1. Method for operating a powertrain system including a hybrid transmission device, an engine, and a plurality of torque machines connected to an energy storage device, the transmission device selectively operative in one of a plurality of transmission operating range states to transfer power between the engine and the torque machines and an output member, the method comprising: implementing a powertrain control scheme including a first control scheme operative to determine a preferred engine input speed and a preferred transmission operating range state, a second control scheme operative to determine a preferred engine operating point, and a third control scheme operative to determine an output torque command and motor torque commands for the torque machines; executing the first control scheme to determine the preferred engine input speed and the preferred transmission operating range state based upon an operator torque request and a present output member speed; determining a present engine input speed; executing the second control scheme to determine the preferred engine operating point based upon the operator torque request, the preferred engine input speed, the present engine input speed, power costs and the preferred transmission operating range state; commanding engine operation based upon the preferred engine operating point; determining a present engine operating point and a present transmission operating range state; and executing the third control scheme to determine the motor torque commands for the torque machines based upon the output torque command, the present engine operating point, and the present transmission operating range state.