Autodesk 663B1-05A111-1001 User Guide - Page 113

5 | Nodes and attributes How do I? > Connect attributes with an expression To change the input or output of a connection 1 Point to the connection line in the Hypergraph, toward the connection you want to change (input or output). 2 Drag the line end with the left mouse button and drop it on a new node. 3 Select the attribute you want to connect. Related topics ™ "Connect input and output attributes" on page 112 ™ "Connect attributes with an expression" on page 113 ™ "Break connections between attributes" on page 113 Connect attributes with an expression To connect the value of one attribute to another with an expression • In the Attribute Editor, type an equals sign (=) followed by a MEL expression in the attribute's text box. or • Select the node with the attribute you want to edit and select Window > Animation Editors > Expression Editor. Click the attribute and type a MEL expression in the box at the bottom. For example, to make the translateX value of pTorus1 always equal the translateY value of pCone2, type =pCone2.translateY in pTorus1's translateX box. When you move the cone up and down in Y, the torus moves side-to-side in X. You can create more complex expressions using multiple attributes and MEL's math functions. When you type an expression into a text box in the Attribute Editor or Channel Box and press Enter, Maya then shows the computed value with an purple background. You can't edit values that are the result of an expression. To edit the expression, use the Expression Editor. Related topics ™ "Connect input and output attributes" on page 112 ™ "Connect input and output attributes" on page 112 ™ "Break connections between attributes" on page 113 Break connections between attributes Attribute values that are controlled by a connection have an purple background in the Channel Box and Attribute Editor. Do one of the following: Basics 113