With two paths, a weight of 50 on each would keep the object aligned between them, where a weight of 100 on one and 0 on the other would result in the object traveling exactly on the fully-weighted path. The Path Constraint dialog shows how the new constraint system allows for weighting between goals. New Manipulator objects offer you configurable on screen control for objects. Manipulators exist in the viewport rather than in a control panel, giving animators immediate access to controls. The Wire Parameter function lets you wire any parameter or parameters to a Manipulator as well as to each other.
Parameter wiring can be one or two way, and allows expressions to modify the connection.
The combination of Parameter Wiring, Manipulators, visual Max script and other user defined controls lets users create complete, interdependent systems of animation in 3ds max, without needing to be a coder. Along with improved IK comes a new approach to bones. In 3ds max 4, bones are parametric, geometric objects. That is to say, bones have geometry and parameters that allow you to create a skeleton that corresponds volumetrically to its skin and can be rendered. Interaction with the environment and even other characters can be animated with the skeleton alone, eliminating the need to deform skin in realtime.