>.use_time_offset Boolean default: false

Enables or disables the time offset value.

<Connection_Controller>.time_offset Float default: 0.0

Sets the offset of the given variable to the specified time value.

Position, Rotation and Scale Connection Methods

<boolean> <Connection_Controller>.SetTarget <Value>Target [owner:<maxObject>]

Sets the float target. The first argument is the target controller to be connected to the scalar, the second optional argument is the object that owns the target controller. Returns true on success, false otherwise.

<value> <Connection_Controller>.GetTarget asController:<boolean>

Returns the target of the float variable. If the optional asController parameter is set to true, the result will be a controller value.